hi all crystal is 6 weeks pregnant and i just wondered how much play and exercise she should be having,merlin my male wants to play all day as his only 13 months,trying to stop rough play and to much is hard to do but any advice would be great.
mandy

normal play and exercise is fine but you have to be careful from 6 weeks onwards. we usually exercise a small group of dogs by throwing a ball or tugtoy about 10-20 times twice per day and letting them have a good run and play see who can get the toy first etc, the rest of their exercise is in their runs or running free in the yard. when our bitches come to 6-7 weeks pregnant we restrict them to just walking or running in the yard, we dont allow them to jump the fence out in the field as normal and we dont let them join in with the ususal rough and tumble game with the toys. its just a precaution we always take but most of our bitches know when to start taking it a bit easier anyway and by the time they are 6-7 weeks they prefer to laze around most of the day!

I wouldn't worry too much, bitches are usually quite sensible & don't overdo things. They seem to regulate the amount of exercise they want, according to how comfortable or uncomfortable they feel - you'll find she's a lot less eager to play if she gets really large. I know it's nervewracking, but the pups are pretty well cushioned in there! Obviously, you don't want Merlin bouncing off her sides, but if they are just playing, I'd let them get on with it. The more exercise she gets, the fitter she will be for whelping - that's always my point of view anyway!
HTH

thanks thought it would be ok,she is so fat seen has she still has 3 weeks to go,
merlin did get to much earlier so shes in her bed sleeping while he plays and weres himself out.
kids say they have bet on how many pups she will have,
mandy

Hi Mandy i know how nervewracking it is wondering if its ok for them to play so far into there pregnancy. My girl is now into day 54 of her pregnancy so just over a week left for her and she is so hyper you would not believe.
I have to agree that they do know when they have had enough and will usually go and sleep i know mine does.
All today she has been acting like something possesed and has been bouncing and jumping at her toys it was funny she is sleeping now but for how long i am not sure hehehehe.

So i would not worry to much as you say she is very fat so the puppies are well cushioned all you have to worry about is the day getting closer and your nerves being on edge.
Good luck and i hope she has a strong healthy litter.
I never seen your dog so can i guess she has 6puppies just to join in the fun your kids are having hehehe.

mike

my daughter to says 6 pups so we will see as shes only a very tiny thing i think 4 ,but my friends jrt had 8 ,3 days ago and all are good size and healthy ,so you never know
mandy