Hi everyone. I've been a lurker around here for a while but this is my first post. Picked up lots of good and interesting info from this site.

I have a four month old German Shepherd puppy that will be an AKC obedience competitor and possibly agility or something else. In the last week or ten days we have started walking daily but I'm not sure if their should be a limit to how far we go at her age or not. The route we'll eventually take will be about three miles a day, right now we've gone close to a mile a couple times and it doesn't seem to bother her but I don't want to do too much to soon with her. Thanks for your input .

Lisa

 Quote: lisa kidd

Hi everyone. I've been a lurker around here for a while but this is my first post. Picked up lots of good and interesting info from this site.

I have a four month old German Shepherd puppy that will be an AKC obedience competitor and possibly agility or something else. In the last week or ten days we have started walking daily but I'm not sure if their should be a limit to how far we go at her age or not. The route we'll eventually take will be about three miles a day, right now we've gone close to a mile a couple times and it doesn't seem to bother her but I don't want to do too much to soon with her. Thanks for your input .

Lisa

Welcome to you and your GSD, Lisa.

I am sure the puppy folks will advise you about puppy-walking.

I can't remember if it was on the Puppy DVD or somewhere else; someone will know.

My understanding is that there is that there is no "forced" exercise for the puppy. That means no running or jogging. The puppy can get overworked and damaged their joints.

I would assume that you can walk the pup until she lays down, so just be prepared to carry her the rest of the way home

I don't remember when the no running rule ends, but it must be about the time you can x-ray the hips. I think that is somewhere around 18-24 months?

You can safely start to run a dog at one year of age. I would, however, push that back 6 months if the dog was a giant breed or unusually large.

Hey Lisa and welcome!

It might help to take the following into account when deciding how much to exercise your puppy:

1. Hard or soft surface? Running around or walking on soft grassy ground is much less stressful on the joints than the same on pavement or concrete.

2. Repetitive movements like jogging or walking long distances will put more stress on the joints than play-type movements or exploring or swimming that are more varied.

3. You can go for long-ish walks as long as you take frequent breaks where you allow the puppy to lie down and rest for 10-15 minutes. If the puppy is tired and reluctant to get up and follow you, carry it the rest of the way

4. Puppy's size and weight; John made a great point about this. A thin puppy that is close to its adult size already (a small or medium sized breed of dog) can take more exercise than a puppy who still has a lot of growing left to do (softer joints and growth plates that are still many many months away from closing and hardening). Weight is important too of course. Excess weight is of course going to stress the joints of any dog or puppy.


That's all I can think of, hopefully others will come up with more things to consider I'm sure that your common sense will allow you to judge how much is too much for your pup.

Any pictures of the little one?

Hi Lisa,

Since everyone answered your question very well I just want to offer up some cautious advice. Try to walk your pup during cooler times of the day and in shade if possible. Please be aware of the signs/symptoms of heat stroke in dogs.

http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dheatstroke.html#Heat%20Stroke%20-%20signs%20and%20prevention

Make sure to bring water with you on your walks and save your dogs vet and an emergency vet's phone number in your cell phone. Young dogs, old dogs and sick dogs are most at risk for heat stroke.

Kimberly

Thanks all. That's kind of what I was thinking, just not to force her to go long distances until she is older. So far she doesn't seem to be bothered by the distance but most of the time we go on much shorter walks, maybe ten minutes or so.

No pictures yet on this computer. I'll have to try and take some this week.


Lisa