Walking And Exercise

[Mustang66]

Hi all

I have a Standard Poodle Puppy, he is 16 weeks old and by no means a small dog. Just wondering how do you know how far is too far at that age to take them walking?

Hope that makes sense....I got a larger dog (instead of a toy poodle which I have always had in the past) to go on longer walks and jogs with me.

But twice now, he gets about 1 km and just sits and decides no more thanks...halfway to get the Sunday papers. It's a mighty feat to carry a 18kg dog back home...(well, would have been. Thank god for mobile phones and a friend that didn't live too far away to come pick me up).

I am just wondering will that improve bit by bit as he gets older? Will he be able to walk further as he gets older? or am I expecting too much of him?

Thanks

[Miranda]

Yes you are expecting far too much of him, excessive exercise and roadwork at this age is potentially harmful to growing joints and ligaments. Drive your puppy down to get the Sunday papers and take him for a little walk around the shops, this will provide socialisation which is all the puppy needs at this age, running around in the backyard is quite enough exercise at this tender age.

I wouldn't be doing any 4 km walks until your dog is at least 1 year of age.

[Snap]

I've heard that it can be very damaging on a young puppy's bones and joints to go on long walks.

http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?...c=73379&hl=

[Mustang66]

Yes you are expecting far too much of him, excessive exercise and roadwork at this age is potentially harmful to growing joints and ligaments. Drive your puppy down to get the Sunday papers and take him for a little walk around the shops, this will provide socialisation which is all the puppy needs at this age, running around in the backyard is quite enough exercise at this tender age.

I wouldn't be doing any 4 km walks until your dog is at least 1 year of age.

Thankyou Miranda

Yes, I thought that was possibly the case. Just wanted to check with other dog lovers on their advice.

[Mustang66]

I've heard that it can be very damaging on a young puppy's bones and joints to go on long walks.

http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?...c=73379&hl=

Thankyou Doglover

Going to read it now.

[InspectorRex]

Ditto to what Miranda said

If you want to give your Standard Poodle every chance of Not having bone issues etc etc exercise it lightly until fully grown( no jumping in or out of cars, up and down of things etc etc).

Nice little walks.

[Diesel the Weasel]

Does this apply to small dogs as well? I have a 9 week old mini schnauzer with lots of energy, so I have been taking him for long walks on the beach. He seems to cope ok, but I don't want to damage him!

[Norskgra]

It goes for all dogs.

I wouldn't be taking a 9 week old pup out for walks at all until it is fully vaccinated.

[kazzakanary]

Good to know - I was wondering when Piper would handle a 4 km walk!

[BT-Argo]

Its ironic how there is confilctring information.. it becomes very confusing for first time dog owners.

You read some dog training books and they say to walk the puppy from 12 weeks of age once the 2nd vaccination is done... they also say to go to puppy school to start training to sit. stay and to become accustomed to being on a leash

Then you get some other books like Cesars Way saying you must take your dogs on long walks as it fullfills their need for work and achievement... (he does not refer to adult or puppies just dogs)

In this post owners are saying to hold back on long walks... but if you live in an apartment a dog needs some form of exercise.. so at 16 weeks Cant he go for a walk in the park on grass ???

Arent puppies supposed to learn how to be on a leash etc?

Mustang I am wanting to get a toy poodle... as an adult how much walking / jogging can they handle as i like to go for a 1/2 walk in mornings and night.

Edited October 31, 2006 by Curious

[Diesel the Weasel]

It is so confusing! Some internet sites say to start training them to walk on the leash and socialize them from an early age, and others say not to take them out of your house until after the 2nd vacc.

I rang a vet to ask as I live in a unit, so don't have a big yard which makes it hard to use up my pups energy. The vet said the beach (near the water) was ok to walk a puppy as long as I made sure he doesn't sniff any dogs that aren't vaccinated. But she didn't say anything about what distance a puppy should be able to walk.

Even when my puppy is 12 weeks, what distance should I be walking him for?

[sas]

Asking your Breeder is always a good place to start, they know their dogs best