Daniel.P.Hughes Webboard User Reg: 02-06-2010
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I need some clarification on young dogs and exercise. My girl (GSD) is now 5 months old.
The only thing to keep in mind I am a disabled vet who can walk but not for long periods.
Currently we play chuck it on grass only. No pavement and we only play solid for about 20 with lots of walking in between. In reality 3 or 4 throws and walking then 3 or4 and walking and so forth.
I have a recumbent bike that I use but I go slow. I am talking about walking pace. So I can "walk" her for about a mile on pavement.
What about mental exercise?
Questions...
When I hear no running till 24 months I assumed it was running on pavement like a bike ride or a jog.
Is it safe to play some chuck it like described?
Is it safe to walk on pave for a mile or so?
And how effective is just mental excerise to include marker training obedience and nosework?
Tracy Collins Webboard User Reg: 10-09-2008
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Others may have a different opinion--but I would have no problem with a one-mile walk on pavement. That's what? 15 minutes of walking? 20 minutes? That's not too much, IMO.
I understand people's concerns about a growing dog's hips and all. But that has to be balanced with the reality that puppies require exercise. I live in the city, and if my dogs are going anywhere, they are walking on a cement sidewalk. As long as a young pup is allowed to sorta set the pace (no forced marches) and you are mindful of not over-doing it, I think what you are describing sounds fine.
Ditto on the chuck-it.
Yes, mental exercise is great and can help tire out a puppy. But sometimes, that energy can only be burned off with actual movement. (Mine like an indoor game of "find it!"--I hide a toy and then they run around looking for it.)
And I'm in awe of your enthusiasm to take on a pup and provide her all this engagement when you have limited mobility yourself. Congratulations.
Others may have a different opinion--but I would have no problem with a one-mile walk on pavement. That's what? 15 minutes of walking? 20 minutes? That's not too much, IMO.
I understand people's concerns about a growing dog's hips and all. But that has to be balanced with the reality that puppies require exercise. I live in the city, and if my dogs are going anywhere, they are walking on a cement sidewalk. As long as a young pup is allowed to sorta set the pace (no forced marches) and you are mindful of not over-doing it, I think what you are describing sounds fine.
Ditto on the chuck-it.
Yes, mental exercise is great and can help tire out a puppy. But sometimes, that energy can only be burned off with actual movement. (Mine like an indoor game of "find it!"--I hide a toy and then they run around looking for it.)
And I'm in awe of your enthusiasm to take on a pup and provide her all this engagement when you have limited mobility yourself. Congratulations.
FWIW, I completely agree with Tracy. What you describe sounds like a very appropriate activity level for a pup this age.
Brief periods of moderate exercise, short marker training sessions, finding fun games that she likes -- it all sounds like you are well on your way to having a happy, healthy, well-adjusted, well-mannered dog.
My pup did a fair amount of running but it was all off leash. I wouldn't have an issue with one mile walks at this age if off leash hikes weren't an option.
Instead of chuck-it for a pup(which I've found to incite crazy bounces and leaps), I'd choose rolling a Frisbee, or using something like a holee roller ball that I can control better and switch back and forth from fetch to tug.
You can also add in some simple body awareness and puppy conditioning training. This will work her brain and body and build skills/muscles that will help keep her sound and healthy.
Fwiw, the 24 m/o recommendation has to do with growth plate closure. They close later in larger breeds. With my Border Collie, several of his siblings were x-rayed and found that theirs were closed by 11-12 m/o so I started adding more structured strenuous activities and some foundation jumping in at about 13 m/o
At that age, you can also start marking training for obedience and other behavior shaping. We found regular training sessions like that were every bit as effective in draining a young pup's energy as moderate exercise.
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