Walking?

[Urika]

My puppy will be 4 months this upcoming Wednesday. He will only walk about a block... is that a normal range for his age? But he will walk farther if and only if someone or someone and their dog are with us.

Any suggestions as to how I can get him walk a little more with just me? He is averaging about 3-5 pounds a week. I would like to keep him lean with moderate exercise. Thanks in advance!

[diddybopper04]

I'm not sure where you live, but where I am it is HOT and really humid. My dogs are not interested in much exercise in these conditions.

Puppies can be more sensitive to hot and cold extremes outdoors.

I would not force ANY exercise on a puppy. Even mild walking, if he does not want to.

[Brooke&Ryan]

I totally agree with Diddybopper.

At that age Julius would go outside in the yard & play for a bit or we might walk for about a block if he was willing. We never made him walk further than he wanted to. His interest in walks started increasing after that. I don't really remember when he started wanted to walk further but it was probably around 5-6 months old.


Brooke

[DKKennels]

Ok, I have to ask. Please tell me your DOG'S name isn't "diddybopper"! LOL

[diddybopper04]

well, yep, I'm afraid it is.

;)

she get's called "dids" for short a lot.

[TrishB]

Originally Posted by diddybopper04

I'm not sure where you live, but where I am it is HOT and really humid. My dogs are not interested in much exercise in these conditions.

Puppies can be more sensitive to hot and cold extremes outdoors.

I would not force ANY exercise on a puppy. Even mild walking, if he does not want to.

I second that.

It is very hot for a pup mid-day. You'll find most of us walking our dogs in the early morning or the evening - when it's cooler. Our dogs overheat very easily - so never force them to keep moving if they're giving you a clear indication that they're getting stressed / over worked.

At 4 months (16 - 18 weeks of age), your puppy is still VERY young. All exercise at this point is up to him - they'll often play and rest in intervals. But they control the tempo, intensitiy, etc. You won't have to start worring about the amount of exercise for a while. Right now, it should be all about opportunities to interact, play, socialize (with people and other animals) and have fun. Are you in obedience classes yet? By this age, they should be.

Best of luck.

[Urika]

Thanks everyone. I want to make it clear that I never ever force him to walk. I follow his lead! We always walk in the early morning or late afternoon. I, for one, don't like humidity. I just noticed if we happen to be walking with neighbors or their pups, he's all for it.

[Urika]

Sorry! I forgot to add that Diesel has been in puppy K since he was 10 weeks:)

[Sargeant_C]

Sarge walks all over town with us and he is 11 weeks old. If it is hot I bring along a water dish so we can stop and refresh. He does not insist on the water but I sure do. I do not want him overheating.
And when I am walking with him I talk to him. Of course he does not understand what I am saying but he likes my voice so it is comforting. I also play with him in our back yard and that is time for him to run like a silly dog.
I have done this with him since we have had him. One I need the exercise and two it helps him associate with all the town ppl. I live in a very small lil town. At first he did not want to leave our yard area and I had to coax him into walking. Then he realized this could be fun. Now all I have to do is grab his leash and say Walk.