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  #1  
Old January 24th, 2005, 09:01 AM
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going up stairs bad?

Is going up stairs bad for a dog?

I was thinking of exercise options when I get a dog, and was thinking (as I live in an apartment building) that on the cold days it would be nice to take the dog to the first floor and run up the 10 flights of stairs to our apartment! I know this wouldn't be good for little dogs, but I was thinking about it if we got a bigger dog, i.e. a lab or something like that.

It wouldn't hurt their back would it?
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:18 AM
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IMHO,running up 10 flights of stairs might be a bit much on a dog.Especially if they are not carpeted.They can slip and fall down the stairs.And if it's a young Lab,then I would say it's not a good idea.A friend of mine has a Great Dane.They lived in an apartment before they got their house.They lived on the 14th floor.Taz was young at the time.But Tracey would never think to let Taz run up all those stairs.What she would do is take the elevator to the 11th floor and walk up the rest.

Same with GSD's.At a young age they should not be running up and down the stairs alot.My cousins GSD ended up with Panosteitis.It was brought on by going up and down the stairs.Something she didn't know.Lets just say the vet bill came out to $3000.

Like I said,this is just my opinion....You will have many more opinions to come......
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:31 AM
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That's the kind of info I was looking for. They are not carpetted. And the dog we are getting won't be young, so I don't know if that makes a difference (I could see how it wouldn't be good for a puppy, but what about an adult dog?)
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:36 AM
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I still think it would be a bit much for an older dog.Taz wa 2 by the time Tracy moved into the house.So even at that age she didn't let him go up all those flights of stairs.
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:37 AM
lil_kirk lil_kirk is offline
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Larger dogs can do ok outside for a quick jaunt around the block. While staying outside for long periods of time is not good--they do have a better tolerance than we do for the cold. If he/she will let you, you could even put a little fleece coat on to help insulate the heat during the walk.
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:42 AM
OdinAndAlan OdinAndAlan is offline
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So would going up a flight of stairs of 14 or 15 steps or so be ok for a GSD?
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lil_kirk
Larger dogs can do ok outside for a quick jaunt around the block. While staying outside for long periods of time is not good
Very true..

But with the -25 and -30 temps that we have been having,I have only let Tron out to do his buisness then it's back in the house.He has a bit of arthritis,so he needs to keep warm.The cold just makes it worse for him.When I had Yukon,it was the same thing,in and out.The Humane Society has been issuing warning for pets in these temps.They where even saying that even though you put a coat and booties on them,their ears are still exposed and they can get frost bitten.So if it's to cold for you,it's just as cold for them.As for Tron,he's more happier crashed on the couch then going outside...LOL
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OdinAndAlan
So would going up a flight of stairs of 14 or 15 steps or so be ok for a GSD?
How old is the GSD?

I raised 2 at the age of 3 months.I lost my one in Sept.And with what happened to my cousins GSD,I made sure there was no going up and down the stairs alot.
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Old January 24th, 2005, 09:50 AM
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There is a dog hat you can buy from chilly dogs

http://www.chillydogs.ca/Chillymuff.htm
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Old January 24th, 2005, 10:03 AM
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Now that's kewl.........

But then again it all depends if the dog will let you put it on......LOL
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Old January 24th, 2005, 10:06 AM
lil_kirk lil_kirk is offline
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That is so cute!! I wonder how he feels about it though heheh!
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  #12  
Old January 24th, 2005, 04:50 PM
OdinAndAlan OdinAndAlan is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mona_b
How old is the GSD?

I raised 2 at the age of 3 months.I lost my one in Sept.And with what happened to my cousins GSD,I made sure there was no going up and down the stairs alot.
He's coming up to a year in mid February.
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Old January 25th, 2005, 09:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OdinAndAlan
He's coming up to a year in mid February.
He should be ok....Just don't over do it.Panosteitis can start from roughly 5 months to a year old in age.But most cases vets see is when they are about 5 months.
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Old January 25th, 2005, 09:36 AM
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Rachel just remember when you get your dog do some research on the breed(s) and see if they are predispositioned to HD or luxating patellas or any other hip or knee problems and that should help partially in your decision. But I would maybe do 3 flights with the dog. Also the stairs can be slippery
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Old January 25th, 2005, 05:22 PM
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At this moment, I don't even want to think about going down stairs!
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