pup on hardwood floors

[atravis]

What's the general opinion on puppies being on hardwood/tile floors?

My new guy is 17 weeks. I have tile/hardwood in my downstairs area (where he only goes when supervised), and carpet in the upstairs where he is most of the time. Obviously he doesn't LIVE on the hard surfaces, but he has free run of them when I'm around. I didn't have the hardwood when Mulder was a pup, so this was never a concern before... suddenly I'm starting to wonder if I should be limiting his exposure?

I don't anticipate any hip/join issues, but I'm thinking proactively here. Is there really any merit to being worried about hard surfaces and developing joints?

Pictures for those who love them:

[GSDBESTK9]

No?? I've raised all my pups on hardwood/pergo floors. They are completely fine and they all have good hips (if not excellent) and elbows. As long as the puppy is not going to be jumping up and down all day on it.

[Wolfiesmom]

Mine is on hardwood for the majority of the time. When he was a baby, I had a bunch of runners thrown down all over so he could get his footing easier. As he got older, I took the runners away, and he has no problem.

[Kesser]

Oooo the new guy is sooo cute!!!
We have hardwood floors at home - Vegas will walk on them, he doesn't seem to like them too much (he's slipped on them a few times) but he will walk on them. He mostly sticks to the area rug we have. It's quite comical to watch him try and avoid the hardwood. He is so cautious on it now. He will walk over to get his toy and then rather than turning around and walking back to his bed or the rug he will back up until he gets to it and then turn around on it and continue playing.

[Maria99F4]

my boy is gonna be 6 months soon. my house is an old school house that was turned into a two bedroom home. the whole house is hard wood and the bathrooms and kitchen are tile. we have area rugs all over and runners for him. he will not walk on the hard wood at all. little sections he will if he is going from rug to rug but other that that he wont. it is so cute though when his legs go out like bambies did on the ice.

[martemchik]

My opinion...hillarious! I loved watching him try to take turns or not be able to get footing when he got the runs. Now we have carpet and he just zooms around without a problem.

[atravis]

Thanks guys- didn't think there was cause to panic, but I wanted to get some other opinions.

He gained his footing pretty quickly, but still slides if he puts on the breaks while running Doesn't seem to phase him though... certainly doesn't stop him from zipping around the house like a maniac!

[hunterisgreat]

Whole house is hardwood. I think if nothing else it builds their confidence (at the expense of the beauty of my floors)

[Gwenhwyfair]

yeah...I'm going to disagree a bit on this. Not about causing HD but in general...increased slipping and sliding can cause pulls and strains.

I discourage my dogs from racing around on the tile and hardwood floors (as much as possible) Plus I kind of like to set the inside tone vs outside tone a bit (kind of like with kids, inside voice/outside voice).

[Freddy]

We have porcelain tile, and have had 4 GSDs on it. No problems. I think it gives them confidence when on surfaces that are slick.