New announcement. Learn more

Guarantee servicesDog training outcomesGuarantees in dog trainingBehaviourPremackDogs and chasingPrey driveDogs and poultryDogs and ducksDogs and geeseDogs and chickensDaycareDoggy DaycareMovementHealthy dogsEvidence basedJoint supplementsJoint HealthPulling on the leadSafe equipmentPullingEquipmentHarnessesAppropriate puppy playPlay stylesPuppy behaviourPuppy classesPuppy playSniffingUsing a long lineTraining skillsLong leashCritical distanceSelf rewarding behavioursDogs diggingNatural behavioursDiggingHuman emotionsAdding to the familyTeeth cleaningChewingDental seaweedWellnessTeethPrimary reinforcersHealthy treatsFood for trainingTraining treatsThreshold levelsStress in dogsDog developmentYoung dogsFear stagesFear periodsReframing ReactivityDog reactivityCandlesPuppuchinoDog cafesDog mannersCafe etiquetteCafe behaviour for dogsCore vaccinesCanine wellnessCanine vaccinationsTitre TestingDog anxietyDog behaviourDog body languageDisplacement behavioursPuppy growth platesStairs and puppiesPuppy safetyPuppy growthGrowing puppiesRaw feedingNutrient balanceRaw feeding puppiesReactivityTrigger stackingArousalDog walkingWalking dogsGuarding itemsPuppy aggressionResource GuardingDogs in carsTravelling with dogsCar sicknessPlay growlingFearful dogsGrowling dogsFeeding bones to dogsRaw bonesFresh Food FeedingFeed freshCarotenoidsCarrots for dogsFresh feeding for dogsCarrotsOver ArousalDog AggressionRedirected AggressionScared dogsChanging associationsThunderstormsRelaxingZen zoneSafe placeChoiceRest zoneCanine body languageVisitors to the homeDogs meeting new peopleDogs and strangersFeeding dogsMultidog householdPuppy trainingAdolescent dogsPuppy licenseDog trainingDiet and exerciseTired dogDog downtimeDog exerciseReactive dogsMuzzles
TAGS

Growth Plates and Puppy Exercise

Growth Plates and Puppy Exercise

Growth plates are the soft areas that sit at the ends of the long bones in puppies and young dogs. They contain rapidly dividing cells that allow bones to become longer until the end of puberty. In a developing puppy, bone formation begins in the centre and at each end of the growth plate. Gradually, the growth plates thin and close due to hormonal changes approaching puberty. In puppies, this closure is normally completed by approximately 18 months old. However, it can be earlier in smaller breeds. A puppy’s bones are also softer, not reaching their maximum density until after puberty.

As the growth plates and bones are soft, they are vulnerable to injury, so it makes sense to protect these areas in puppies, but how?

Exercising your puppy for 5 minutes per month of age is very common advice, however, is not based on any evidence. Teaching pet parents what to implement and what to avoid from a physics perspective is much more effective.

For example, appropriate exercise such as a gentle meandering sniff walk, free play (where a puppy can rest when needed while exploring) or careful exploration of safe surfaces, could safely go on for more than 5 minutes, whereas a puppy could do damage by racing around the yard and jumping off a retaining wall in under 1 minute.  

The focus should be limiting high impact and uncontrolled exercise such as:

·         Jumping from a height

·         Sharp turns

·         Repetitive exercise (ball chasing, long walks/hikes)

·         Slipping on surfaces (polished floors/tiles)

·         Climbing up and down stairs

It’s important to learn the signs of fatigue in your puppy when exercising. Reluctance to move or slower to respond to cues are some, but fatigue can also be displayed as over arousal such as fidgeting, jumping up/nipping. Young puppies often can’t self-regulate so we need to step in, give them a break and make sure they are safe. From a behavioural perspective, a young puppy’s mental capacity and ability to process the environment should be taken into consideration – we often see puppies not able to concentrate after about 20 minutes.

Lack of exercise can be just as big a problem. There is no evidence that appropriate, safe exercise causes damage to the growth plates of puppies. Movement helps bone tissue get stronger and exercise is essential for normal musculoskeletal development as gradual mechanical loading is required for the stimulation of bone growth and metabolism. Normal safe puppy play and exploration helps to develop muscle, ligament, tendon, bone, and cartilage strength as well as coordination and proprioception.

Using a controlled and mindful approach to exercise/exploration is what we recommend puppy parents focus on.

More reading:

https://www.mylamedog.com/post/what-is-the-logic-behind-not-exercising-puppies-until-the-growth-plates-are-closed

https://www.pawsitivestepsrehab.com/blog/all-about-puppies/

https://vetfolio-vetstreet.s3.amazonaws.com/mmah/48/37155337d24e34963af2fc8e4cdce3/filePV0709_Von-Pfeil_P1.pdf