Our new arrival Charlie Brown - Choc brown Cocker 9 weeks old - arrived 6 days ago and eneded up at the vets within 5 days - His front paw/leg looked - bent virtually double jointed at the paw.  He was in no pain, vet checked joints in front leg - but when walking/running it did bend right over towards the front & when sitting did bend out to the side (bow legged looking)

He has a splint on it at the mo for 3 days then back to the vet.

Is this common in boisterous puppies to over-bend tendons in their front legs? Has anyone experienced this with their puppies?

Im so upset that its something more serious - but he isnt in pain! and can still run around on his splint!

Hi Guest,

Poor Charlie Brown (love the name BTW)  :)  Puppies can be amazingly death defying and it's all too easy for them to have accidents.  I've not had a puppy injured but I think I've just been lucky - however that means I've no personal experience to draw on or offer specific advice.

It's great he's been to the vet and splinted, but can I suggest you try not to let him run around on it?  I know it's not easy containing a puppy but if you can try and make him rest the foot/leg I'd imagine it has a better chance of recovery.  Do you have a cage for him?  Or can you keep him in a small area such as the kitchen behind a baby gate?  Just so he can't run around like a minx ;)

HTH, regards Teri

There is a condition we call rubber leg.  Basically it happens when a puppy that has been raised in the house on wooden or softish floors goes to a new home and is suddenly exposed to concrete and hard ground, or when the breeder lets it run outside in concrete runs for the first time. It is very temporary and doesn't seem to have any lasting effects.  Vets look at you in amazement when you tell them though!!

It has no connection to the condition produced by too many glasses of wine on New Years Eve!

Will try & limit him & have the glass of wine also although Im limited as baby arrives in April! so want Charlie in tip top order to meet baby & walks in the park!

Will remind the vet of rubber legs on dog & not owner!

Have built a barracade in the kitchen  & trying to limit his running down the hall way!!  many thanks for the kind comments & Im sure that he will be fine.