Exercise

How long/far should I be walking my 7 month old staff for I read its 5 min per month which is 35 minutes but after 35 min shes usually still hyper I don't want to over do it though.

The only way I can tire her out a bit is a 20 min game of fetch on the training line but thats not always possible due to weather as it takes me to get her to walk in the rain/wind.

How long a walk would you recommend?

The 5 minutes per month is a good guide. If you are on grass or another soft surface you can go a little longer. Off lead time can be longer as well. This is because she is still growing and too much stress on her ligaments and joints can cause injury or long term health issues. Once she gets to 18 months you can exercise her all you want and not have to worry about causing harm.

JStaff wrote:The 5 minutes per month is a good guide.  If you are on grass or another soft surface you can go a little longer.  Off lead time can be longer as well.  This is because she is still growing and too much stress on her ligaments and joints can cause injury or long term health issues.  Once she gets to 18 months you can exercise her all you want and not have to worry about causing harm.  

Thanks for the advice really appreciate it.

No problem, they can be difficult at that age with all that energy but it's best to be cautious. I had a backpack for Suki that I got when she was 6 months and had to wait an entire year before trying it.

Backpack? Could you explain that further?

TonyW wrote:Backpack? Could you explain that further?

It's basically a pack they can wear which allows them to carry poo bags, water, treats, or anything else. You can also add weight to help condition or tire them out. We use one in the winter because Suki's energy level is higher or when we have to leave her home alone for an extended period of time so she will be tired out and sleep. The weight not excedd 20% of their body weight and they should be 18-24 months old before you start using it so as to not damage joints and ligaments.

Bane usually goes out for about 45 minutes during the day and he isn't quite 7 months.
We walk a few minutes to the park and then he has a mixture of running, walking and mincing around on his long lead so isn't exercising for the full 45 minutes (most of it he just wants to sniff around and pee on things) but it is all mental stimulation to tire him out too We have also started doing little training sessions in the park of all his commands and tricks to get his non existent listening skills up

TonyW wrote:Backpack? Could you explain that further?

This is the kind of thing j is talking about, just to give you a picture of what it looks like:

Thanks Kathy, I was in a bit of a rush when posting earlier and my photobuket was acting up.

35/40 mins for 3 times a day is ok for that age x

Tug of war is a great way to burn off some energy for days when the weather is bad.

There are lots of indoor games too we have a horse whip with a sock tied to the end Darcy loves it

Have a read through this for some ideas :- https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t32839-indoor-dogs-games

_Hayley_ wrote:There are lots of indoor games too :)we have a horse whip with a sock tied to the end Darcy loves it

Have a read through this for some ideas :- https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t32839-indoor-dogs-games

Don't know why but horse whip with a sock tied to the end sounds so funny! Would be interesting in getting one of those back packs for Bane when he is older, thanks for mentioning it J!

It's really great exercise Hun, here:- http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/lunge-whip-2-piece-black-200cm.html

What do you do just tease her with it so she chases it and then move it?

Yep exactly play tug too once she's caught it

Horse whip with sock tied on? Ha, love it!!! We walk Koda on lead for 30 mins in morn & bout 40mins each nite and play with him (chasing ea other, his ball, tug of war etc) for the best part of an hour after our dinner too (when his has settled). Hes about to turn 5 months.

Sounds like good fun Hayley will keep it in mind