Safe or right age to start training with bicycle in endurance?

[yukidomari]

I was always told that large breed puppies should not have strenuous exercise until they are grown up and their bones have matured. Including dogs that compete in agility, because a lot of running or jumping with young joints could cause damage.

I am wondering what is the right age to start bicycling with Vlcaks. I would like to train with our Vlcak, but obviously not too soon if it might harm him.

What are people's thoughts about this? It seems like walking is not enough for him anymore and the park is not always an option.

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by yukidomari

I was always told that large breed puppies should not have strenuous exercise until they are grown up and their bones have matured. Including dogs that compete in agility, because a lot of running or jumping with young joints could cause damage.

I am wondering what is the right age to start bicycling with Vlcaks. I would like to train with our Vlcak, but obviously not too soon if it might harm him.

What are people's thoughts about this? It seems like walking is not enough for him anymore and the park is not always an option.

Well, I am not a specialist, but... I think you can simply start introducing the dog with the bicycle. It doesn't mean that you have to ride 20km first time you sit on it, but training a dog to run nicely near it, maybe for a km or so would not make harm But it is just my opinion. Also try to allow dog to run on the grass while you are riding - soft surface is better than the hard one...

[GalomyOak]

My guys weren't completely grown in height until at least 12-13 months, and definitely much later until their bodies were "mature". Even Corgan still has a teenage look (slowly filling out). I don't usually jog or bike mine until around 14-16 months. Maybe just a very short, slow distance after 6-8 months, to socialize to a bike. I live on dirt roads and forest floor though, so there are no problems with pavement. My trainers will work a GSD or Mal gradually after one year. Is there anyone with a yard in which you could play ball with him offleash? I admire the brave folks that can live with a young CSV in a city environment!

[yukidomari]

If only there WERE grassy areas!... Then LA would be half as ugly..... Unfortunately, that's not possible here in Los Angeles. I'll have trouble finding biking routes on pavement much less grass or dirt... i don't think it's legal here to bike on the sidewalk. Bikes are considered vehicles that share the road with cars..(on a specially marked shoulder). Grass is in such short supply here that whenever our Csv sees any he feels an obligation to roll around in it..

Of course, he's been introduced to the bike and biking attachment and so, but I suppose I'll wait for any actual distance until later, since we just have concrete.

PS.. The first part applies to lawns as well...

[Vaiva]

Originally Posted by yukidomari

If only there WERE grassy areas!... Then LA would be half as ugly..... Unfortunately, that's not possible here in Los Angeles. I'll have trouble finding biking routes on pavement much less grass or dirt... i don't think it's legal here to bike on the sidewalk. Bikes are considered vehicles that share the road with cars..(on a specially marked shoulder). Grass is in such short supply here that whenever our Csv sees any he feels an obligation to roll around in it..

Of course, he's been introduced to the bike and biking attachment and so, but I suppose I'll wait for any actual distance until later, since we just have concrete.

PS.. The first part applies to lawns as well...

Hm, difficult place to live... You should start running yourself...
Also my dog used to get tired after training - seems like mental work makes them more tired than running or so. Maybe also some toys would be helpful? Not like kongo where a dog has to work by himself, but smart ones, like here:
http://www.nina-ottosson.com/
These are also recomended when a dog is injured or can not move a lot at the moment.

[yukidomari]

Originally Posted by Vaiva

Not like kongo where a dog has to work by himself, but smart ones, like here:
http://www.nina-ottosson.com/
These are also recomended when a dog is injured or can not move a lot at the moment.

Also we have some toys like these. We brought them for our old arthritic dog... They are not from Ottosson but another company, but the concepts are similar.

[tupacs2legs]

Originally Posted by yukidomari

I was always told that large breed puppies should not have strenuous exercise until they are grown up and their bones have matured. Including dogs that compete in agility, because a lot of running or jumping with young joints could cause damage.

I am wondering what is the right age to start bicycling with Vlcaks. I would like to train with our Vlcak, but obviously not too soon if it might harm him.

What are people's thoughts about this? It seems like walking is not enough for him anymore and the park is not always an option.

i bike with mine...but didnt start till he was 18 months and not a day before.(before then i took him swimming)
but i also agree mental stimulation is far more tiring.

eta.. i live in London,we are not 'supposed' to bike on pavements either...but we do, and as long as we are considerate we dont get told not to.

[yukidomari]

Thanks all! Course we do train, take him to training, and he has lots of toys and dogs to play with, but mental exercise is not really a complete substitute for physical exercise.. I think both are needed for overall health.

On the weekends when we have more time, we usually drive the 80km or so to 'the countryside'...for now, I guess I'll continue to drive him to the local dog run weekdays. I'd rather be safe than sorry.