Sunday, June 24, 2012

Sunna and Erik

Squirrel and Moose (Sunna and Erik), they both have their call names now, are really hitting it off together. How wonderful to see them playing "Chase" with such reckless abandon. 
(Remember: clicking on the photos enlarges them. To return, click on the X in the upper right hand corner of the screen.)

Chase or Hide and Go Seek are games you can play in your home or yard. It's good to let your own hair down once in a while!
Those games bond you and your dog and also teach some basic skills. Running free-style is great exercise for our Icelandics. 

Puppies should not be encouraged to run and jump until their bones are finished growing. It's OK for them to do those activities on their own but if their human partners direct them to run longer than they should or jump more than they should, possible long term damage to their bones could result. To be more clear. Do not run or jog at length with your puppy. Do not ride a bike and have your puppy accompany you. Do not train your puppy over obedience or agility jumps until they are mature. 

Our puppies normally stop growing in height at between seven and twelve months. (Larger breeds take longer to mature; smaller breeds mature earlier.) Icelandics may continue to put on weight and muscle mass for many months after the age of one year. Females mature a little sooner than males - just like humans again. (Although I've been told from a reliable source that human males may not mature until they are in their forties if - - -  ever.)

Have you switched to adult food now? It's probably time to do so.

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