I’ve got a question with regards to playing with your puppy. I found this a lot easier when I was 19. Now, at age 40 and having just brought home and 8 week old yellow lab, I am struggling to find ways of playing with her. The back, knees and joints aren’t what they used to be. It’s just the fiancee and I (no kids), so this first week has been a very concentrated effort in spending time with the pup. Although I am increasingly introducing her to gaps of time where I am not around (but that is a little off topic). Do people get down on the ground with their dogs? Or do they just throw toys for them etc. without having to be up and down the whole time?
Re: playing with your puppy Hello there, and welcome to the forum! Love to hear more about your pup - what's his/her name? Sympathies! I have a very dodgy 40+ knee! ;D ;D ;D I sat on a low chair to play with my pup when he was very young. But also sat on the floor time to time, plus he was (and still is) allowed on the sofa for cuddles. We usually played with things - paper, cardboard, kitchen roll middles, tiny little toys he carried and so on. If you want to throw toys, and want your pup to be interested in retrieving when s/he is older, you might want to start off thinking about how you throw things and get your puppy to bring them back. Lots of tips on the main site.
Re: playing with your puppy Hi, Welcome to the forum. My puppy Whisky is 9 weewks old and I have had him permananty at home for since Tuesday 8th July. Prior to this I had him for a couple of day time sessions so he could get to know us. I am 58 and had to retire early. My wife is 56 (hope she doesn't mind telling everyone her age!) and also in the house in my Mother-in-Law who is 83. I can still just about maange to get down on the ground (but no longer one fluid movement). However for over 95% of the time I am sitting, standing or bending over whilst interacting with Whisky. Whisky seems to prefer eye contact, irrespective of my height over her. My mother in law finds it difficult to bend (she has osteoperosis) and so finds being with a puppy slightly more challenging - but shed has made friends with Whisky. Whisky manages to amuse himself so I don't have to throw toys - but I do however sometimes gently kick one of balls for him to play with. Whisky also enjoys brief periods of training. At the moment we are working on his recall and walking to heel (at the moment without a lead). Hope that helps
Re: playing with your puppy Hi, 42 here and I understand where you're coming from! I do get down on the ground with our 2 yr old boy and romp about a bit but we do have quite thick carpet.... Try toys on ropes and tug of war games. I would also recommend seeing a good physio (a really hands-on one who will make you suffer a little bit) to help you work out where you're stiff and give you some stretches to do. I do daily stretches for my lower back - without them I can barely put on my own socks but with my daily stretches life is so much better. It is a case of use it or lose it I'm afraid. For all you young people reading this - don't feel too smug because you'll be ridin' this train someday
Re: playing with your puppy 47 here (yikes!). Having Maisie was a shock to my poor old body !!! But, after a couple of weeks of having to bend down, carrying her around on our trips out, playing on the floor, etc, etc, I found that my legs and back felt better than they had for years! So, having a pup may be the start of a new body? Well, I live in hope!!!!
Re: playing with your puppy Heavens, you are all babies compared to me, enjoy ;D I could add a good 20 years on to you all and can still get up off the floor with ease (up to this moment, don't want to tempt fate). However, my memory is not allowing me to remember if I played on the floor with my two and a half year old when he was a pup! Don't think I did; I did clicker training with him and gave him "croccle bottles (plastic ones) and toilet roll holders and soft toes to play with, so not sure you need to get on the floor? My daughter briefly worked in a care home and she told me to practice getting off the floor every day as many old people get stuck, so I do ;D
Re: playing with your puppy Hi I am 48, and we got our pup end of December last year, Boxing day in fact.. Benson was 10 weeks old and had been in a wheelchair for 2 months after breaking both legs, so at that time just started walking with one leg still in a cast, I used a Zimmer frame for a while which puppy thought was a fantastic game! ;D No matter what age, physio is so important to get those joints moving and maintain flexibility and core strength. I have intensive physio once a week, and am starting pilates to help build up core strength. Getting down on the ground was quite a challenge, I used a chair most of the time as being so low encouraged a bit too much excitement in our pup, we found he got a bit over excited and "bitey" We played loads of games bit like the russian dolls, where we would hide a bit of kibble in a toilet roll, then in another box and hid in somewhere then would send Benson off to hunt for it...he loved that game, and still does! We started training very early too, just basic commands like recall from one room to another, sit and leave. We found a combination of mental games and a bit of exercise really wore him out too!
Re: playing with your puppy 58 here, and a little creaky around the edges. We played (and still play) seeking games by hiding treats around the house and garden. Holly enjoys a chase for a toy, a bit of fetch, and we can sit on a cushion for tuggy of necessary. It gives a nice mix of mental games, training and interaction.
Re: playing with your puppy Thanks all for such supportive replies. I feel like a bit of a whinger now, as it sounds like a couple of you have had bigger challenges than me. That has helped me lift my game. As to the gym, as soon as I feel I can leave the pup alone, I will be back at the gym. For anyone who would like to see pictures of little Hannah, she has an album on Flickr - http://bit.ly/hannahproject Thanks again and I'll take on board all the suggestions for games. Russian dolls - uber cool!
Re: playing with your puppy She is gorgeous I'm 38 and have spinal problems (metal plates in my neck), but since having Harley, my bad days have been reduced - I put this down to walking every day
Re: playing with your puppy Beanwood, how dreadful to break two legs, you have done so very well at what must have been a very difficult time for you. I have a fear of breaking a bone as I am the only one who can walk the dogs.
Re: playing with your puppy Hi there,just wanted to say welcome,I'm a bit of a 40 + year old creaker too! Not to worry,Labradors may not help your flexibility but they will certainly help your general fitness as you get out and about with them. Best wishes Angela and Dexter my 22 month old yellow boy x
Re: playing with your puppy hi welcome to you and hannah from me an black lab jasper 19 month 56 year old no creaks, keep myself very fit and walk a good 4 hours a day once you are able to go on long walks you will soon get fit
Re: playing with your puppy 53 here and have been trying to rehab a broken ankle since last fall. While some evenings I feel way too old to keep up with Edsel, overall he's been a big reason I've increased my activity and exercise and have made progress. I am not playing in the floor with him at this time since he's about 40 lbs and a crazy 5 month old but I do a lot of hide and seek and chase around the house and yard. Think he's making me feel younger even if I'm not! Lori
Re: playing with your puppy Oh heavens you make 40 sound old ! I hope not ! I am somewhat older than that and have 6 year old twins, 20 week old pup and a 9 year old dog. We are on the floor, ground, muddy field all the time. I could not be other wise with her. I think though age does not have a lot to do with it. Its more down to personality. Enjoy your pup
Re: playing with your puppy I am 54 and was very stiff when I brought Chepi home but I spend a lot of time on the floor and it gets easier! I give her an empty drink bottle which she chases around or I stand in the garden and she runs around me like a whirlwind. I have a large vet bed with a cushion for me and a range of her toys nearby. I put her toys in a small box and she has to figure out how to get them out. I avoid chase games and winding her up but I also like to see her play to get some exercise; it's finding the balance that I am learning. I take her out for walks every day (carrying her) as I think it not only socialises but is interesting for her.
Re: playing with your puppy I am looking forward to walking her. I do a little bit of leash training each day. She's still a bit young to hit the footpaths yet, I suspect.
Re: playing with your puppy I'm 57 and have arthritis is both knees. The best, best thing for it is to exercise - a lot! So no excuses for getting older. My husband is the same age and currently cycling from Heidelberg to Venice over the Alps. He's taken our 28 year old son, who never catches him on the hills - and son is a fit, strapping young fella! Here's a photo of him the first day we got Tatze (he named her as he's turned into a German!) Here is a photo of DH last year as he finished the coast-to-coast USA cycle ride.
Re: playing with your puppy I am 77 and Cooper (18 weeks old) is my FIRST dog! Agreed, I dont get on the floor.....wouldn't be able to get up, probably! but bend over and play with him and his toys, go outside and throw the ball, play with him. Also, I have playdates with adult dogs which socializes him AND exercises him. Walk him four times a day...not very long walks but enough to tire him out each time. This gives him exercise and training. Also he has finished Puppy Kindergarten class (with 11 other puppies!!!....pandemonium but wonderful to see them play together....if you want to call that "play"!), and starting Basic Behavior class this coming week. I am "it" for my puppy....no husband, no children or grandchildren but find that he entertains himself quite a bit although he would rather be close to me and have me stroke and pet him and scratch his belly!
