How much exercise for a puppy?

[wolf_Q]

Keva is a little over 4 1/2 months old. Lately I've been taking her (with Nebo too) for 30-45 minute walks. She keeps up just fine and doesn't act extremely tired after (she has plenty of puppy energy to burn!) but I'm wondering if that is too much exercise for a pup her age? She also runs around in the yard with Nebo several times a day.

[Kfamr]

IMO, until they are knocked out sleeping, they haven't had enough excercise.

[Husky_mom]

IMO, until they are knocked out sleeping, they haven't had enough excercise.

LOL, yeah.....

puppies sure have a LOT of energy........as long as you don´t force them (which I´m sure you don´t) they´ll be fine.......

puppies are ot supposed to get heavy excercise after eating or drinking too much or jumping too much at younger ages cause joint damage and such, and just like humans you just can run with a full stomach it aches......

other than that it she´s happy let her run until she plops......LOL....

don´t worry you are doing just fine......loved the pics in the other thread, I swear she´s bigger by the minute....

[wolf_Q]

Well I think going for a walk would be considered "forced" exercise because they are on a leash. Not that she acts like she's forced or anything, she's the one howling her head off the minute she sees the leash and wanting to drag me down the road. I make sure I don't feed them right before or after exercising (I wait at least 30 minutes, is that long enough?). I don't encourage jumping, but she jumps a lot when playing with Nebo. I just worry about any joint damage (yes, I'm paranoid).

[borzoimom]

Well I think going for a walk would be considered "forced" exercise because they are on a leash. Not that she acts like she's forced or anything, she's the one howling her head off the minute she sees the leash and wanting to drag me down the road. I make sure I don't feed them right before or after exercising (I wait at least 30 minutes, is that long enough?). I don't encourage jumping, but she jumps a lot when playing with Nebo. I just worry about any joint damage (yes, I'm paranoid).

Jumping something she has to clear is one thing- jumping around on her own to work muscles= she would be fine-..
And we want pictures!! Or the Diva Femka will talk about her sulk.. lol..

[wolf_Q]

Jumping something she has to clear is one thing- jumping around on her own to work muscles= she would be fine-..
And we want pictures!! Or the Diva Femka will talk about her sulk.. lol..

Pics posted last night http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=122488

[Husky_mom]

you are not paranoid, just a good mommy......

and by "forced" I meant you dragging them, not that other way around in which case THEY are forcing you LOL......

about the food/water intake not sure about times, but 30 min-1hour seem a considerate time span.......just like when youeat and have to wait to get into a pool thing.......

[borzoimom]

Good way to put it- I do a good solid hour..
And Wolf Q- the diva femka is satisified and she loved your pictures!!!

[KittyGurl]

I don't think you should be worried about to long of walks and too much jumping. This is what puppies do. They jump, run and just like to have some fun. They got lots of energy to burn, you know.
Just when your done with the walks, make sure there is some water for your dogs to drink. Jumping is just what puppies do. They are very, very, VERY hyper sometimes. Don't be worried or paranoid. This is what pups do

[.sarah]

For large breed puppies it's important not to put stress on the joints. Until the dog is fully grown they should decide how much exercise they get. So basically, you shouldn't be walking her at this point. When they are on a leash they follow their owner and don't stop until their owner stops. When you let her off leash, she can decide when she's tired, when she wants to stop for a break, and when she wants to run more.

[dragondawg]

IMO, until they are knocked out sleeping, they haven't had enough excercise.

Agreed.

My lab mixes I've walked from 2 months onward the 1 mile to the pond thru the woods. At least the 1 mile is what I walk, they usually have put in 3-5 miles chasing the scents across the trail. There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving a large breed or any size in between as much exercise as they wish to help build muscle tone. As another poster mentioned one wouldn't want to give them jumping or agility training until they are full grown. Even then I have never encouraged my Labs to jump.

As for walking immediately before or after meals- absolutely nothing wrong again in giving the dog a mile walk on a leash. Food goes in, puppy boo-boos go out. Dog gets exercised, and is ready to settle down for the night afterwards. A win-win for human and puppy.

[bckrazy]

I would consider long walks forced exercise... especially on a hard, concrete surface in a repetitive motion. I would cut back on those & encourage more natural play exercise, until she's done growing.

I never walked Fozzie much before the past few months, because I worry about long walks putting a lot of stress on the joints. He still did plenty of on-leash work & obedience, just not very much walking for exercise.

[wolf_Q]

Would you really consider her a large breed? She'll most likely be 40-50 lbs full grown.

I called the vets office and she said that was perfectly fine, I didn't talk to the actual vet though, just the receptionist.

My lab mixes I've walked from 2 months onward the 1 mile to the pond thru the woods.

Are you meaning when the dog was 2 months--8 weeks? I can't imagine getting a pup to walk that far, neither Keva or Nebo would even walk all the way down the street on a leash at that age.

[borzoimom]

Would you really consider her a large breed? She'll most likely be 40-50 lbs full grown.

I called the vets office and she said that was perfectly fine, I didn't talk to the actual vet though, just the receptionist.



Are you meaning when the dog was 2 months--8 weeks? I can't imagine getting a pup to walk that far, neither Keva or Nebo would even walk all the way down the street on a leash at that age.

Yup- a 8 week old would not even have the concentration to follow that far..

[dab_20]

With Sammy, I just walked him around the block until he was about 6 months old. Then I slowly increased his walks, but made sure he didn't seem exhausted after the walk. He's not a large size dog, but I don't see how it would differ too much.