Conditioning

[aamericanappliance]

Well I will start off by saying im no expert but I have had dogs for years. Learning the anatomy and physical structure of dogs is important when conditioning your breed. To me a dog is not physicially ready for serious conditioning till around 18 months. There can be serious repercussions (hip-joint problems) to name a few. With this is mind i walk my dog and allow them to play with each other or a spring pole. Does anyone have thoughts about this or insight? I aslo am a big fan of raw feeding.

[RileyRoo]

not a good idea with a bulldog breed to let them play together imo..
I don't condition either.. my dogs just play.

I'd say 24months when they are fully mature and done growing

[Leon]

Conditioning is a general term, and hand walking can be considered a good conditioning tool, and you can do that as soon as they get their last set of shots.

[...Sydney...]

depends on your idea of conditioning and what you are conditioning for...

[MCS]

Conditioning is a general term, and hand walking can be considered a good conditioning tool, and you can do that as soon as they get their last set of shots.

Hand walking is an excellent way to condition. I have been hand walking Daisy since she was aprox 12 mos. and spring pole since she was about 16 mos. she always cand have all 4 feet on the ground if she chooses.

[OldfortKennels]

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Conditioning is a general term, and hand walking can be considered a good conditioning tool, and you can do that as soon as they get their last set of shots.

Very true, we start "conditioning" at 12 months. All this means to me at that time is regulating their weight and body fat to muscle ratio. Does not mean heavy work outs or extensive walking but maintaining a relative healthy weight.

[Dansgrizz]

To truely condition you must have a goal, to be conditioned that means your dog has reached it's maximum potential for that goal...

[RileyRoo]

I was told on the other forum that I couldn't start conditioning Riley till she was 2...so I guess I was given false information. why is that? I was told low impact like flirt and handwalks, fetch and some springpole until she was 24months then I could start the mill, longer walks and extra stuff

[green machine]

some people have different views on it ,thats why, your safe anywhere between 12m-18m, imho

[RileyRoo]

ah, thank you.
It confuses the hell out of me when I see people say 24months, to 12months to you can start them off at 6 months with low impact to NO 24months NO NO 12months NO 18months and the vicious cycle continoues all over again.
with all the scattered info I get I just went with my own guideline and will wait for her to turn 2 and fully mature until I start to really condition her to be on the safe side.

better safe then sorry and it gives me more time to read up on certain keeps I am interested in following

[...Sydney...]

yeah but with those people that are saying "24 months" do you see them waiting this long?

I say use your best judgement, Roo, I don't think you are gonna do anything to harm your dogs...just don't over do it. Keep an eye on them, and know when it's time for a rest. Also be sure to give them days off.

[RileyRoo]

I don't believe they abid by their own sayings most of the time with the 24mnths but I am sure no harm is done with me keeping up with our basic things we always did. I just upped it a tad to match her energy levels now.

Mon-Thur: walk, fetch, flirtpole, Springpole sometimes and after at night she likes more fetch before bed.
Fri-sun: rest days

[aamericanappliance]

You are right! Thats why I posted my poll. There is so much information out there. Who is wrong -who is right! If you are a responsible owner you want to do the right thing for your dog while at the same time maximizing their potentials. I try to take in all the info and make a decision for myself .

[CASH]

To truely condition you must have a goal, to be conditioned that means your dog has reached it's maximum potential for that goal...

Im with Dan. Whats the end result that your looking for? What are you doing with your dog will help determin what kind of conditioning needs to be done. Dogs playing together makes them use all kinds of musels but is the risk worth the reward if the decide to fight.
Hand walking, long sprints, jumps, and swiming are all things that can get your dog in better condition.
As far as age goes the are not fully developed till around 2 years old so moderate programs should be fine but its really going to depend on your animal.

[CHATNJACK]

Well I will start off by saying im no expert but I have had dogs for years. Learning the anatomy and physical structure of dogs is important when conditioning your breed. To me a dog is not physicially ready for serious conditioning till around 18 months. There can be serious repercussions (hip-joint problems) to name a few. With this is mind i walk my dog and allow them to play with each other or a spring pole. Does anyone have thoughts about this or insight? I aslo am a big fan of raw feeding.

aamericanappliance;

Exactly what are you wanting to condition your dog for? Registry sanctioned conformation show ring competitions, registry sanctioned weight pull competitions, registry sanctioned treadmill competitions, registry sanctioned hang time competitions, State department of natural resources legal feral hog hunting, ect, or? Could you be more specific please?

YIS
CHATNJACK

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.

[kg420]

Dosia is not 24 months old yet but I conditioned him and got him ready for the next show. He turns 2 on October 31st but I do work outs and get him in shape for show condition if we are going to show. This is the of the last pics I took of him after a work out, he could use more muscle mass, wich we are working on, But by the next show he should be looking twice as good as this

http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy320/Cali-girl420/002-1.jpg

[Peanutsmommy]

I think you need to know what you want to do with your dog and know the proper way to condition them for that event. If you are just wanting to condition them for the sake of being healthy and in good shape then you can do that pretty young because most of that is going to be little more then playing with your dog on a regular basis. If you want to condition your dog for sports then it might depend on what sport and what is needed of them and I think that can vary.
Peanut I started with at about 8 months for just general healthy in shape. He is 2 years old now and we are going to start getting involved in some activities so we are doing a little more daily (for him it is daily swims right now).
also i think a lot of people need to keep in mind a healthy balanced diet when they are "conditioning" their dogs. a proper diet is essential when conditioning a dog.
knowing your dogs limits and recognising the signs that the dog is getting too much and needs a break is also important IMO.

I guess I don't really feel there is ONE right age to begin working with your dog. There are several factors you need to consider when beginning to train your dog just like if you were to begin training yourself.

[aamericanappliance]

Really I just wanted to know others opinions. I believe everyone has something they can say to maybe help the next person. I havent been to a show yet but I plan on attending one just to see how they go. I have some very good dogs. I also have one more ofrn boy that is 5 months. Thank you for all your great info. Hope to keep in touch. Very nice boy. Check out my pics of my girls. they are 11 months old an there names are peanut butter & jelly.

[aamericanappliance]

He looks good.

[aamericanappliance]

aamericanappliance;

Exactly what are you wanting to condition your dog for? Registry sanctioned conformation show ring competitions, registry sanctioned weight pull competitions, registry sanctioned treadmill competitions, registry sanctioned hang time competitions, State department of natural resources legal feral hog hunting, ect, or? Could you be more specific please?

YIS
CHATNJACK

.
.

I was just asking for a general opinion of what everyont thought. I havent done any hunting or shows with these dogs yet. I

[aamericanappliance]

Im with Dan. Whats the end result that your looking for? What are you doing with your dog will help determin what kind of conditioning needs to be done. Dogs playing together makes them use all kinds of musels but is the risk worth the reward if the decide to fight.
Hand walking, long sprints, jumps, and swiming are all things that can get your dog in better condition.
As far as age goes the are not fully developed till around 2 years old so moderate programs should be fine but its really going to depend on your animal.

Sorry I was talking about litter mate sisters. They grew up together. Besides my first two grew up together as well and they played together constantly for years. I believe its how long the dogs have been together and to what extent. I dont feed them at the same time and I am an obiedience type of person.

[Dansgrizz]

OntDOn't believe everything u think, it'll get u in trouble.

[chris mercer]

I know this was said before but it depends on the type of training and duration. If you'll look at Julie K. she is training her pups to jump. I've had my dogs in the woods before their six months old. This is the foundation for good muscle and bone growth, plus mental stimulation. It's a lot easier to train your dog to a treadmill while they are a pup and it's all fun to them. Just don't over do it. Bones are still growing. I start swimming my dogs as soon as they can float and their eyes are open, but I make sure they aren't in a position to fail and scare themselves. You may have to get wet with them. I really think walking is good for both you and the dog but as a serious cardio workout and muscle conditioner I think it may fall short for the performance dog. Dan, I kept looking for six weeks on the poll.

Chris Mercer

[Stevechaos13]

Ive raised pits for over twenty years now and its always been part of the socialization and development of rules early on to exercise your dog daily and during these times you establish your dominance over your dog which in turn earns his respect and there fore discipline is gained along with trust. These dogs develope over a two year period so its crucial to get there development started early- althought this does doesn t mean to over load them early. I run and lead my dogs with toys on the end of a pole and play tug of war as early as four months and by this time my dogs are already sitting shaking and staying.anyone out there from the san antonio area

[versatile]

not a good idea with a bulldog breed to let them play together imo..
I don't condition either.. my dogs just play.

I'd say 24months when they are fully mature and done growing

24 months is too late.

[versatile]

i started taking mine hunting at 4-5 months. this way they cover ground with their parents and they get sturdy fast. but they also were weaned at 3 months (i took care of my bitches teats meticulously) and they were fed the barf/raw diet.

[aamericanappliance]

Well everyone i am back with an update an to introduce my newest family addition stone/geises red d-bo who will be 1 march 9. p/b an j have been doing very well on their raw diet and weekly conditioning. All of them love to work. We get about 20 miles aweek running, 4 hours a week swimming in my pond, just introduced to light weight pulling(20-40 lbs}1/4 to 1/2 mile 2-3 times a week, an they rome free in my yard an play daily.Let me know what u think about my work in progress. p/b an jelly are both 17 months old.

[aamericanappliance]

Well everyone i am back with an update an to introduce my newest family addition stone/geises red d-bo who will be 1 march 9. p/b an j have been doing very well on their raw diet and weekly conditioning. All of them love to work. We get about 20 miles aweek running, 4 hours a week swimming in my pond, just introduced to light weight pulling(20-40 lbs}1/4 to 1/2 mile 2-3 times a week, an they rome free in my yard an play daily.Let me know what u think about my work in progress. p/b an jelly are both 17 months old.

[MCS]

Dog in the two pics on the right W/ the red collar, looks real nice. Which on is that? Looks like ur doing a good job keeping they active and fit.

[aamericanappliance]

Dog in the two pics on the right W/ the red collar, looks real nice. Which on is that? Looks like ur doing a good job keeping they active and fit.
Acually they are two sisters. The one by the ac is peanutbutter and the other red one is her sister jelly.They are 17 months old. Keep an eye on my boy he is only 11 months old an will surely develop very nicely.