Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a lab puppy, 10 weeks old, his name is Mac. He is wonderful, sweet, laid back. Everything about this dog seems perfect but I am worried about his hips. Both his parents are certified, but it's no guarantee. He seems lazy altogether as he plops down wherever, whenever. Always sits sloppily and seems uncoordinated in his hind end. Has a lot of trouble with stairs, etc. At this age they are always clumsy and when he is active he has no problems. Bad hips or not, does anyone know when I can start him on glucosamine supplements? If he's ok, I am hoping to gain an advantage. I am having him vet checked on the 30th.

>>I have a lab puppy, 10 weeks old, his name is Mac. He is wonderful, sweet, laid back. Everything about this dog seems perfect but I am worried about his hips. Both his parents are certified, but it's no guarantee. He seems lazy altogether as he plops down wherever, whenever. Always sits sloppily and seems uncoordinated in his hind end. Has a lot of trouble with stairs, etc. At this age they are always clumsy and when he is active he has no problems. Bad hips or not, does anyone know when I can start him on glucosamine supplements? If he's ok, I am hoping to gain an advantage. I am having him vet checked on the 30th.
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There is a new procedure that can only be done on young puppies, that is felt to completely correct the hips. Check with your veterinarian and a specialist your veterinarian refers you to, and have his hips evaluated. If he's showing signs this young, you could make a profound difference in his life by getting an early assessment.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Can you tell me anything about the procedure? He has an appt on the 30th. BTW, I saw on your post that you wrote a book about therapy dog training? He is a future therapy dog, seems to have a great attitude for it, easy to train. Any links or info you can give regarding early training would be much appreciated!

>>Can you tell me anything about the procedure? He has an appt on the 30th. BTW, I saw on your post that you wrote a book about therapy dog training? He is a future therapy dog, seems to have a great attitude for it, easy to train. Any links or info you can give regarding early training would be much appreciated!

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I believe the procedure uses heat to reshape the hip joints and how they will grow. It seems to be effective, and is much better for the dog than the more extensive TPO they can do in young dysplastic dogs prior to the development of arthritis, or full hip replacement they can do later for some dogs. Time runs out on all these procedures. Each has just a window of time in which it can be successfullly done. Checking your dog out early is very, very wise.

I wrote some things in the Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinarypartner.com about early training of therapy dogs. I think there's a long one in the question and answer section of the series. The book also covers training from the time you get your prospective therapy dog puppy on through the dog's whole career. The message board for therapy dogs here in PetHobbyist/DogHobbyist is a good place to ask questions, and of course you're also welcome to email me directly. I even have my email address in the book, because I'm very happy to help anyone who wants to volunteer with therapy dogs. And there's an excellent Yahoo list for therapy dogs that I participate in, with the very best list moderator I've ever seen!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com