tree Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Hi all. We have a 5 month old Great Dane pup, and I was just wondering if it's safe to exercise him yet? We have heard from some people that you should never exercise them before 12 months, and some people say it's ok to walk them and stuff. Just not really sure. We started taking him on small (very short) walks about a month ago. He's such an active pup that he needs to burn his energy off somehow. Playing in the backyard is a daily ritual as well. Usually after his little walk he trots straight into our room and sleeps for a couple of hours. I'm just not sure if we will damage his hips and knee's or not. When I say short walk, I mean about 10mins, around the park and that's it. I'd really love some views guys. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilyW Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Yes i have wanted to know the same thing. We take Lily out every night, but not for too long. We have too, she has so much energy and needs to get out - but if we want to do training or something, we take her next door where there is a reserve. Have a play and bring her home.. i assume this is ok?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♪♫LMBC♫♪ Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Walking him should be fine. I have never heard of any reason not to. What you need to avoid at this young age is excessive jumping. The pressure of landing from a jump puts pressure on the joints and hips in young pups. So no hurdles or bounding down all the stairs in one giant leap as my friends dane seems to enjoy :p Oh, and I assume he is vaccinated? This should be done before leaving the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 What does your breeder say? At 5 months house play and training should be enough for them. ( That includes any puppy schools or obedience you do) Sway is 6 months on Thursday she still doesn't get walks. She has training, house play, obedience and shows. No need to rush her bones or over do it. "Try" to limit jumping, sliding, running/walking on hard ground (tends to jolt bones around) * Walk on the grass not the road or footpath. By no way am i an expert, just going off what i have been told and read. We need pictures!!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akitaowner Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 i have been taking my guys out from around 6 months for short walks - i think its important for training and socailisation - ill often drive to places and just sit and have an ice cream or brekkie with them with me so they get out and about early without too much walking. then they get to meet other strange dogs and lots of people - experience bikes, strollers, skateboards etc without freaking out! i consider its nothing more than them running round the yard for 5 minutes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibbiemax71 Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I was told by my GSD breeder no more than 5 mins on lead exersise as it is "forced" exersise until they are 12 months old, I took her for small walks around the block so she could meet people and see cars, bikes etc, took her to obedience at the GSD club, they said it was ok to let her run around in an off leash area as she would stop when she had enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawprints Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I have a 4 month old Rottie pup and I have taken him for small walks since 3 1/2 months. By small I mean up the milkbar and back which is about 200 metres. I don't walk fast, let him go at his own pace, and don't drag him etc. Its good to keep it a small walk too because with the big breed pups, like yours and mine, the further you go from the house, the further you have to carry them back if they tire ;) and soon it's impossible to carry them. Plus it's not good to walk them to the point of exhaustion either. To me, running around in the backyard is more intensive than a very slow stroll up the road and back. Plus he gets the added benefits of the 'outside world' and socialisation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 ahh thanks for all the replies everyone. Yes he is fully vaccinated, I'm a vet nurse so there's no problems with the health side ;) just the little things I don't really know. Yes we always try and stop him from jumping around but he sometimes slides along our floor as we have polished timber flooring and it's impossible not to, but this only happens when he's barelling around being a dope. We play with him alot, and run around the back yard, and he's been through puppy pre-school. We are enrolling him in obedience soon but have to wait until after we get back from holidays in a few weeks. He never get's tired on the walks, he's still pulling by the time we get back home. We take him everywhere with us so he's pretty well socialised, just very protective of us, but I've read that's in the breed. Thanks again for the help guys. I think we will continue little 10min walks 2-3 times a week even just to keep his socialisation skills up and i'll post some photo's soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tree Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Hope these don't come out to big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tibbiemax71 Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 awww, he is very cute ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doghouse Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Ohhhh, I want a dane. My BF's have a beautiful bitch and I want one of their puppies when she finally gets around to it... Man what I would give to have a farm of my own, with all my favorite breeds all under one roof - it would be absolute bloody chaos. I was told not to exercise giant breeds (apart from short walks etc) until their major growth pattern has ceased... We dont run the working dogs full time until they are around 10 months... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawprints Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Man what I would give to have a farm of my own, with all my favorite breeds all under one roof - it would be absolute bloody chaos. I second that dream!!! Was acouring the real estate papers on the weekend for a nice place but *sigh* the money factor always ruins it. Tree - He is gorgeous!!! What a cutie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hope these don't come out to big. He is gorgous, gorgous, gorgous. I want to hug and kiss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now