Wood Floors

honeybear · 12-20-2007, 08:52 PM

I was wondering if anyone knew if it was bad for a growing puppy to be running on hardwood floors. I have an 8 month lab/poodle mix that loves to play fetch. Its pretty cold outside right know so staying outside for a long period of time is kind of not an option. I don't mind playing fetch inside we have a pretty big open area to play in I'm just concerned because of the hardwood floors and when she goes to retrieves she slides all over the place. Does anyone know if this might contribute to joint/hip problems in the future.

Inga · 12-20-2007, 08:57 PM

Sure, Anytime one slips and strains the muscles and joints it can be a problem. One thing I do for puppy is take him to Pet stores and do a lot of indoor walking. I also work obedience a lot also and that helps to wear him down. Winter is hard and sliding on the ice and snow is also a problem. I just hope I can avoid any injuries with my little guy. I am still carrying him up and down stairs and that is getting increasingly difficult. LOL Doing what I can to save the joints.

Dieselsmama · 12-20-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inga

Sure, Anytime one slips and strains the muscles and joints it can be a problem. One thing I do for puppy is take him to Pet stores and do a lot of indoor walking. I also work obedience a lot also and that helps to wear him down. Winter is hard and sliding on the ice and snow is also a problem. I just hope I can avoid any injuries with my little guy. I am still carrying him up and down stairs and that is getting increasingly difficult. LOL Doing what I can to save the joints.

I carried Ella up and down the stairs until she was a little over 50 lbs., not b'cause of her joints as much as it was for her refusing to go up or down the hardwood stairs b'cause they were slippery LOL, finally got fed up with it and put carpet runners on each tread, presto majico Ella went up and down the stairs

. She's 65+ lbs now and I still lift her in and out of the back of my outback wagon. I'd probably do it for Charlie too but he's always in too much of a hurry to get in.

Inga · 12-20-2007, 10:17 PM

My back is not what it once was. LOL I don't think I will be able to keep this up for too much longer. He even begs to be carried on our walks when he gets tired. LOL

briteday · 12-21-2007, 12:32 AM

Also, keeping the hair between the pads trimmed close will help prevent some of the slipping on the hardwood. I can always tell when our girls need to be trimmed when they slide through the kitchen during a game of fetch!

RonE · 12-21-2007, 06:49 AM

It can be Hell on the floors, too.

My dogs seem to stay outside longer now that there's snow and it's colder. Finding tennis balls in the snow is a special challenge. Is it the dog who doesn't want to stay outside or you?

I'm not trying to be rude. When I got my first dog in years in Wisconsin, I had to buy a whole closet full of winter gear. Some days, I could barely move when I'd go outside. I had so many layers, I HAD to stay out for a while to make it worth the effort.

The dog, on the other hand, would romp around like it was a lovely spring day - especially if he had company.

honeybear · 12-21-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonE

It can be Hell on the floors, too.

My dogs seem to stay outside longer now that there's snow and it's colder. Finding tennis balls in the snow is a special challenge. Is it the dog who doesn't want to stay outside or you?

I'm not trying to be rude. When I got my first dog in years in Wisconsin, I had to buy a whole closet full of winter gear. Some days, I could barely move when I'd go outside. I had so many layers, I HAD to stay out for a while to make it worth the effort.

The dog, on the other hand, would romp around like it was a lovely spring day - especially if he had company.

It's mostly me. I have 4 children 2 which are young so when I go out with Honey it not only entalls me getting ready but the whole bunch. Honey on the other hand could and would stay out all day if I was out there. I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it through the winter. But I like Inga's idea about spending a good amount of time at the pet store working on obendience training.

Dieselsmama · 12-21-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeybear

It's mostly me. I have 4 children 2 which are young so when I go out with Honey it not only entalls me getting ready but the whole bunch. Honey on the other hand could and would stay out all day if I was out there. I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it through the winter. But I like Inga's idea about spending a good amount of time at the pet store working on obendience training.

Maybe an afternoon "Mother's helper" could be found to give you an hour or so to spend out romping with the pup, I always feel so good after a good long romp through the snow or game of "find me,catch me" with my dogs. It's such an amazing stress buster, and with 4 kids I'm betting you could use a stress buster LOL