How long should Molly's walks be?

Hi everyone.
Molly is an extremely lively, confident 19 week old, who loves going for walks. We are lucky enough to live right next door to the river Thames and some very large parkland where Molly loves nothing better than going for a run around when I get home from work. My missus is at home most of the day so she gets taken for a walk along the river on the lead for about 40 minutes during the day. Some nights (but not all) I take her to the park for a run and let her off the lead when she meets a friendly dog. She will play for ever with and runs around like a lunatic until she's thoroughly knackered.
Is this too much exercise for her? we have read that she should only get 5 minutes walk for every month old she is, because too much can damage her development. Our trainer at puppy class said she can go for much more as long as we don't overdo it.
We both love walking her but don't want her to come to any harm.

Hiya! What you have read is correct, at 19 weeks you need to be very careful not to over exercise, as it can cause all sorts of damage to joints etc in the long run. The general rule is 5 minutes per month but that can be twice a day. So at 18 weeks I would say a 25 minute walk morning and evening. This doesn't limit play at home/in the garden though, and mental stimulation in the form of training new tricks/interactive feeding will really tire her out too.

Hi Rachel
Thanks very much. I am definitely giving her a bit too much, so i will reign it in a bit. Its a shame though because we both just love a walk.
My missus has been telling me this for a couple of weeks now so she will be happy to be right (for once).

not to worry, you can increase the time each month and by 18 months she will take all of the exercise you can offer! You can still stay out for as long as you have been, but just ensure she's not active that entire time. Maybe sit on the grass/a bench and chill for part of the time.

Pepper has 2x20 minute walks, although it can take a good 45 minutes of being out because we have to stop/sniff/look and greet everyone and everything lol

I think we will just have to cut it down to two 25 minute walks per day. She is going to have a big sulk on the way home but I am sure she will get used to it.
The other day when we had to cut our walk short she just sat in the middle of the path and I had to drag her home.

Yup they can be stubborn things when they want to be

Staffy stubborn never

Rachel33 wrote:Hiya! What you have read is correct, at 19 weeks you need to be very careful not to over exercise, as it can cause all sorts of damage to joints etc in the long run. The general rule is 5 minutes per month but that can be twice a day. So at 18 weeks I would say a 25 minute walk morning and evening. This doesn't limit play at home/in the garden though, and mental stimulation in the form of training new tricks/interactive feeding will really tire her out too.

I agree and best to play it safe. I know it's hard though because they do love to exercise.

You could always start a puppy socialisation class with her to keep things interesting? Or if you have friends with dogs/pups invite them over for play dates at the house?

Hi Rachel

Thankfully she is getting loads of socialisation in her day to day life, both human and dog. Her appetite for interaction is insatiable. this is probably why i have been walking her for too long as I have kind of thought the benefits would outweigh the negatives. but if it means her health may suffer it's obviously got to stop.

luckily we live right round the corner from a well established dog training centre where she has been doing her puppy classes on a weekly basis and is going to start her bronze classes this Sunday. The centre also has a permanent agility course so I am hoping she will be able to give that a go next year when she is old enough.

Luckily we found a really responsible breeder who knew the benefits of socialisation, so she had a very good start in life. And right from the start we have been out with her down our local high street, showing her off to everyone so she is hopefully going to be a well adjusted, sociable, happy dog.

We love her.  (can you tell)

you guys sound awesome! Lucky pup!!!

brindog wrote:Hi Rachel

Thankfully she is getting loads of socialisation in her day to day life, both human and dog. Her appetite for interaction is insatiable. this is probably why i have been walking her for too long as I have kind of thought the benefits would outweigh the negatives. but if it means her health may suffer it's obviously got to stop.

luckily we live right round the corner from a well established dog training centre where she has been doing her puppy classes on a weekly basis and is going to start her bronze classes this Sunday. The centre also has a permanent agility course so I am hoping she will be able to give that a go next year when she is old enough.

Luckily we found a really responsible breeder who knew the benefits of socialisation, so she had a very good start in life. And right from the start we have been out with her down our local high street, showing her off to everyone so she is hopefully going to be a well adjusted, sociable, happy dog.

We love her.  (can you tell)

She sounds very blessed