How much excercise?

Just wondering how much excercise you give your pups, time/miles or however you measure it. When i first got my pups i stuck to the 5 mins for every month guide but this didn't last long and is definitely not sufficient now their 7 months. Monday to saturday i will do 6 miles a day (3 miles on a morning and 3 miles after work on an evening) then between 4 and 7 miles on a sunday, just curious how other people do their walks really

a 7 month should only be doing 35min per walk if your doging 3 miles day your going to damage his joint

Ouch! 6 miles is definitely too far for a 7 month pup! They may seem able to handle it, but it will play havoc on their joints and limbs, as the bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, etc., haven't formed and strengthened properly yet.

If you feel like the advised methods of 5 minutes per month of age doesn't seem enough, you could boost the walks by 10-15 minutes, but too much more could be detrimental to their health.

3 miles is only taking me about 35-40 mins so iI didn't think it was too far over the recommended

U must be walking pretty damn fast !

35 mins approx - so for example it takes me 15 mins to walk to the local field. Let the pooches have a run about - then walk back, another 15mins.


Over exercise can cause damage to the growth plates in the legs as well as damage to paws (especially if concrete walking)

Im aware of the risks of over excercising. Like i say they're being walked on a lead for 35-40 mins which is roughly 3 miles (according to an excercise app) i suppose i walk reasonably fast but its not that fast this is on concrete/soil/grass, i dont see this as being way too much really, i think any real damage to ligaments/joints etc will occur with twisting/jumping about etc for too long, which they dont do while out on walks

BoroGTI wrote:3 miles is only taking me about 35-40 mins so iI didn't think it was too far over the recommended

That's well over 5 miles per hour, the equivalent to what you would expect from a racewalker. These dogs are a lot smaller than humans, so that would be even more stressful on the limbs. When you take into account their age as well as that, I have no doubt that it could cause damage. Really, the 35 minute recommendation is for 1 mph - 3 mph at the most.

well we did told you, but ui'm going to say this it's not nice seeing your 4 year old dog struggle to walk around

far to quick a walk for a pup, a 35 minute walk at a slower pace would be a lot better otherwise you can really damage their joints

You may find the link below of use for amount of walks to give your puppy along with information on the damage too much exercise can cause your dog both now and later in life. I can only imagine what the hugely costly vet bills would look like later on:

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-far-long-walk-puppy-11667002.html?cat=53

It's a bit much for the pups and will put strain on their joints which could cause problems in later life.

Thats fair enough but its very vague in terms of 'scientific fact' the article itself is just the opinion of a dog owner

doesn't matter whos opinion it is joint problems in dogs is a very real thing as is hip/elbow displasia and these can be massively brought on by damaged joints and bones as a pup

BoroGTI wrote:Thats fair enough but its very vague in terms of 'scientific fact' the article itself is just the opinion of a dog owner

See comments above Kathy's post.

of course it exists, and if someone was running their pup or agility training for example with twisting and turning etc fair enough but normal lead walking for 35-40 mins, i dont believe is as far off as people are thinking. You'd think i was jogging with them until they were dropping the way people are reacting

I agree with all of the above your putting to much pressure on their still developing legs & this will cause you problems & pain for them in later life.

you did ask what we do and got the answer and for my 2 ive stuck to this rule founded on advice of experienced people so its up to you how you deal with it

You have been given good, sound advice. If you choose to ignore it that's up to you. I just hope you can afford the vets bills in your dogs' later years when they are suffering from arthritis & weak, painful joints.

Just one thing. Don't come on here asking for advice/opinions & then just push them aside because they don't suit you.

Eleanor wrote:

BoroGTI wrote:3 miles is only taking me about 35-40 mins so iI didn't think it was too far over the recommended

That's well over 5 miles per hour, the equivalent to what you would expect from a racewalker. These dogs are a lot smaller than humans, so that would be even more stressful on the limbs. When you take into account their age as well as that, I have no doubt that it could cause damage. Really, the 35 minute recommendation is for 1 mph - 3 mph at the most.

Agree and most people can't even walk that fast. You are probally going slower than that. Suki averages 15 minute miles but we jog some of the way as well. A pedometer is a good tool to use so you know how far you are going.

I've always stuck to the rule with Loki, and he's still full of energy by the end of the day a lot of the time, but I'd rather have a lively dog than one that may have health problems later on by something I've done. Hopefully yours won't, but I don't see why you'd ignore the guidelines by walking too fast when there's still a risk.

But you also said you do this TWICE a day! 3 miles in the morning and 3 miles in the afternoon! So even if you are walking 5 mph (which is close to impossible) you are still doubling the advised daily limit! The people here just care and dont want you or your pup to have troubles later on because of over exercising early in their life! I just hope you listen to the advice given and reduce your walks!!!!

BoroGTI wrote:Im aware of the risks of over excercising. Like i say they're being walked on a lead for 35-40 mins which is roughly 3 miles (according to an excercise app) i suppose i walk reasonably fast but its not that fast this is on concrete/soil/grass, i dont see this as being way too much really, i think any real damage to ligaments/joints etc will occur with twisting/jumping about etc for too long, which they dont do while out on walks

I'm not sure if I would trust that app lol, if your not walking that fast then it might be a little off. I am a fast walker but 3 miles (which according to google is almost 5km) would still take me around 45-50 min (and I would say I am a damn fast walker )

BoroGTI wrote:of course it exists, and if someone was running their pup or agility training for example with twisting and turning etc fair enough but normal lead walking for 35-40 mins, i dont believe is as far off as people are thinking. You'd think i was jogging with them until they were dropping the way people are reacting

I think people are reacting about the 3 miles x 2 in a short time (sounds like extremely speedy walk), but to be honest I think the app is wrong about the distance because I cant imagine anyone walking that fast with a pup on a lead with them, so it is probly not as bad as it sounds!
Might still be worth consider breaking the walks up. Like someone said a 10-20 min walk to the park, then some play and or obedience training there and then a 10-20 min walk back, remeber that mental exercise will tire them out as well so obedience training, food puzzles etc will help with the built up energy as well!