Dog Community

How Much Exercise?

Posted : 12/31/2006 11:06:44 AM

When I mentioned that I usually walked my pervious dog (an 8-year old Golden) 2 miles a day, the breeder told me that my Tibetan Terrier puppy couldn't go that far. (That was at 4 months.) I mentioned it again at my puppy kindergarten class (he's 5 months now) and the trainer pretty much said the same thing -- that 2 miles was too far. The Dog Whisperer guy seem to believe in at least 45 minutes of walking each morning, which is about what it took us to do the 2 miles this morning.

Bottom line, I tried it and he seems fine...in fact...he's just as energetic as normal. Ate his breakfast nice and quick and has been playing with his toys all morning. No barking at the cats, no unusual behavior.

IS 2 miles too far? If so, why? What's your opinion?

TIA,

glenmar

Posted : 12/31/2006 11:13:56 AM

I'd go with the breeder and trainer. There is no one on the face of the earth that knows their pups better than a breeder and if s/he says 2 miles is too far, believe it. Once the pup is grown, then maybe that distance will be ok, but for now,there is too much growing going on and important stuff that can be damaged long term by overuse.....

eric tong

Posted : 12/31/2006 5:41:03 PM

why don't you do it at 2 seperate times? when cesar said 45 mins, i really think he meant 45 mins total in a day

Kara

Posted : 12/31/2006 8:16:05 PM

She will be fine is you seperate into a few walks, but puppies do everything with naps in between, like eating, training, and playing, so why shouldn't her walks be broken up?

huskymom

Posted : 12/31/2006 8:30:35 PM

I think that if your pup were to have 45 minutes of free play time, you would find that he would take periodic rests in between. even if its just to lay down and chew on a stick for a minute or two. Unstructured exercise is different from a two mile walk. There is also a difference in the surfaces you walk a puppy on. Pavement can be really hard on the joints. If you really want that 45 minutes, I would take pupper to the park for some dragline time and work on commands rather than making him walk for a straight 45 minutes.

Liz

Posted : 12/31/2006 11:09:23 PM

One 45 walk isn't the best idea. Puppies at that age are still growing, and too much exercise can stunt growth, damage growing bones, etc.

I would (if at all possible) go on three 20 minute walks throughout the day. And monitered play in between.

Karin Rex

Posted : 1/1/2007 11:16:23 AM

Thanks everyone, for your reply. I will split the walks up into two...no longer than 20-25 mins each. Your reasons made sense to me.

mudpuppy

Posted : 1/2/2007 12:40:53 PM

I wouldn't walk a young puppy for even 20 minutes, especially on pavement. Best way to exercise puppies is to let them romp and play over natural ground. Do short leash walks only to practice leash manners and get out and see the world. Once he's grown up, fine, walk him. A two mile walk doesn't seem like very much exercise for a dog-- we usually exercise the adult dogs by going for a five-mile run or going on ten mile hikes.