[Emoore]

Rocky turned six years old in April and I've started noticing that his rear end looks like the rump of an old horse. He's got a nice waistline and you can feel his ribs easily; we walk every morning and I throw the ball for him in the afternoon. I would have thought all that sprinting after the ball would keep his hindquarters strong, but evidently not. Is there anything else I can do to fix his "nag rump?"

 

[3K9Mom]

Swimming. Uses a whole different set of muscles. Tones and firms!

Is there any reason to think he's not structurally sound? That there's any sort of weakness or other issue?

If not, try climbing hills too. Start with molehills and work up to mountains. Don't let him run up them (to start). Just nice gentle climbing. And even gentler descending (which is hard. Dogs love to banzaii downhill.) But have him take it easy until his muscles and joints get used to this new terrain!

From what you've described, it seems to me that what Rocky has is sort of the same as the person who goes to the gym and rides the same treadmill or bicycle every single day for years. He's building up the same muscles, but not using any others. It's easy to do with our busy lives. But it's time for Rocky to break out of his rut and do some cross training!

Go Rocky go!

 

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: 3K9MomSwimming. Uses a whole different set of muscles. Tones and firms!

Even though Siren is only 18 weeks old, she already has "butt muscles" like a Pit Bull. (She has been swimming either once or twice a day, EVERYDAY for 8 weeks.)

 

[Sherush]

Originally Posted By: BlackGSD

Originally Posted By: 3K9MomSwimming. Uses a whole different set of muscles. Tones and firms!

Even though Siren is only 18 weeks old, she already has "butt muscles" like a Pit Bull. (She has been swimming either once or twice a day, EVERYDAY for 8 weeks.)

Jesse has been swimming every day for a month and is 8 months old and boy he is getting muscles built up at the end and legs as well, but also we walk 3 times a day and also play retrieval games. Next summer we will add in roller blading and biking. This winter no swimming but treadmill will takes it's place and retrieving in the snow along with walks.

 

[Emoore]

Originally Posted By: 3K9Mom Is there any reason to think he's not structurally sound? That there's any sort of weakness or other issue?

No. He's never taken a lame step in his life

Originally Posted By: 3K9Mom
Swimming. Uses a whole different set of muscles. Tones and firms!

If not, try climbing hills too.

He loves to swim, not sure where I can find a place around here were he'd be allowed to, but I'll start looking. We live in a huge flat plain, so hills are out, though. I don't even know where to find a hill around here.

Too bad.

 

[3K9Mom]

Emily, you might be able to find a local pool through these folks:

http://www.caninewatertherapy.com/

 

[roxy84]

another thing to consider if you feel he is losing muscle mass is a higher protein food if you're not already feeding one. some studies seem to indicate as dogs age they need higher protein levels to maintain muscle mass. just a thought.

 

[Emoore]

Originally Posted By: roxy84another thing to consider if you feel he is losing muscle mass is a higher protein food if you're not already feeding one. some studies seem to indicate as dogs age they need higher protein levels to maintain muscle mass. just a thought.

Ah, that's good to hear. I'm in the process of switching from Canidae to TOTW right now.