How far do you walk your pups?
Discussion
We've got a six month old collie and my son read that to avoid joint damage in later life, you should only walk them for five minutes per month of age until they are mature, ie a three month pup should get 15 minute walks, a six month pup, 30 minutes and so on.
We've brought up 4 collies in the past and just walked them till they were tired, no problems in later life, all lived healthy lives till between 14 and 17.
We're trying to do right by our latest pup (he'll probably be our last as we'll be too old for another in 15 years) but he's pretty lively after 3 or 4 30 minute walks and some serious playing every day. How far/ long do you walk your pups for?
We've brought up 4 collies in the past and just walked them till they were tired, no problems in later life, all lived healthy lives till between 14 and 17.
We're trying to do right by our latest pup (he'll probably be our last as we'll be too old for another in 15 years) but he's pretty lively after 3 or 4 30 minute walks and some serious playing every day. How far/ long do you walk your pups for?
We're going by the 5 mins per month of age 'thing' with our Cocker Spaniel.
Wife read up on it and thinks it's the best thing we should do. She will also contradict herself and say her and her parents never done this with any of her labs.
We find mental stimulation as if not more important.
Wife read up on it and thinks it's the best thing we should do. She will also contradict herself and say her and her parents never done this with any of her labs.
We find mental stimulation as if not more important.
How can anyone tell if they are doing the right thing? It's not like the dog is at the vets in it's later years with joint problems and the vet asks if you walked the dog for 10mins per month or 15 mins, is it?
We had three dogs at mum & dads, not one had any joint problems and we had an open door house where they could run out whenever they wanted and play outside.
We had three dogs at mum & dads, not one had any joint problems and we had an open door house where they could run out whenever they wanted and play outside.
When I worked with dogs in a security role that involved walking a 3km route once every 90 minutes, dogs under 18 months of age were rotated so they only walked every second patrol so as not to cause them grief with their joints.
I think a lot of this advice is usually reserved for the type of individual that instantly takes their puppy Munro-bagging and 10 mile plus walks each day, for the rest of us sensible lot I think calling it as you see it when you sense the dog is tired will suffice.
I think a lot of this advice is usually reserved for the type of individual that instantly takes their puppy Munro-bagging and 10 mile plus walks each day, for the rest of us sensible lot I think calling it as you see it when you sense the dog is tired will suffice.
My old girl (11) has a bit of joint trouble now, but only occasionally flares up. (usually when she reckons she can do the "big jump down" still) Although I did read that up to 80% of dogs will display arthritic symptoms by the age of 8 (don't know how much truth there is in that) so not sure if it's connected but she has always been subject to larger walks. It's only now we're really starting to slow down with her. Although she wants to go further, I can tell she can't do it anymore. 15 minutes maximum now, really.
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