i make my 10-month old male dalmatian run while i bicycle on the tar roads. he is on calcium supplement.?

Question

what precautions should i take so that he doesn't get injuries or strains his muscles? i also give him Omega-3 oil for his skin.
am i doing the right thing by making him run? (only started this routine yesterday!)
by running on hard surfaces, will he develop permanent injuries, joint problems etc?
since he is running on tar/concrete roads, does he need any additional supplements (such as joint lubrication? etc)
he enjoys every moment of his running and usually make him run for about 15-minutes while i bicycle.
i feed him on lamb and rice in the afternoons and Pedigree (formulated pellets) at nights. would be grateful for tips.

Answer 1

If your Dal has a genetic history of CHD, he will rapidly develop the disease at the rate you're exercising him (which is exacerbated by heavy exercise early in life, oversupplementation for rapid growth, and genetic predisposition). Do NOT supplement with calcium. Oversupplementation will only encourage rapid growth, which will actually weaken your dog's body. In fact, it's wise to feed less calories overall so that your dog will grow slower and remain trim. Your dog will still reach its full height but at a slower, healthier pace.

At this point, he does NOT need any supplement. Just feed him a good food, like Wellness, Pinnacle, Canidae, Innova, etc., and provide low-impact exercise like swimming, leash-walks, moderate jogs, and fetch.

Lastly, if you want to bike with your dog, consider having x-rays of your dog's hips done at 12-24 months. Better safe than sorry!

Answer 2

I wouldn't make him run,he' s still a puppy,and it could harm his joints.Long walks and letting him fetch tennis balls and other toys would be better,and swimming,if he likes it.Dalmatians DO need a lot of exercise ,as it helps prevent the formation of kidney stones,which Dals are notorious for.Also,make sure he drinks a lot of water.There were two Dalmatians at my vet yesterday - belonging to two different owners,and they both had stones.There was a 16 month - old male who was only 25 lbs.,because he wouldn't eat,as he was in such pain from re-curring stones.So,you might want to do a diet change,and STOP the calcium supplement - the dog doesn't need it,and it could cause him to develop stones.
Here is a link to an article about Dalmatians and stones.

http://www.aplus-flint-river-ranch.com/article-healthydalmatiandiet.php

Answer 3

10 months is too young. My breeder said not to do any heavy exercise until he is at least 2 years old. Now, my dog is a golden retriever, known for hip and elbow problems. Ask your vet and look up the breed.

Also, I don't know where you are, but were I am it is HOT, tar is very hot on dogs feet.

Use a better food such as Pinnacle or Eagle Pack.

Answer 4

I wouldn't run a 10 month old puppy with a bike.. And I would NEVER EVER supplement with Calcium. Running on hard surfaces is as hard if not harder on dogs than it is on people... More supplements aren't going to make it any easyer.. Sure he likes running, but it's very hard on growing bones and joints..

Oh yeah if you are going to exercise him like that.. Wait, til he is finished growing.. BUT feed him a quality food.. he isn't getting enough nutrition to be an athlete.. Pedigree doesn't provide sufficient nutrition to a dog that lays around 24/7

Answer 5

I wouldn't do that kind of strenuous exercise with the dog until his growth plates have finished growing together... Usually around 2 years old... Playing around and running during that play is fine, but not flat out running for 15 min straight. I'd wait on that until he is older. You'd hate to cause joint problems later on that could be avoided.

Good luck.

Answer 6

10 months is too young as you already heard. I used to bike with mine on a dirt path but I waited until they were a year and a half, plus I also started off on short runs and worked it up over the course of several months, not hitting long runs until 2 years of age. How did your dog do on a first run? I always had to start off very slow and sort of teach them to stay away from the wheels

Answer 7

10 months is too young to take a dog running - his joints are still developing and it is too hard on him at this stage. Wait till age 18 months and run with him yourself (not on a bike) slowly starting with just 5 minutes and gradually increase. Like humans, dogs need to train up slowly or they can get injuries.

Like all kids, puppies will overdo it and not realize it but they can still get hurt.

Edit - I agree with DP - Pedigree is junk food.

Answer 8

Ask you vet! And by the way have you talk to your vet
about kidney stones. I was told by my vet when I carried my spayed female Dalmatian in for her checkup and vaccinations that "males"
are bad at getting stones! Just a heads up:-)

Answer 9

the lamb & rice is probably junk too if it comes from the gocery store or WM

it is much too hot just about everywhere to be running any dog like that & he is much to young as they have said.

he can also be burning his feet on the road.

Answer 10

I would say he would be fine. Running him is a ton more beneficial than any negative problems. He may end up with some joint problems later on, but supplements aren't really going to fix that. Same thing as if you ran on pavement all the time. Tar roads are not as hard as you think- they are a lot softer than cement.
If you can, try to vary it by going on trails in the woods- makes you work as well, easier on his feet, and more interesting scenery than just in the city