Too much sleep or too much exercise?

• 09-25-2007 4:02 PM

  pjcampbell Joined on 09-25-2007 Posts 27 Points 5

  Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact My wife and I just got a 7 month old German Shepard  / doberman??? and something-else-pretty-small mix. She is about 35# and healthy.  I have been walking her, 3, 4, 5, 6 miles a day in the morning.  When we come home, she sleeps all day long.  Seems pretty legit to me, but I tried to take her out to do her business and she went right back to the door to go inside as soon as we got out.  I wonder if she is afraid of me taking her on another 2 hour long walk? Should I walk her less... and/or if she has this much exercise should I worry about her not doing anything for the rest of the day?  Is there anything I can do to entertain her inside, or outside but on the leash.  We do not have a fence yet so I can't take her off the leash (so for example, no playing fetch outside). Basically she is great, I just want to make sure that she is happy... I have always heard exercise is the cure to a bored dog so hence my long walks.

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• 09-25-2007 4:15 PM

  In reply to pjcampbell

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 5,727 Points 4,170

  Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact Hmm, my first instinct is to say that 5-7 continuous miles is too long for a pup of that age. A 7 month old of the breeds you mentioned should have lots of energy and they do need a lot of exercise, however it should be the type of exercise that they can stop and go as they need. Such as running around in an off leash safe environment (dog park for example). If your dog is acting pretty sluggish you might consider a full vet check up to make sure that nothing internal is going on - such as a parasite.

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• 09-25-2007 4:46 PM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  SophiesPerson Joined on 09-14-2007 Minneapolis, MN Posts 8 Points 5	Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact Right when I brought my dog home from a shelter she did funny stuff like this.  She would make sure she was between me and the door so that she wouldn't get left behind.
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• 09-26-2007 12:39 AM

  In reply to SophiesPerson

  silverserpher Joined on 10-31-2006 Posts 257 Points 0	Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact  The early transition can be pretty traumatic and that might be causing some of the exhaustion.  My dog slept constantly for the first few weeks.
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• 09-26-2007 9:40 AM

  In reply to silverserpher

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,488 Points 100

  Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact well, exercise is good, but long leash-walks of a pup that age can cause serious joint problems-- pups should never be encouraged to maintain the same steady gait for long periods of time, especially if you're walking her on pavement. Also if you just got her she's probably not "fit" yet and suddenly taking her on such long walks is probably exhausting. The best way to exercise a young pup, if possible, is to put her on long line and let her romp around you while you walk on grass-- got any open fields to walk on?  off leash is better, but she needs to develop a good recall on a long line first. The best way to exercise an adult dog is also not long walks, but taking the dog trotting for 30 to 60 minutes (you have to move fast enough to get the dog into a steady trot). Swimming is even better if you have a place to do it.

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• 09-26-2007 10:47 AM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  Xerxes Joined on 05-08-2006 Posts 5,622 Points 520

  Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact Dogs sleep alot.  Puppies sleep more.  Puppies going through a growth phase sleep even more (around 20 hours/day.)    Your walking should be less than 2 continuous miles per day.  Even then you should change your pace constantly, stop often, maybe sprint a few yards every now and then.  Your pup is most likely stressed physically from the walks, as well as stressed from the growth process, and even further stressed mentally from the re-homing process.  Give your pupper some time to adjust to the routine of the day (It takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks for a dog to fully adjust.) Then as your pup ages, the walks can become longer and longer-but do not forget free time and romping time off lead!

  Filed under: sleep, exercise, puppy Post Points: 0

• 09-26-2007 10:55 AM

  In reply to Xerxes

  stardog85 Joined on 09-10-2007 South Carolina, USA Posts 1,492 Points 105

  Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact My 6.5 month old gets tired after 1.5 miles; I can't imagine going 6 miles!  When Sasha first came to me, she'd flop down on a walk aroudn the 1 mile point, now we go longer with no problems, so what you're probably seeing is a combo of too much distance in general plus a lack of physical condition due to being exercise restricted while at the shelter. Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, and Super Puppy Ziva

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• 09-26-2007 12:33 PM

  In reply to pjcampbell

  pjcampbell Joined on 09-25-2007 Posts 27 Points 5

  Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact Thank you all for the responses.  I am going to take it easy on her for a while starting today.  I guess I have had it drilled into my head that dogs need exercise!   When we walk sometimes I will alternate between running and walking. She seems to like running BUT I would say the majority of it is walking.  We do go to the dog park on weekends where she can get off the leash.  We are also getting a fence for our backyard where she can be off the leash.  Anyway thanks again we will let her rest and get used to us and her new home.

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• 09-29-2007 10:09 PM

  In reply to pjcampbell

  ChillisMom Joined on 09-28-2007 Posts 11 Points 5	Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact  Lol, I have the exact opposite problem, I take my girl for two to four hour walk/runs a day and she is still full of energy, bouncing in the air, running back and forth, gaah.  Also, your girl is too cute! Proud Pit Bull owner Ban BSL
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• 10-02-2007 7:47 PM

  In reply to ChillisMom

  Sunshinegirl Joined on 05-03-2007 Florida, USA Posts 772 Points 535

  Re: Too much sleep or too much exercise? Reply Contact Sounds like a good idea to ease up for a while and find other ways to exercise her in smaller intervals. Just playing in the house or the yard is great and switches things up a little in terms of variety. 3-7 miles does sound like a lot for a pup of that age, even for some adult dogs. That's a long ways for a lot of people!!! BTW she is adorable and looks very healthy! Sunshine Girl

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