[MyShelby]

For a 1 yr 2 week old bully who is walked 3/4 times a week for 45min-1 hour? Would like increased stamina during the walk. Shelby doesn't eat much in the morning, normally she'll eat the 1 X-large egg I make her and stops feeding. Then we go for a walk around 9:30/10:00 am and walk for 45min to 1 hour and she's allowed to pull the entire time (walking harness). She normally does pull a good 75% of the time then starts to lose steam. She drinks plenty of water during the walk. Currently feeding Natures Variety New Zealand Venison & Millet Medley with Grizzly Salmon oil (she loves it). She's my companion dog we don't do any competition. I myself am trying to get into shape so I really can't walk her more then 3 days maybe squeeze in the fourth day if possible. We are feeding off each other energy for better health if you will. I'm trying to get info from another forums for diversity. I've read Vertex is good but I don't know if it's a bit much more this type or activity.

[Miakoda]

The way to increase her stamina is to exercise her more. Instead of just walks, throw in a few jogs at first. Then throw in short sprints. Increase the length & time of those walks.

Performance enhancing supplements will do nothing for your dog except ruin her. Do things the right way.

[MyShelby]

The problem is I can't jog/run on cement/hard surfaces my knee gives out (old work out injury coming back to haunt me), I can only use Elliptical type machines because of my knee. But I'm still out walking her and I'm a big guy (now), anything else I can do/feed to pick up her energy?

[monkeys23]

Then find a park with a dirt/gravel trail to jog/run her in.

I have a knee injury and frankly my knee feels 100% better with exercise. Its being sedentry that makes it hurt like hell. But then a torn meniscus is a little different than other knee injuries. Have you tried lifting weights? That may help your knee...

[MyShelby]

A torn medial meniscus ('05) is what I had it just wasn't been the same since. I just started working out again which is why I can only walk Shelby 3 days a week maybe a 4th day the rest I use for gym time.

[monkeys23]

Originally Posted by MyShelby A torn medial meniscus ('05) is what I had it just wasn't been the same since. I just started working out again which is why I can only walk Shelby 3 days a week maybe a 4th day the rest I use for gym time.

Torn meniscus' suck! Mine hurts like hell right now since I haven't lifted in a couple months.
I went to physical therapy for mine and they had me do a ton of work on the bosu ball and balance board, which helped support it better. Same with lower body weights. Both of those are really only effective if done 2-3 times a week at least. You could do swimming during gym time (if its got a pool); good workout and very little impact. Makes for a happy knee.

[The Diesel]

Have you tried putting your dog on a treadmill or carpet mill?

[fearlessknight]

I would try different things, but not supplements, as Mia said, they only ruin your dog...some people live by them....others live by being natural...and the natural you work your dog, the better it will be for both of you!

Try the flirt pole.....or as said a tread mill....they work wonders, dogs can run at their own pace and you still get to live! LMAO! There are pleanty of things you do...besides just running with him/her yourself....or using supplements......if the dog is not doing anything to build stamina, no supplement will do any good anyways....

Originally Posted by fearlessknight I would try different things, but not supplements, as Mia said, they only ruin your dog...some people live by them....others live by being natural...and the natural you work your dog, the better it will be for both of you! Try the flirt pole.....or as said a tread mill....they work wonders, dogs can run at their own pace and you still get to live! LMAO! There are pleanty of things you do...besides just running with him/her yourself....or using supplements......if the dog is not doing anything to build stamina, no supplement will do any good anyways....

I agree with this 100%. As soon as the dog is in shape enough to do the walk you're used to, the increasing any stamina at that stage will stop. Try the flirt pole as suggested. Start out doing flirt pole for 5 min, THEN go on the regular walk. Then start upping the flirt pole time. I would get it up to 20-25 minutes and THEN do the walk for cool down. An electric treadmill with a simple 2x4 frame built around it can work perfectly for workouts for the dog also. Same thing.....start out with 5 min "jog" for the dog then go for the walk. Work it up to 20 min run for the dog, then go for the walk. Without upping the cardio work, your dog will not improve on stamina.

[MyShelby]

Originally Posted by monkeys23 Torn meniscus' suck! Mine hurts like hell right now since I haven't lifted in a couple months. I went to physical therapy for mine and they had me do a ton of work on the bosu ball and balance board, which helped support it better. Same with lower body weights. Both of those are really only effective if done 2-3 times a week at least. You could do swimming during gym time (if its got a pool); good workout and very little impact. Makes for a happy knee.

Mine just hasn't been the same since, I recovered (according to my physical Therapist) lighting fast. After I finished my therapy I told her there was still some slight pain behind the knee she said it's either going to heal 100% or you have to live with some pain for life. Some folks just never are the same after surgery. Well I'm one of those "it ain't been right since", sometimes just after walking my knee tightens up causing me to limp a bit. During cold days (like now) I wake up with slight knee pains. I've leaned to live with it .

I would try different things, but not supplements, as Mia said, they only ruin your dog...some people live by them....others live by being natural...and the natural you work your dog, the better it will be for both of you! Try the flirt pole.....or as said a tread mill....they work wonders, dogs can run at their own pace and you still get to live! LMAO! There are pleanty of things you do...besides just running with him/her yourself....or using supplements......if the dog is not doing anything to build stamina, no supplement will do any good anyways....

I will give the flirt pole a go I can't swing a treadmill at this time. I was thinking of using the supplement just before our walks and not at any other time. More like an energy boost since she doesn't like to eat in the mornings.

[MyShelby]

monkeys23
It also didn't help that they ended up removing cartilage ALL the way to the rim of the bone. The MRI showed a small tear, well after they went in they found the tear was and I quote "It was a hellava lot bigger then we thought". Quit a bit of cushion was removed from my right knee (power leg).

[fearlessknight]

Originally Posted by MyShelby Mine just hasn't been the same since, I recovered (according to my physical Therapist) lighting fast. After I finished my therapy I told her there was still some slight pain behind the knee she said it's either going to heal 100% or you have to live with some pain for life. Some folks just never are the same after surgery. Well I'm one of those "it ain't been right since", sometimes just after walking my knee tightens up causing me to limp a bit. During cold days (like now) I wake up with slight knee pains. I've leaned to live with it . I will give the flirt pole a go I can't swing a treadmill at this time. I was thinking of using the supplement just before our walks and not at any other time. More like an energy boost since she doesn't like to eat in the mornings.

Using it before walks is not going to do any good....it is not needed anyways.....

[monkeys23]

Originally Posted by MyShelby monkeys23 It also didn't help that they ended up removing cartilage ALL the way to the rim of the bone. The MRI showed a small tear, well after they went in they found the tear was and I quote "It was a hellava lot bigger then we thought". Quit a bit of cushion was removed from my right knee (power leg).

Yeowch!

Why did they do surgery if it looked like a small tear?
Yeah the tears don't heal depending on how much blood flow gets to the area, but my physical therapist advised me to manage it with exercise as much as possible and only ever do surgery as a last resort simply because the original structures like cushion and such are pretty important to keep.

Every knee is different, sorry yours no longer works like it needs to.

BTW, I don't think your dog needs any supplements... she'll have plenty of energy even if she hasn't eaten breakfast yet.

[Miakoda]

Originally Posted by MyShelby monkeys23 It also didn't help that they ended up removing cartilage ALL the way to the rim of the bone. The MRI showed a small tear, well after they went in they found the tear was and I quote "It was a hellava lot bigger then we thought". Quit a bit of cushion was removed from my right knee (power leg).

They didn't discuss with you a surgery to replace the cartilage? That's odd.

I had 95% of my cartilage removed from my right knee and the medial and lateral minisci were completely shredded so they too were removed. I had cartilage taken from my hip and put into my knee along with some cadaver parts.

And stay away form the supplements for your dog. As I already mentioned, they won't do anything to help your dog but would only standa chance of harming her. As an athlete, I used supplements and understand their purpose. But I also understand what they can and will do to the body and it's not worth it!

[MyShelby]

Originally Posted by monkeys23 Yeowch! Why did they do surgery if it looked like a small tear? Yeah the tears don't heal depending on how much blood flow gets to the area, but my physical therapist advised me to manage it with exercise as much as possible and only ever do surgery as a last resort simply because the original structures like cushion and such are pretty important to keep. Every knee is different, sorry yours no longer works like it needs to. BTW, I don't think your dog needs any supplements... she'll have plenty of energy even if she hasn't eaten breakfast yet.

Workman's Comp was paying for it as my knee gave out while at work. (Before this I hurt it while on the leg press machine a year prior. When they say don't tippy toe on the leg press, don't )
Two doctors agreed surgery was the way to go, might of been because of workman's comp was paying don't know. As soon as they found the tear all PT stopped asap.

They didn't discuss with you a surgery to replace the cartilage? That's odd. I had 95% of my cartilage removed from my right knee and the medial and lateral minisci were completely shredded so they too were removed. I had cartilage taken from my hip and put into my knee along with some cadaver parts.

Workman's Comp probably would have fought it for months. It took me almost 3 months to get the surgery done to begin with. My knee gave out towards the end of January (20 something) 05' and didn't have surgery till April 15 05'. Doctor visits filled with X-rays and MRI's and PT visits twice a week for a couple of months only to find it was a waste of time .

The positive thing about the situation is the GM at the restaurant I was working at knew I was having knee problems 5 month prior to the incident. My knee started hurting more and more frequently and me with no insurance. The day my knee gave out he was there and asked if I had insurance (no one else was around). I told him no and he responded with "Make the story good and we'll cover it under Workman's Comp". May GOD Bless that man for the rest of his life. If any of the other managers were there I would have been SOL. And technically it gave out at work so I'm cool with it
Knee Surgery Pic BELOW

[MyShelby]

Oh yeah and no supplements for Shelby I'll just feed chicken and steaks.....