hi i have a 4 month old st bernard whos front feet are turning out any way of stopping it and correct the problem

Add bone meal to his food. For a giant dog like that I'd say a dessert spoon a day. It usually works wonders, sorted out 2 pups I bred, their legs are now lovely and straight. (We are continuing the bone meal though until they have stopped growing.) It's often extra calcium that is needed. I was given this tip by a breeder over 20 years ago, then again this year by another breeder friend, and it still works as well as it did for my dog in 1984. :)

Assuming it is on a balanced diet I'd not give extra calcium in any form to any giant breed puppy. I don't know about St Bernards but other giant breeds often turn out their feet at 4-6 months. As long as the turning out is slight I'd just keep an eye on it. If it is more than slight I'd want the vet to have a look.

I wouldn't worry it will probably straighten up as he grows. My Tibetan Mastiff's front was horrid and east west at that age but he's smashing now. Make sure he's not overweight (you should be able to feel his ribs easily but not see them) and be VERY careful giving giant breeds calcium supplements. Personally I wouldn't as it needs to be in the correct ratio with several other vitamins and then you have to bear in mind what's already in the food.

Have you thought of consulting the breeder?

It's normal for the front feet to point "east-west" while the chest is developing. Being a large breed your dog must be allowed to take its  time to fill out. One of my girls looked just like Charlie Chaplin while she was growing up. Now that her front has filled out, her leg has straightened perfectly. Extra calcium must be given with the apropriate amount of phosphor, otherwise it can do real damage to your dog. Besides, extra calcium is said to increase the risk of elbowproblems in young dogs. Good luck with your dog, st Bernard is a lovely breed.

A balanced diet (no extra calcium) and limited exercise - ie let him run around the garden or have short walks, no long walks.  He is coming up to one of his fastest growth spurts and everything often looks "out" when they are young, back legs longer than front or vice versa, too long, too tall.  The steadier his growth rate is the better so do not let him get overweight (if you can find his skin under all that fur you should be able to feel his ribs easily)

Teach him to stand in the position you wish him to stand when he is showing so that it becomes a habit for him.

Hi I wouldn,t worry too much if your dog is still young I remember nine years ago when one of my GSDs was only a youngster she stood at ten to two and she is absolutely fine now I think it must be a growing stage they go through, I,ve never added any calcium or bonemeal to her diet. try not to worry I,m sure your pup will be fine as it grows up.

Their feet often do funny things when they are teething too :)

Hi same here..I have Giant Breed and I would NEVER EVER add extra calcium, it can cause more harm than good. 20 years ago they didn't have the specialist foods for dogs that we have now, these contain everything a growing giant needs! All the best, Dawn.