When Can I Start Walkies?

[shana]

Hi,

I am picking my 8 week old cocker spaniel puppy from the breeders in a week and I was wondering at what age or how long should i wait before I take her for a walk.

I was doing some reading and a book said that I should wait at least 3 weeks and not before they are 12 weeks old . Also when I do start how long should the walk go for to start with?

Thanks

Vicki.

[deltron]

Hi,

I am picking my 8 week old cocker spaniel puppy from the breeders in a week and I was wondering at what age or how long should i wait before I take her for a walk.

I was doing some reading and a book said that I should wait at least 3 weeks and not before they are 12 weeks old . Also when I do start how long should the walk go for to start with?

Thanks

Vicki.

Your vet will advise when it's safe for your dog to go for walks. Ours advised walking (only on foothpaths) a week after the second vaccination and then we could walk wherever a week after the final vaccination.

In the meantime, take your pup for 'walks' around the backyard to get it used to being on a lead.

The first outdoor walks i took my dog on were up and down our street and around the backstreets, nice quiet short walks (5-10min) during the day. It got him used to the sights and smells of our neighbourhood.

And then later we worked him up into walking in busier, noisier areas.

I'm not sure how long the walks should be as I have a tiny dog, who can walk forever without getting tired.

Edited August 24, 2007 by deltron

[sas]

Your Breeder will be able to advise you best as they know not only their breed but their lines the best.

Depending on breeds, usually you keep a puppies walk quite short whilst it's growing.

It's a catch 22 about the walking inregards to vaccinations, I think it really comes down as to what you're willing to risk for socialisation.

[Rockie]

I walk mine like when he was 3months old. In a quiet park down my block. As long as they had

2 vaccine done, I think it's pretty ok to bring them out for walks.

Well, you dont want to overwhelm on their first walk, bring them to less crowded area and

see how your puppy react. Slowly get to a more busier place to get them use to being around

with lots of ppl.

[shana]

Thank you all for replying, I will ask the vet and breeder and go slowly from there.

Vicki

[Prydenjoy]

If you can find a puppy pre school class call them up and enrol ASAP, it makes a HUGE difference to the dog as it matures, and is a safe environment for puppys to socialise up until their final shots, after their final shots their critical socialisation period is pretty much over, which is why I advocate PPS so strongly (if you live anywhere near Willoughby my sister runs PPS at the Willoughby vet clinic, she'll take care of you!).

Until the final shots are over I would suggest going to busy places and just carrying the pup, it's great socialisation as old ladys, kids, and every other person in the streets crowds around to pat the puppy (Chino didn't get a break, EVERYONE pulled me up to cuddle him, I was even called into shops so the people working could have a pat!). Most of the diseases pups pick up are on the ground, so as long as you are carrying the pup the risk of it catching something are minimal.

Once the pup is 18 weeks old have a dog training class lined up to go to, to continue socialisation - Continued training for life is ideal but not for everyone, but training and socialising for the first year or so at least is extremely beneficial to the pup.

Walks, well I think the "general" guideline is about 5 minutes per month old, therefore you could take a 3 month old pup out for about 15 minutes, this is a slow walk, allowing the pup to stop and sniff things as it goes, meet people etc, so it may take 15 minutes just to walk around the block. You don't want to be walking any dog that is still growing too briskly.

On the first walk remember to take LOTS of treats! Every time the pup looks at you for the first 5 minutes, give it a treat. It will quickly learn that looking at you and being by your side really is the best place in the world, and you'll have set up a good habit for life!

Hope this helps