5 minutes per month question.

The guide of 5 minutes per month for puppy walking is very good in theory.  But what about all the running and playing they do at home? I've seen Theia put more into flying around the house and garden after we've come home than she did when we were out. We tend to go with the distance and type of exercise because it can take 5 minutes or 10 seconds just to get to the bottom of the street!
Also she's now learned how to jump on the couch and thinks she's clever!

The 5 minutes per month rule is ideally for on-lead exercise. All that running around, zooming, ball chasing etc off lead is ok as typically they'll stop when they're tired. (Yes, I know, seems like they never stop some days!).

Haha, the couch will never be your again

yea when the running around at home they can just go to sleep where they are at, while walking they cant stop and go to sleep i think that why of the 5mins per month rules

I thought the idea was to not stress their joints to much rather than tiring them out. She only gets exercise after rest so would never want to sleep when out.
Pete.

All relevant she wouldnt charge around if she didnt hae the energy, Vin is at it now at nearly 3 so it never stops lol xx

As mentioned when off a lead if they want to rest they can but whilst walking its you leading them so yes its for joints but when they can rest its slightly different - I hope that made sense!

of coruse walking to far for anything to young will damge the joints, while at home they can play has long has they like becasue they can rest up while walking they cant do that.

I think everyone is missing my point. If I take her out for a 15 minute wander where she'll be stopping, sniffing about, exploring all the usual. I'll bring her back because I'm worried about giving her too much, then she goes on one for 20 mins hurtling around the garden, tumbling over and sprinting in circles, which has got to be worse for her joints than a 15 min wander.
Pete

i know what you saying but they dont play for 30mins non stop they spout and stop and rest normal rolling on her backs

Echo what Steve says. They're in control of their zoomies and do stop and rest when they need to. They do tend to know their limits when it comes to running about vs putting stress on their joints and knowing when to calm down. And since they grow at funny rates and can be all legs one day and all ears the next, there will be tumbles and falls - just keep an eye on her.

i take Tia on 2 longer walks a week as she enjoys them ..we walk up to the river or fields where she can jump through the tall grass/ water etc we always rest and i take water and snacks with me . she could walk for a long time if i let her but i keep it to the 2 days so she an have some special fun ..

Lynn&Pete wrote:I think everyone is missing my point. If I take her out for a 15 minute wander where she'll be stopping, sniffing about, exploring all the usual. I'll bring her back because I'm worried about giving her too much, then she goes on one for 20 mins hurtling around the garden, tumbling over and sprinting in circles, which has got to be worse for her joints than a 15 min wander.
Pete

The five minute rule is to protect the joints. Walks are forced exercise where they can not as easily adjust the pace and are often on harder surfaces such as concrete. This generates more force on the joint and either cause an injury now or can create a health issue further down the road. The five minute rule allows them to build up the tolerance to be able to physically cope with the longer walks.

Running around the garden is a different type of exercise as well where they can control the pace. It also causes a different type of stress on the body and cardio system.

Hi what is with this 5 mins per month of age thing?.My staff cross is 8 month and she gets i would say 2-3 x 30-40 mins walks a day,some times its 2 walks with 1 session in morning where she spends 15 mins doin sprints after ball.But yesterday she had a totally of around 2 and half hours exercise is this wrong and and i am over training.

Yes Jay sounds about right, 8 months should be 40 mins twice a day with some play time inbetween too