restricting activity in HD?

[debbiej]

we've had Boris about 5 months now. one of my reservations about keeping him at first was I didn't want Hilda to have undue stress on her bad hips. But she holds her own, often Boris lays down to play fight with her, or if she is tired, she lays down or tells him to get lost. But honestly I don't think her hips are bothering her any more than before we got him, and in fact, I think she is stronger in her hindquarters. I have been very careful about how and where they play, but limiting the 'wildness' is getting old. Boris is pretty good about wild play, and she is usually the instigato, but he is very strong and they can play pretty roughly. I don't let them play in our back yard, which has a lot of different levels. I would feel terrible if Hilda damaged herself somehow from rough play, but sometimes I feel like a nervous, overprotective nag as I watch them play and keep it from getting real rough. any thoughts?

[lblax]

my thoughts are only you know how your dog feels and her limitations..

[debbiej]

true, I guess I can gradually increase the amount they are allowed to roughhouse and watch her....

[Tank's Grandma]

Debbie,
Tank has corrected HD on one side (TPO surgery) and uncorrected on the other side. He's 22 months now, and Jake is 11 months.
I let them play out in the backyard however they want to, but our yard is basically flat, but if you watch them, sometimes you'd think you're watching WWF or some sort of rottie demolition derby. This play includes both of them running full speed into the same dog house at once and back out again....but what I've learned watching them, both in the house, and out, is Tank will pretty much limit himself. When he's had enough, he will just go lay down and let Jake know to knock it off. He has never come up lame (knocking wood here now) or limping or seemed any worse for the wear. Cold weather seems to bother him more than playing with Jake. I keep him lean, he is all muscle, and feel the exercise is better for him than just being a couch or pillow potato. And we'll take it day to day, year to year.
But like Larry said, at the end of the day, you're the one that sees your dog and knows your dog.