How far can I walk the puppy?

[sharman 2004]

I've read on here that running with a puppy isn't the best idea due to growth plates not being fully developed, etc. However, I like to walk a lot and when I walk I go anywhere from 3-4 miles. I walk faster than a leisurely pace but definitely slower than a run. My girl is 20 weeks old. She has already started going on shorter walks with me but I'd like to know when I can start taking her my full route. My walks normally last about 40-45 minutes.

[rottcrazed]

By 4 months, my puppies are keeping up with the group on our daily walks. We don't do crazy, long hikes or anything, but I do walk anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes 2 times a day.

I don't allow off-leash running, I keep the pups on a leash and build it to a flexi-leash, I control running and jumping, but I have always found puppies are able to handle 45 minutes to an hour by 4 - 5 months.

I don't run them or allow a lot of heavy play (my older girls tend to run, chase, fall, jump, etc... ), but exercise, controlled exercise, is a must.

Kristi

[karenjean]

"I don't allow off-leash running"

Really? When is off leash time appropriate then? We have been taking Harley with us to the wooded trails around our house (we live by an army base with MILES of forests and trails) since we got her. Is this a no-no? She is at her own speed and I go with two kids so it is about 2 or 3 miles and takes about an hour to do (with all the stops to throw rocks in the pond, look at mushrooms, let them play in the puddles, etc). SHe is great with recall and is naturally inclined to stay close to us. So I am just wondering if we should not be allowing her this. SHe runs crazy across a field for about 5 minutes when we initially get there. And she roughhouses with our older dog (she instigates).

Oh and she is 6.5 months. So does this make the difference??
And is she okay to swim? Because she absolutely LOVES the pond and the boys think it is great to play with the chuck it and watching her swim out to get it.

[Katie K]

Originally Posted by karenjean

"I don't allow off-leash running"
And is she okay to swim? Because she absolutely LOVES the pond and the boys think it is great to play with the chuck it and watching her swim out to get it.

Any vet I've ever spoken to has said that swimming is an excellent exercise for older dogs with HD or arthritis. There is minimal impact on the joints. If an older arthritic dog with HD can do it, why not a 6 month old pup.