Too much exercise?

Hi ya,

It never occurred to me that you could over exercise a dog but just lately, I'm starting to wonder if that's the case with our Scooby.

He is taken out for 1.5-2 hours every day and although the walk (for us) is about 3 miles around the Chase, Scooby is chasing the ball and bringing it back constantly, so during that time he has covered a lot of ground and at speed too.

He's happy though and keeps wanting us to throw the ball.

But in the last week or so, he just seems knackered when at home and stretches a lot too. But then take him out and he's sprinting all over the place. I'm starting to think that maybe we should limit the ball chasing while out walking to give his muscles a rest from the previous day?

Am I over thinking it? Or should I just carry on as normal?

How old is Scooby?

Over exercising a young dog can do irreparable damage to the joints, so walks should be kept to the rule of 5 minutes per month of age for the first 6 months or so.

In an older dog arthritis should be considered if walking seems is becoming uncomfortable for your dog.

Maybe pop along to the vet to have a word just to put your mind at rest.

He's 14 months old so old enough for proper walks and hopefully not too old for arthritis?

I've just introduced him...
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t60086-hello-meet-scooby

My 19 Month old is called nel and has 2 hours a day off lead training and play in walsall arboretum every day yes it tires her out and she sleeps alot after but it's roughly one hour training and 1 hour running round like a lunatic. Whilst we are walking round the arbo there is not ball throwing just let her run and explore training is when I do the ball play with her. So I don't think scooby has to much excersise

Sounds like reasonable advise from Jay above given that he has one of a similar age, perhaps ease off on the ball throwing and see if it makes a difference

-Ian- wrote:Sounds like reasonable advise from Jay above given that he has one of a similar age, perhaps ease off on the ball throwing and see if it makes a difference

I would agree as well. Suki lets us know when she is tired. If she doesn't want to run or jog on lead it lets us know to shorten the walk. If she is asking to play before her walk in the house it lets us know a longer walk is needed.

-Ian- wrote:Sounds like reasonable advise from Jay above given that he has one of a similar age, perhaps ease off on the ball throwing and see if it makes a difference

haha that's the problem. The ball acts as a distraction from the birds

He sees a bird and he's off!

Thanks for the replies, I'll keep things as they are for now and look for signs that he's had enough while we are out - not had any as yet.

a dog will never let you know when it its tierd unless it has gone beyond its limits which isnt good. my boy is off working with a cut paw this week even though it healed last week, he is raring to go. im not risking it so a week of howling and me getting floored when i get in by an excited dog is nothing to pay for his well being in the long run