The Unseen Story: Why a Puppy’s Bones Need Your Protection

At Claremont Puppies, our commitment to the health and well-being of our puppies doesn’t end when they leave our care. It extends to empowering you, their new family, with the knowledge to ensure they grow into strong, healthy adults. Today, we want to talk about a crucial aspect of puppy care that is often misunderstood: exercise.

You may have seen a striking X-ray image circulating online, showing the undeveloped bones of a two-week-old puppy. It’s often paired with a passionate plea, sometimes incorrectly attributed to the famed naturalist David Attenborough, about the dangers of over-exercising young dogs.

The message it conveys is absolutely vital. Understanding the science behind that image is one of the most important things you can do for your new companion.

A Look Inside: What the X-Ray Really Shows

The reason a young puppy is so wobbly and floppy is not just for cute effect. As the viral X-ray illustrates, their skeletons are not yet fully formed. The bones that will eventually become solid joints, like the hip and elbow, are still just beginning to take shape.

In these early weeks and months, the ends of the bones are much softer and are capped by “growth plates”—areas of developing cartilage from which all new bone growth occurs. The joints themselves are not snug-fitting sockets; they are a loose collection of bones held together by ligaments, tendons, and muscles. There are significant gaps between the bones, as clearly visible in the X-ray.

The Dangers of “Too Much, Too Soon”

This delicate, developing structure is highly vulnerable. When a puppy engages in high-impact activities, the consequences can be serious and long-lasting.

• Forced, Repetitive Exercise: Taking a young puppy for a long walk or a jog on a hard surface can put repetitive stress on their soft growth plates. This can lead to micro-fractures and, in severe cases, damage that can affect how the bone grows, potentially leading to deformities.
• High-Impact Jumps: Every time a puppy jumps down from the sofa, the bed, or out of the car, the impact sends a shockwave through their fragile joints. This can bruise the cartilage and bone, leading to pain and inflammation that can set the stage for arthritis later in life.
• Slippery Surfaces: Watching a puppy scramble and slide on tile or hardwood floors might seem amusing, but it forces their joints to move and twist in unnatural ways. This puts immense strain on the supporting ligaments and can lead to improper joint development.

Your Puppy’s First Year: A Foundation for Life

You only get one chance to grow your puppy’s skeleton. The period from 8 weeks to at least 12-18 months (depending on the breed) is a critical window for healthy development. By protecting their joints during this time, you are giving them the gift of a lifetime of pain-free movement.

This is a shared responsibility. It starts with our commitment at Claremont Puppies to excellent breeding practices that prioritize sound genetics and structure. It continues with you, providing a safe and nurturing environment where your puppy can grow and thrive without undue physical stress.

Claremont Puppies’ Guide to Safe Puppy Exercise

So, what should you do? The goal is not to stop your puppy from playing, but to ensure the play is safe and appropriate.

1. Let the Puppy Lead: Opt for short, frequent sessions of free play in a safe, fenced-in area. Let your puppy decide when to run, when to rest, and when to stop.
2. Soften the Landing: Avoid encouraging high-impact activities like jumping off furniture. Provide pet stairs or ramps if you want them to have access to higher surfaces.
3. Provide Traction: Use non-slip rugs and runners on hard flooring to give your puppy stable footing.
4. Keep Walks Short: Follow the “five-minute rule” as a general guideline: five minutes of structured, leashed walking per month of age, once or twice a day. A 3-month-old puppy, for example, can have a 15-minute walk.
5. Focus on Brain Games: Mental stimulation can be just as tiring as physical exercise. Food puzzles and training sessions are excellent ways to bond with your puppy and work their mind without stressing their body.

Once your puppy’s growth plates have closed and their joints are fully formed, you will have a lifetime ahead of you for adventures, hikes, and high-energy fun. By being patient and protective during their puppyhood, you are ensuring they will be healthy enough to enjoy it with you.

Let’s talk (no obligations)

If you’re curious or just want more info, give me a call. Ask about upcoming litters or the process itself — I’ll never rush you. You deserve to feel certain before you commit.

Warmest regards,
Vic (Claremont Puppies)
0433 333 250