How much exercise can a dog take?
#83998 - 09/08/2005 11:48 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-30-2005
Posts: 2784
Loc: Toronto, ON
Offline |
|
When walking on foot I can gauge how tired my dog is, how much distance we've covered etc, but I just started having him walk/run alongside my bike so it's easier to maintain a higher speed and cover more ground without noticing it - I took him for a 1.5 mile (ish, maybe a little less, at least a mile) walk/run on a trail today and realized that maybe I was making him do too much - he was panting, but he always pants, it wasn't super fast, it was just the "i've been running n need to pant" type pant, but I noticed he was tiring.
My question is - is there a rule of thumb when taking dogs for bike rides? For example, "stop every 1/4 mile for X amount of minutes and let the dog drink"? How do I know my dog's had enough? What is the average distance a dog can cover like this before you're starting to push it? By average I'm not talking about super high drive dogs that'll keep going till they die - I just mean if you were doing this with your dog, how many miles would you consider a reasonable walk for your dog? He's coming up to 16 months old now.
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Mike J Schoonbrood ]
#83999 - 09/08/2005 11:53 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 03-06-2005
Posts: 134
Loc: Northern Illinois
Offline |
|
Not sure of any rule of thumb, but if I wasn't used to running much I wouldn't want to start off on a mile and one half. If I were you I would start him off with a little less distance. JMHO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Chris
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Chris Hruby ]
#84000 - 09/08/2005 12:20 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-30-2005
Posts: 2784
Loc: Toronto, ON
Offline |
|
Well my reason for trying the bike was because I can't get him worn out on foot, at night when I want to go to bed he still wants to play even after walking around the block and running up and down the street with me multiple times and playing fetch, then we come back in, he relaxes, eats his food, then goes back to running around the house tugging at bed sheets indicating that he wants to play - so I figured, hey I have a bike, he's old enough to be trustworthy now, maybe that will burn off his energy so he'll go to sleep at night...
I think you are right that 1.5 miles was a little much, but he seemed to be fine for the first 3/4 mile at least, the way back he seemed to be a little sluggish, I let him walk ahead of me a little so I could try to maintain a pace that he was comfortable with n he didn't slow down any. I will knock back the distance a little, but it was my first time on that trail so my own eagerness to explore got the better of me hehe. I want to go back one day and do the full 21 miles without him. It's been 7 years since I've done any real bike riding, I forgot how enjoyable it was!
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Mike J Schoonbrood ]
#84001 - 09/08/2005 01:08 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-13-2004
Posts: 3389
Loc: Richmond Va
Offline |
|
Isn't 16 months a little too young for road work? especialy on a bike?
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Dennis Jones ]
#84002 - 09/08/2005 01:52 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-30-2005
Posts: 2784
Loc: Toronto, ON
Offline |
|
Isn't 16 months a little too young for road work? especialy on a bike?
I dunno, he's always been running around all types of terrain, I didn't realize this was a problem?
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Mike J Schoonbrood ]
#84003 - 09/08/2005 01:57 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-30-2005
Posts: 2784
Loc: Toronto, ON
Offline |
|
Just came accross this:
"As a rule of thumb, if the dog is a small breed (under 25 pounds) wait until he's 8 months old to start a regular jogging or high-level walking program. Dogs who weigh 45 to 95 pounds can go when they're more than 1 year and giant breeds who weigh more than 100 pounds can start a regular program when they're more than 18 months.
"While they're young, let them exercise in the yard, chase rabbits and birds, free play," he said. "You have to give their bones a chance to develop.""
Looks like I screwed up, he's been on walks and running around since he was 4 months old, alot of it in grass but also alot on the sidewalk. I hope I didn't screw anything up for him by doing that, but not having a fenced in yard meant that I took him for walks multiple times a day to get that puppy energy out and play alot indoors.
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Mike J Schoonbrood ]
#84004 - 09/08/2005 02:26 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 12-11-2004
Posts: 21
Loc:
Offline |
|
Well my rottie mix is 23 months old and I've been taking him mountain biking w/me since last summer (bi-monthly from May to November). The rides are usually 2-3hrs long covering anywere from 8-14 miles, the terrain is a mix of technical (rocks, roots, etc) uphills, downhills and fire roads so the speed is not too fast. Throughout the ride there are ponds and lakes which I'll stop at to let him swim/drink.
In the beginning of the ride (the first 10-15min uphill) he's full of energy running ahead of me. The rest of the ride he is usually at a fast trot. He seems to pace himself, never at a full run except at the beginning. Back at the car he's usually exhausted and just drags himself in the car for the 1hr ride back home. He'll eat and sleep for the afternoon.
I know at 1yr old that you shouldn't run a dog that much, but w/ the amount of uphills and technical trails he doesn't do much running, more like a fast walk, and I would stop for swimming/water and treat breaks. I sometimes do a 20 mile fast trail which I don't take him on because it's much faster with no source of water (ponds/lakes).
Before all this I started with 1-1/2 mile rides to the local park (fast walk for him) where he'd run around for 1-2hrs and then ride back home, and he also swims 3-4 times a week (lake and ocean) so he's a pretty active dog. At 2yrs old he's very solid w/good muscular development (raw diet w/supplements, i.e. glucosamine for joints).
I'd say 1.5 miles is okay if he's an active dog and you start off slow.
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Mike J Schoonbrood ]
#84005 - 09/08/2005 03:49 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 02-17-2003
Posts: 39
Loc:
Offline |
|
I would personally consider a 16 month old running 1.5 miles pretty mild. Many sled dogs start running way more than that at 12 month old, they don't seem to have problems with it. But again, every dog is different and maturing at different speed. some ppl can't walk to grocery store; some running marathon and walk off like nothing. I think as long as you r sure your dog is healthy, gait is still energetic, ur fine. just watch out the temperature. Heat could be killer for some dogs. I know my dog won't stop until he drops, so I always stop b4 he pants too hard. He is a 100 lbs gsd, 2 and half year old. He's been running with bike for a year, and perfectly healthy. He regularly runs 10 to 20 miles. Now he jumps 6 foot vertical wall with one leap, so I'm sure the running strenthening him up, not weakening him off. genetics is also as important, so it all depends. You just got to watch if you dog shows discomfort or wants to do more. That's my take. I'm sure some folks will disagree...
|
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: shon mao ]
#84006 - 09/08/2005 04:12 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 02-24-2003
Posts: 122
Loc: Maryland
Offline |
|
I'll agree that sled dogs accumulate quite a few miles before their first year, but they are usually in the 35-55 pound range, not 75-85 pounds. Plus, they're bred JUST for long distance running. I personally would not road work a 16 month old dog. Depending on the dog's frame and size I feel most comfortable starting at 2 years of age. Trail running w/ me (usually off lead w/ an e-collar) starts at 18 months, because the dog can choose its own pace, instead of a "forced pace" with a bike (and frankly, I can't run as as far as I can bike <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> . And I never bike them on asphalt, only on gravel, dirt or grass.
Again, this is just me, you may very well be able to road work a 12-18 month old dog with absolutely no ill effects, but I don't like to risk it.
Jackie and "Treck"
UCD Maximus von den wilden Rabbits BH, SchH 1, CD, NA, HCT-s, CGC |
Top
|
Re: How much exercise can a dog take?
[Re: Jackie Mulligan ]
#84007 - 09/08/2005 04:25 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 04-30-2005
Posts: 2784
Loc: Toronto, ON
Offline |
|
What happens if a dog is ran on asphalt too young? My boy is around 65lbs, maybe he gained a little weight since last time he was weighed but he seems to be sticking right around 65-67lbs, he's not skinny, n he's about 24.5" tall, he just has a stocky build.
I can always tell when I did something with my dog that he enjoyed - he lays down close to me n when I pet him on the head his mouth opens n he raises his head n starts panting in a happy kinda way, he's always a happy friendly dog, but something changes when he gets to run around and go nuts, so I know he enjoys physical activity that results in him being pooped. I just hope I haven't caused any long term damage by not knowing certain things puppies shouldn't do.
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.