To much to soon?

    • Gold Top Dog

    To much to soon?

    I have a short question, but I don't think there's a short anwer.
     
    First, let me say that there's no fenced in parks or dogs parks in my area... 1.5 hour drive to Burlington for the only 2 dog parks I've found in the state... Anyway, because Maddi's a malamute, I still don't dare let her off lead in even the most rural wooded areas because, well, I'm afraid I wouldn't see her for a week in the best of circumstances. This leaves either a drag line, which is a pain in the butt and a hazard when Maddi gets the zoomies (which is a common occurance). This leaves a completely fenced in tennis court near by. The only problem I foresee is that Maddi is not quite 20months old. I was wondering if it was too soon to take her in it and let her run it several times a week or if you guys think she's old enough?
     
    Thanks for any input!
    Becky
    • Gold Top Dog
    I say "Let 'er fly!"  Let the girl have a good run and play some fetch, but be sure you help her stretch (yes, just like you would ^_^) before you allow her to run.
     
    Also, I'm guessing this court is cement or that weird rubber stuff.  In other case, be sure to watch her carefully while you play, because even dogs with great structure can get sore joins running on hard sufaces since there is no "give" like on grass.
     
    It's like when you go for a 6 mile jog on concrete, and your feet hurt after, because your body can't absorb the shock from the pavement
    • Gold Top Dog
    we do the tennis court thing once in awhile just to let our huskies have some off leash freedom..

    i totaly agree about stretching excersizes before play time...

    i start by sitting my dogs down,taking the front legs one at a time,and straighten and lift a couple times while massaging from foot to shoulder..then i get them to stand and pull the back legs gently back and forward a few times while repeating the massage ...i then stand behind them,and work my fingers up thier sides and spine from tail to head in a massaging method.

    the dogs love it..lol..and sit still and enjoy it...till they get it in thier heads they want thier bellies rubbed and lay down..lol

    i wouldnt let my big dog run full out on such a hard surface either.is there a lake or water nearby where you can take your pup swimming on a really long lead..?

    swimming is the best if you can get pup in the water..
    • Gold Top Dog
    That's too bad! It must be really tough trying to keep her active.
     
    I am not sure that I would want to take my dog to exercise at the tennis court on a regular basis.  Aside from it being a hard surface but tennis players don't appreciate it (my friend does this with her cocker spaniel and when her dog went into zoomies mode instead of coming, the tennis players tried to hit her with their racket)
     
    I live near a golf course so I sometimes take my dog their at night during the warmer months and anytime in the winter.  We skijor in the winter so I incorporate that into our summer activities as well.  Aside from that agility has been great for him.  He used to get 2-3 hours off-leash time each day but agility has made him way more toned then he used to be with all that off-leash time. Even if you aren't interested in agility, if there's a trainer who offers green fee's they may be happy to let you pay a fee to exercise your dog in their field (instead of doing agility).
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks for the info [:D]
     
    i wouldnt let my big dog run full out on such a hard surface either.is there a lake or water nearby where you can take your pup swimming on a really long lead..?

    swimming is the best if you can get pup in the water..   

     
    I agree on this, especially during these warm months. The only real problem is that I have to GET in the water with her for her to swim for any length of time [>:]. She also dries out real poorly and gets the "doggy odor" to her... the odor itself isn't real big deal to me, but I'm afraid of her getting somekind of skin infection from being wet for so long (hours, minimum). I do, however, try to get her out swimming at least once a week. I also try to get out and do a 2-3 hour hike a week... but as I'm sure you guys know, she's still full of energy.
     
    In the winter I think I'll be better off as I do plan to skijor with her as well as snow shoeing. I've also tried the long lead at a local ball field, but she always gets the line wrapped around her back leg.
     
    I guess I'm going to have to start getting creative, huh?
    • Gold Top Dog
    I've used a tennis court for exercising my dogs before. Unfortunately I can't use the ones in my neighborhood anymore because people complained about dogs in the roller hockey court. It kind sucks because first, I would always take my dogs and leave if someone else wanted to come in, and as far as I know, so did everyone else with dogs who used it, and we always cleaned up after our dogs, unlike the kids who play hockey in the court or skateboard there. The court was being destroyed before, but at least people with dogs would pick up some of the trash and what not. Now that we can't take dogs there, it's a big mess. The fence is destroyed in parts, and the door is ripped off. Ok, end of rant.
    Anyway, if you don't over do  it, and  you leave  when  someone wants to play tennis, it shouldn't be an issue. However, letting your dog run around while people play tennis is rude and annoying. Plus, people coming in could open the door and let your dog out by accident, which they probably do not want to do. I always found it best to ask people to give me a minute before opening the door so that I could catch the dog and go.
    • Gold Top Dog
    gus is only 4 months and he plays at the local dog park...and tennis courts...that is the youngest age they will let in.
    • Gold Top Dog
    However, letting your dog run around while people play tennis is rude and annoying. Plus, people coming in could open the door and let your dog out by accident, which they probably do not want to do. I always found it best to ask people to give me a minute before opening the door so that I could catch the dog and go.

     
    I would most definately leave. I try to go in earlier in the morning or toward dark after the park gates are closed so I don't disturb anyone that might be playing... also so no one sees us and complains [:D].