walking

[dragontear2s]

I went to a pet expo the other day and saw a 15 weeks old rott pup. The puppy wieghed abotu 30 lbs, but had rippling muscles. The woman who had him also had a full grown Dobi. She said that she walked the 2 of them 3 miles a day and that her little guy could keep the pace of the adult. My question is, is it wrong to walk your dog that much, or is it good for the puppies. I take my little girl for 3 short walks each day, but mainly play with her inside. Her muscles aren't nearly as defined, but I wanted to find out if that is ok. I plan on showing her, so I am trying to do everything right for her development. Thanks for the advice.

[RottnKid1]

As far as I'm concerned, that's way too much exercise for a pup! At that age, very short walks are adequate, especially since healthy pups will get the exercise they need by playing. That woman will be fortunate, indeed, if her pup doesn't end up with orthopedic problems.

[Carina43]

From everything I've heard, that is WAY too much sustained exercise for a 12 week old puppy. My last pup developed panosteitis; and the vet told me it was probably because I overdid the walks with him. The breeder I got my latest pup from made me promise no walks longer than a few blocks until 6 months of age, and no serious day hikes until 18 months.

At 16 weeks, Cooper wears himself out playing with doggy buddies in the back yard or tearing around the house playing with his toys. I cannot imagine walking him three miles!

[Joe's dog]

Like they say, too much is never good for anything. I walk my 4 months old male 2 or 3 times a day for 15 mins or less then when we come back home, I play with him in the back yard until he get's de-interested.
Sometime, when he get's too rowdy in the hose, I put on my roolerblade and take him around the bloc for a run. That usually do it. By the way, he is 50 pds and boy! is he muscular.. Good luck

[Anja]

My vet warned against too much exercise for the pups. He said that large breeds that tend to grow quickly already have a lot of stress on the body. I took his advice and kept the exercise to short walks a few times a day.