How Much Exercise Is Too Much?

[Niki8]

Hi guys,

I am getting a lab pup at the end of November and am trying to read lots and lots beforehand to have some basic knowledge as this will be our first dog. I have found lots of very interesting and useful info in here but have a question in my head related to a thread from yesterday about elbow dysplasia. I know labs are quite prone to hip/elbow dysplasia and even though I am getting a pup from a breeder whose dogs have very low scores, there is always a chance a lab can develop this condition due to environmental factors. My question is how much exercise is too much? I guess the older the pup, the longer walks I can do with him but I really don’t have any idea…My partner and I are both quite active people and we spend lots of time bush walking, jogging and doing other sports…I am excited to have our new pup with us soon and can imagine how much fun it will be but want to make sure we don’t overexercise him and cause some related health problems…thanks in advance for your comments and shared experiences :)

[canine fun sports]

Hi guys,

My question is how much exercise is too much?

I probably keep my puppies more exercised than most, but it has a lot to do with the type of exercise, as much as the amount of exercise.

Some basic principles:

• Build up the amount of exercise gradually.
  
• Free running in the park, on grass or through the bush is much healthier for bones and joints than pounding pavements.
  
• With puppies, do not do any "concussive" exercise, such as jumping down from a height or go over big jumps, especially toward the end of an exercise period when the pup's muscles are already tired.
  
• Repetitive exercise, for example, trotting long distance, especially on hard surfaces, is not healthy exercise for pups. It is better for them to be changing gait, changing direction, changing the surface that they run on.
  
• Young pups should not jump anything over hock height, although jumping over the occasional log on a bush walk is not going to be a problem.
  
• Pups should be kept lean - you should be able to feel their back ribs quite easily and they should have a good waist and tuck up.
  
• strong muscle helps protect the joints and ligaments, and tired muscle cannot do this as well
  
• Movement in the joints during exercise helps keep the joints lubricated and healthy
  

So, from this, we can conclude that pups should get a moderate amount of exercise, but build it up gradually, keep the pup slim and do not have them taking too many flying leaps, especially when they are tired.

My young pup, at just over 3 months of age, does charge around all day trying to keep up with the big dogs in the 2 acre home yard and on runs up to the dam, but there is no forced exercise - she chooses how much she wants to do. And she is kept slim. And the amount of running around she does has gradually built up.

You can see my general advice on bringing up German Shorthaired Pointers on the website http://caninefunsports.com.au/fenrik%20puppy%20info/puppy%20advice.htm and most of it is also applicable to labs.

[Salukifan]

Ask your dog's breeder.

My general rule of thumb is no onlead exercise (other than for training) before 6 months, controlled offlead exercise and no being pounded by larger dogs down the dog park. Only limited retrieving and no repetitive ball chasing.

After six months, limited onlead exercise and no really long walks before 12 months of age.

Your pup will be assisted by being kept thin enough for most people to tell you he's skinny (yes, Labradors can have some rib showing) and for others to question whether or not he's purebred. :laugh:

[Niki8]

Thank you so much guys...it gives me some idea about how much and what to do and what not... :) Thanks for the link 'canine fun sports', great info and beautiful pics:-)

[Niki8]

Your pup will be assisted by being kept thin enough for most people to tell you he's skinny (yes, Labradors can have some rib showing) and for others to question whether or not he's purebred. :laugh:

[Saffioraire]

A nice little article about management.

http://www.showdogsu...e.com/hips.html

ETA: not all parts are relevant for you, but it's worth the read for the parts that are.

Edited August 15, 2012 by Saffioraire

[Niki8]

Thanks Saffioraire :) ...it's a very interesting article...I guess I am lucky that I work just 4hrs/day and will be able to spend most of the time with the pup... :) I am very excited, counting the days down :D

[Dame Aussie]

Thanks Saffioraire :) ...it's a very interesting article...I guess I am lucky that I work just 4hrs/day and will be able to spend most of the time with the pup... :) I am very excited, counting the days down :D

We need pics once you have pup home too!! :D

[BCNut]

Hi Niki

I just asked a very similar (if not the same) question over on the puppy forum recently about my BC pup.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/239745-how-much-do-you-exercise-your-bc-pup/

Hopefully you can pick up some extra info there too.

I have found that mental exercise is just as effective (if not more effective) at tiring them out. But as far as physical exercise goes, what has already been said; consider the surface you're on, avoid jumping and 'forced' exercise.

[sandgrubber]

See the reference in the post by SkySoaring Magpie in 'Studies about Dogs' above (reposted below). Scientific work seems to show that pups that get a lot of exercise are likely to end out with better hips. . . . though stairs weren't good. The study was based on questionaires to owners of 500 dogs and followed their histories over 10 years.

http://www.scienceda...20326112842.htm

Quoting from the article: "Puppies born in the spring or summer [in Norway, where winter-born pups stay indoors] and at breeders who lived on a farm or small holding, had a lower risk of developing HD. After about eight weeks, the puppies began life with their new owner. The opportunity to exercise daily in parks up until the age of three months reduced the risk of HD, whereas the daily use of steps during the same period increased the risk. Overall, it would appear that daily exercise out in gently undulating terrain up until the age of three months gives a good prognosis when it comes to preventing HD."

Edited August 16, 2012 by sandgrubber

[dancinbcs]

Hi Niki

I just asked a very similar (if not the same) question over on the puppy forum recently about my BC pup.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/239745-how-much-do-you-exercise-your-bc-pup/

Hopefully you can pick up some extra info there too.

I have found that mental exercise is just as effective (if not more effective) at tiring them out. But as far as physical exercise goes, what has already been said; consider the surface you're on, avoid jumping and 'forced' exercise.

And you need to be twice as careful with a Lab as you do with a BC because they are heavier at a younger age.

The best guide to how much and what type of exercise will be the Lab breeder your puppy comes from.

[Niki8]

Thanks guys so much:-) I will read through it...I've thought someone might have already asked a similar question in the forums, thanks lots Caind01 for the link:-) Yep, will ask my breeder when we are around:-) I guess by then I'll have quite a few more questions to ask...

Will take heaps of pics Aussie3 :D Another 3.5 months to go though before bringing the little boy home...awww, can't wait :D

[espinay2]

What NOT to Do

The most damaging forms ofexercise for a growing pup (particularly a large breed pup) are the following:

· Regular use of stairs, in particular running up and down

· Jumping from a height such as out of a vehicle, off a retaining wall or off a bed or furniture.

· Rough play, such as body slamming, blocking or being rolled, particularly with a larger dog.

· Long walks on lead, particularly on hard surfaces such as paths and roadways.

Using stairs, jumping and rough play can cause damage to growing bones and joints as they cause the limbs to jolt sharply, which can cause tears and chips in the soft cartilage. These tears and chips can cause the bonesand joints to break down in parts and not form correctly as they grow. Long walks on lead wear the puppy out, can make them sore (even though they may not show it all the time) and does not allow the pup to rest when it needs to keep going until the end of the walk. The repetitive motion of the walk, particularly when on harder surfaces can also put stress on growing joints and ligaments, also causing them to break down. Pups may compensate for the sore parts if they need to keep going, which may then affect other muscles, joints and ligaments due to their irregular gait.

So, how do I exercise my pup?

The absolute best form of exercise for a growing pup is free running and play, particularly on an undulating surface (e.g. small hills and slopes). You can do this by playing with your young dog in the backyard and taking it to play in other safe offlead areas (be wary of some fenced 'dog parks' though as many dogs in those spaces are not often well socialised or controlled and may not provide your pup with a good experience – use your judgement when deciding to enter!).

If you are unsure about taking your pup offlead, you can provide appropriate exercise by attaching along lead like a horse lunge line and taking your pup to an area such as a park or sporting field to play (I don't like 'flexi-leads' as they teach a pup to maintain tension on a lead and pull). You may need to drive them there if it is not close by. By using a long line such as this, your pup has the freedom to move and play, but can be more safely controlled if their recall is not that good. Remember to allow your pup plenty of opportunity to rest as well as exercise in a 'free' manner.

Can I take my pup out on lead?

Yes! Not taking your pup on long walks does not mean you never take your pup out on a lead. In fact teaching your pup to be on a lead and taking it out to a wide variety of places is very important. However, you should view these outings not as physical exercise, but as training, socialisation and mental stimulation. Take your young dog to places like the local shops, pet store, local school, sporting games and out the front of your house as well as to places like your local vet clinic, obedience club and other fun doggy activities (but of course wait a while before you do something like the walk part of the Million Paws Walk!)

Edited August 16, 2012 by espinay2

[Niki8]

Great post espinay2 :) Some great ideas:-) Thanks heaps!