Am I killing my dog?

GreaterDane

HI there, sorry to bother you but I was rather disturbed by a statement my mother made today. She told me that my dog would be the first yorkie to die of heart failure at the age of 2 years. Her reason for saying this was because i dont treat my dog like a little lap dog that shouldnt be excersized. I take my girl (7 month old purebred yorkshire terrier, girly girl) On hikes through the woods, just short 15 minute "hikes" that consist of us pretty much just running through the woods and jumping over rocks in the trails. I take her for a 10-15 minute walk to pick up her friend (A german shepherd dog) and then i bring both the girls up in my yard (i hve 6 acres of land) and they chase each other around until the get tired. When shes ready i play soccer with her, and she accually do challenge me when we play soccer cause' she likes to push the ball with her nose/mouth at full speed. I know people say that this could be bad on joints and stuff, but she loves it, and i find that she isnt happy unless she gets all of her excersize daily. Shes a dog that loves the outdoors and loves the woods and loves to chase GSDS. lol..

Sorry for rambleing, but now you know our routine, do you think shes going to die really early because shes so active? Its really scaring me to think about it. I know that small breed like yorkies can live up to 20 years, and im afarind that i will decrease her chances of living a long healthy life by giving her what she wants. Do small dogs live so long because most peaple think taht because they are small they dont need excersize? Should i just give up with all the exsercizing even though she truley loves it. I mean, She got spayed a few weeks ago and she wasnt allowed to do much for 10 days and she almost went crazy being a litle 'house dog'.. lol..

Thanks for your time, Im very sorry it was so long but im in tears thinking that i may be the cause of an early death, and id like to have answers!

Thanks alot,
Jessica and keely

P.s- Is there a chance i may be making her healthier by giving her alot of exsercize?

Hcollie85

I wouldnt think that, but if shes 7 months old id say do less cause she would be still growing and devloping

Heather
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Gypsysmum

Hi
A vet advise me once to build the dog's muscles first and then when they are strong they can do anything.
The heart is a muscle too.
I would do some play and training on your land and then do some walking on the roads like they do with greyhounds to build up muscles.

Once she reaches maturity, at about a year for a terrier, she should be able to cope with most things I would have thought.

G

hev_gsd

being a terrior she will be able to cope with lots! thats when her body has finished growing though, anything to hard on her body will result in damage on her joints.

i have a chihuahua and a german shepherd and they both get the same ammount of walks,most weekends we walk for about 5/6 miles and daily walks are about 2+ hours and he copes well, because he built up his fitness over time didnt rush anything. Very Happy

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My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am!

CatSlave

You sound like a very loving owner. Just don't over do things; let your pup grow and let muscles develop over their natural time. Then let your pup have fun and enjoy the life that you are so obviously giving it. Good luck and lets see some piccies x

clareabella

thats was abit harsh for your mother to say that. you sound to me like you care very much for your dog.

as others have said pups need less exercise until thier muscles have fully developed but i wouldnt say that you are killing your dog xxx
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denimlady

Your dog is only a puppy, and the growth plates won't close for some time. This amount of exercise is not sensible or necessary, and could be harmful.