axxl Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 Hi all! I have noticed in a few threads recently that some people have mentioned exercise should be kept to a minimum for puppies. How much is too much for a large breed? I have a 4 month old GR and was wondering if anyone could advise me on how many times a week, and for how long these walks should be? I would hate to find out that I am over doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdr71 Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 hi i also have a 4 mth old GR and i have been told that a 10-15min walk is enough. not sure about how often - am hoping a more knowledgeable DOLer will help us both!! Ruth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 With my large breed pups of that age i dont walk them ,they self exercise what i do do is take them out the front to socialize & see the world.If i was to walk them it would be a 15 min max walk down the road & back. You will notice that your puppy will play & then flop when its had enough & generally its in short spurts. What you dont want to do is go ponding the pavement when there joints are still soft & growing. At 4 months the brief walk is socializing & co ordination & lead skills then back to them self exercising . Take it slow & steady by 6 months you can venture further & do a tad more but slow & steady is a must. Even if you do obedience classes good clubs break up the class time to suit puppies needs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axxl Posted November 24, 2005 Author Share Posted November 24, 2005 Oh no, I have walked her longer than that! ;) What would walking to long do to them? I though walking would be safe exercise that wouldnt strain their joints? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 Everyone has different views on this but I don't believe in exercising puppies at all. A romp round the yard should be enough for them, formal walks just place a lot of stress on bones and joints and is unnecessary. I do however take them everywhere with me to socialise them. To each their own but I know I have fit and heathly dogs well into their teens while my fellow breeder who starts roadworking her dogs very young has cripples at 9-10. Around 9mths I might start taking them for a gentle stroll but no long walks until they are fully mature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 I too dont beleive in walks for pups. Take them everywhere for socialisation certainly, but even around the block is too far for a young pup IMO. If you want to get them out of the yard for exercise, best to put them in the car and take them to the park where they can have a run around and explore and flop down when they want to. Then pick them up and take them home in the car again. Too much walking puts stress on the growth plates in the bones which are at that age still soft and not hard like regular bone. Damaged growth plates can lead to problems with growth and can create bone and joint problems leading to pain and arthritis etc later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazz Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 I don't walk puppies either the only time I'll walk them is lead training so only about 5-10mins inside or on grass (no uneven, loose terrain). What do you guys think about stopping puppies in self exercise ? Just that my new girl goes full ball (longest about 20 min) in spurts throughtout the day and I try to discourage her running full pelt on the floor boards so she doesn't splay joints. What do you guys think - let her do it or stop her when things start getting too much ? Axxl: sorry for hogging your post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi Posted November 24, 2005 Share Posted November 24, 2005 Hazz, i'd only let her do her puppy 'zoomies' outside in a fenced yard, inside is asking for an injury, either by slipping or crashing into something. Axxl, a puppy being walked further away from home, can't just flop down when its tired, so they keep walking and can damage the growth plates in their legs (the knobbly bits) just let her do her puppy 'thing' in the garden, and tiny walks on lead, say five to ten minutes at the most. If you were just strolling on your walks, your pup should be fine, but most importantly, stop the long walks now. Puppies will gallop and play in the garden, and develop muscle at their own pace, once she is older, you can do longer walks, but until a year old, I feel concrete or pavement should be only a small part of the walk, make it a park if you have one. I also agree with the comment on training, I take my young wolfies to training, but only do half the class, and have an agreement with the trainer, that we don't do the 'sits' when we stop, firstly because its a huge strain on those big baby bones, and we show them, and don't want them sitting in the ring. don't worry to much axxl, just enjoy your pup, and she will grow strong and sound if you keep the lead walks to a minimum. Car trips and little strolls around the shops are fine, and important for socialising. fifi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axxl Posted November 25, 2005 Author Share Posted November 25, 2005 Thanks for answering my questions, I will stop taking her for such long walks. I feel so bad, I hope I havent done any damage already. I wish my breeder had of told me this, or even my vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 What do you guys think about stopping puppies in self exercise ? Just that my new girl goes full ball (longest about 20 min) in spurts throughtout the day and I try to discourage her running full pelt on the floor boards so she doesn't splay joints. What do you guys think - let her do it or stop her when things start getting too much ? I also don't encourage playing inside but outside I let them place the limits. My only limitation on them is rough play with other dogs esp if one of them is bigger. In my experience that is when a lot of accidents and injuries happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 What do you guys think about stopping puppies in self exercise ? Just that my new girl goes full ball (longest about 20 min) in spurts throughtout the day and I try to discourage her running full pelt on the floor boards so she doesn't splay joints. What do you guys think - let her do it or stop her when things start getting too much ? I agree with fifi. No puppy zoomies inside, and never on hard/slippery floors. It is good practice anyway to teach them from a young age that running in the house is not allowed Outside on grass is fine. I would discourage too much running on hard surfaces or in places where there are too many things to crash into or get caught up on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 When I was researching Great Danes, I read that pups of the large breed variety should not have forced exercise in their first 6 months to a year. The pups can certainly run around on their own and play but shouldn't be forced to exercise such as walks and runs. If you're experienced with the breed I guess you make your own decisions as to when they're ready or to check with the breeder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyl Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 I bring my two to the park to play with other dogs for about 30-45 mins a day. Maddy(6 month GSD) runs for a while then just plops herself down and rests when she gets tired. At home she plays a bit and has her rests. Is this too much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Taking a young puppy for extended walks on a lead is akin to making a human toddler jog around the block. Self-exercise is safest and more fun for any baby. 10 or 15 minutes on a lead per day just in the front or backyard for lead training is sufficient. Any more than this can cause early wear and tear on major joints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vickie Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 This is a pretty good, simple article discussing diet & exercise & links to problems with hips & joints. It certainly makes you think: http://www.showdogsupersite.com/hips.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllieB Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 What about when you take them to the beach and they just run & run & run, of their own accord ? At 10 - 11 months our's seems to just be unstopable. Plays with everyone and their dog, chases seagulls, bounds through the water with absolute joy ! Should we restrict her excitement for fear of overexercising herself ?? We just walk along steadily and she just bounds around us having a ball. Never likes to get too far away though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifi Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Ellieb, she will stop when she's had enough, and flop or just stroll beside you. As long as you are keeping an eye on her, and maybe pop her on lead every now and again for a little rest. The main problem for pups, in this topic is long on lead walks, especially on road or pavement, where the young dog walks past their normal burst and rest. and the pounding a pavement can give to young bones. fifi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JENCOL Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Here is the link to an article written by well known GSD exhibitor and judge Fran Farley. Although it speaks specifically about GSD I think you can relate it to any breed. I included a copy of this for all my puppy buyers as it is very easy to read with no overload of info. http://www.gsdcv.org.au/articles/breed/puppy_exercise.htm Cheers Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axxl Posted November 30, 2005 Author Share Posted November 30, 2005 Definately a good idea to include some written info in the puppy packs! I wish my breeder had told me this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel 45 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 For a dog of Dane size, personally from all that I have read I believe they shouldn't have offleash/running exercise until they're around 18 months old. With my whippet x, he's 10 months and I'm quite happy for him to pelt around the oval off leash.. but he's a tad more coordinated than my dane was! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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