BONES AND HOW THEY DEVELOP

In my New Owners Info, I touch briefly on patella issues that can arise, and state that my vet says that most causes are 95% environmental.  Meaning those cute jumps up and down on the couch, bed or chair can cause issues.

What new owners need to keep in mind is that for the development of bones its takes around nine to twelve months to complete, and this is not just for Chihuahuas.

Have a look at the above image – this image shows a pup around the age of 12 weeks old.

At this young age, their bones do not even touch yet.  

Puppies will race around with wobbly movement and look super uncoordinated and its because their joints are muscle, tendons, ligaments with a skin covering. Nothing fits tightly nor has a true socket as yet.

When you run a puppy excessively or don’t restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during their growth stage, you really aren’t giving them a chance to grow correctly.  

Every big jump or excited bouncing causes impacts between the bones.  Every now and then there will be no stopping the puppy and look, that will come down to general wear and tear, but letting them have free reign and consistently racing around jumping off things or going on long walks at this stage in their life is going to damage the forming joints.

Just like children you only get the chance to bring them up once.  A well-built body on a dog comes from excellent breeding AND a great upbringing.

You will have heaps of time to enjoy more high impact exercises as you dog ages and matures... so remember new puppy owners consider developing bones!