Should we raise it up again?

Question

Okay. Max has been on his spring pole for a few weeks now, we have raised it higher and higher as he gets better at jumping. Right now he cannot put his feet on the ground at all. But he is starting to jump so high, I am worried he will grab the metal spring and hurt himself. Should we raise it up more or is it good? Also.. my husband is worried because 80% of the time when Max gets off, his mouth/gums are bleeding. I assume from the strain. It hasnt happened as much lately. Is it just his gums/jaw getting stronger and able to handle it better now?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kNl3kW4A-o

Answer 1

If he's bleeding and getting stunned I wouldn't go higher. I should think that when there's blood there is damage to tissue and getting stunned doesn't seem all that healthy in the long run.

Answer 2

Raise it up! Pit Bulls are very strong dogs, he won't get hurt going higher, I've seen spring pole action 12 feet high, and I've seen dogs swing up to about 8 ft high. It's great exercise for them, and I've never heard of a dog being seriously injured on one surprisingly. and yes, his gums and jaws will get stronger and more and more used to it.

Answer 3

Hey there when a dog is on the spring pole he should NOT be in the air, instead his hind legs should touch the ground so he is using them and working the muscles in order for the spring pole to even help to exercise him.  here is an example of how they should look when properly workin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC5D17EI1...

and no these are not my dogs :)

Answer 4

I would raise it high enough that he can only reach what he is supposed to. If his mouth or teeth get hooked on that spring during a jump some serious physical damage can be done.

Answer 5

Ah, looks like he's having great fun!

I wouldn't make it higher....if he's falling and stunning himself, that's not good.

I would lower it. Their hind legs should be able to touch the ground when they are swining on the pole. Having their hind legs on the ground also strengthens the muscles in them.

Answer 6

Its too high, his teeth and gums are getting sore. You need to lower it or he will have serious teeth problems or ulcers.

His gums or jaw will weaken as a result of bad teeth (keep bleeding).

Answer 7

No harm in raising it -you don't want anything getting hooked in that spring.   If you even think he might possibly reach the spring, then it's time to raise it.

His mouth and gums bleeding, would be normal -they're just toughening up, much like brushing your teeth -if you were to neglect doing it, you're gums would bleed when you did.

Put a thick layer of mulch under the spring pole, so he has more of a cushion upon landing.

Answer 8

definitely raise it. as for the hitting hard, does he land on his side?  if he lands on his side id be worried about breaking ribs, my dogs were trained to land on their chest, it might knock the wind out of them for a second, but they'll be fine. heres a vid of a dog thats trained to land on his chest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBhBbnat_...

and heres another good video of Pit Bulls on springpoles these dogs can get up there pretty high, it also has a little guard training on it, but great video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbZpoyIYH...

as for touching the ground,thats up to you doesnt hurt either way, if you want the legs to get a workout then make it to where he can barely touch the ground with his hind legs that way he can push off the ground and bounce, it will work his hind legs.. if you want him to work jaw muscles and upper body then make it to where he cant touch at all. you could also switch it up, one day let him not touch the next lower it a little.

to train them to land on their chest will be a little difficult since of your dogs age and weight, but it can still be done, it will take you and your husband.. when the dog jumps up to the springpole one of your grab up under his hind legs across the stomach, and one grab around the chest and tuck his front legs up under his body, then basically carry him to the ground make him land on his chest, it will take a little training but he'll start to understand thats a better and not as painful way to land, then he'll do it on his own.

sorry if that sounds a little confusing a little hard to explain.

also i want to say if you dont want to go through all that training, that you could go and get an old soft mattress and lay it as his landing spot, but you definitely have to higher his springpole then .

for the bleeding gums, your dogs only been on it a few weeks, still pretty new to him, i cant really tell in the video but it looks like your using just a regular rope tug toy... i would buy a horse lead, the fabric is very soft and will be softer on the gums.

Answer 9

Try getting a wooden fence if your worried about that.

Answer 10

Max looks great on the pole.....good job!

But, I would actually lower it a bit. His feet should be able to touch, and the fact that his gums are bleeding isn't a good sign...lower the spring.

Did you speak to your vet before starting him on it?