Question on Puppy Hurting her Leg While Training?

[Linda1270]

Yesterday, my 5 month old old GSD was outside in the yard playing with my husband when she tripped and hurt her right front leg. She was chasing a frisbee. She was running on soft snow, when I heard the screech and looked out the window and saw her favoring her front leg for a couple of seconds. We watched her and everything seemed okay, she was back to running up a muck right after that incident. Nothing for the rest of the day. Her trainer came later that morning and she had a great session, she's learning so much.

Today, just a little while ago, I was working with her in the kitchen for a while, when I noticed she was getting tired, I asked her for one last down and she flopped down as she does occasionally and yelped out hold her right leg up off the ground for a couple of seconds. Again, after a few seconds more, she was back to normal. Of course, I am concerned about this and would like to know if this is normal for a puppy and do they heal quickly if they hurt themselves?

She just got through storming through my office like a little hurricane.. She was just outside to relieve herself and came back in all invigorated from the cold, as usual. What is it about cold weather that gives dogs and extra boost of energy. My chocolate Lab used to be the same way. He could be sound asleep and wakes up to go out to the bathroom, comes back in like he just drank a pot of coffee, zooming all over the house. Tess is the same way!

Anyway, I'm watching her run around and her leg appears to be just fine, but I'm still going to worry, I love this little girl and want to make sure she stays injury free. Hopefully I'm worrying for nothing.

[RowdyDogs]

It's likely that she just bruised herself, or maybe has a very mild muscle sprain that only hurts in certain positions. I would guess that your kitchen floor is tile or linoleum or some other hard surface? Maybe she pressed a mildly sore area against a hard surface and you got a yelp.

Personally, and remember that I am not a vet, I probably would not worry terribly much, but I would keep a very close eye on her. If you see her limping at all or if she continues to seem tender in certain circumstances, I would call your vet. In an older dog I wouldn't worry at all (well, much...I'm a worrier when it comes to my pets), but since she's so young and her bones are still developing, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on her.

Also, if you are worried please feel free to call your vet and just ask what they think you should do. I have never met a vet who wouldn't do a reasonable phone consult like that for a regular client--ie. "Hey Dr. Z, Fluffy seemed to step wrong while playing the other day, but got over it within a few minutes. But today she seemed sore when I asked her to lie down on the tile floor! Should I bring her in?" In my experience, most vets are happy to discuss this kind of borderline situation with regular clients and advise you on what to do.

edit: also I hope I don't offend you with my use of "Fluffy" since I don't know your dog's name...it's my generic hypothetical dog name, but after posting that I realized that it might come off as a bit offensive on a GSD board!

[Linda1270]

Thank you RowdyDogs, my dog's name is Tess and she seems to be just fine. I've been watching her and she hasn't limped or favored that leg/paw at all since the incident happened. Guess I'm just being an overly chronic worrier. I tend to be that way about my pets too!

She was running around all day yesterday and today. When I ask Tess for a down when training her, she will sometimes sort of dive into it, probably doesn't make sense but when she starts to get tired, she flops in to a down position. It makes me laugh, it's the cutest thing, but I think that flop is what caused her to hurt her leg for a brief period of time. She's wicked rough when she's playing around the house.

Thanks again, your post makes me feel a lot better.