BelgianPup Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 We were told not to walk the puppy (a Belgian pup) off our property until 1 week after she'd had her 2nd shot but were encouraged by both the breeder and our vet to 'walk' her in the house and backyard to get her used to the lead as well as play sessions in the yard. Not to mention taking her to visit friends and family and socialising with other animals (that we knew were vaccinated.) I had thought that she would be having quite long brisk walks at a fairly young age being a active working breed, however, we were told and I've read that as a large breed puppy this would in fact cause too much stress on her growing joints and bones which would lead to problems later in life. It's now 1 week after her second shot and we go for very shot daily walks... down our drive to the letterbox, sometimes a little way down the street. No more than 10minutes. We are attempting to teach her to walk on a loose leash as well as heel. She has plenty of play time at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budyjelle Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I did what I've been told with my first dog: "Don"t take her outside until she had ALL vaccinations" and "Don't walk a puppy." BIG mistake!!! It took me many months to get her to walk properly outside of the yard on the leash. I'm getting a Weimaraner puppy in 7 weeks and I certainly will walk him twice a day. Not sure how long, I'll observe the pup and decide then. Properly between 10 to 30 mins. The Vet at Puppy Pre School said that socialisation was more important than "quarantining" till final vaccination. She said that in our area (Canberra) there was very little Parvo. And that while 3 dogs have died from Parvo in the last year, 56 have been "put down" due to behavioural (sp?) problems I don't know what to think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 The proof is in how sound your dogs are in old age. Personally other than my very first dog I have never exercised puppies beyond the odd wander to the shops and I believe that is the reason I have very sound oldies. My dogs generally live to 15-17 years and seldom need meds until very elderly and even then it is more for my peace of mind. I have 2 13yr olds at the moment that can still jump on and off the bed (no small thing considering they are shelties) and scoff at the foot stool I put there to help them. On the other hand I watch my friend who believes it is mean to leave her puppy home when she walks the big dogs and she has terrible issues with arthritis. Certainly over exercising young soft bone isn't the only cause of arthritis but it doesn't help. It is possible to socialise and lead train your dog without going for long walks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oceanaussi Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 The proof is in how sound your dogs are in old age. Personally other than my very first dog I have never exercised puppies beyond the odd wander to the shops and I believe that is the reason I have very sound oldies. My dogs generally live to 15-17 years and seldom need meds until very elderly and even then it is more for my peace of mind. I have 2 13yr olds at the moment that can still jump on and off the bed (no small thing considering they are shelties) and scoff at the foot stool I put there to help them. On the other hand I watch my friend who believes it is mean to leave her puppy home when she walks the big dogs and she has terrible issues with arthritis. Certainly over exercising young soft bone isn't the only cause of arthritis but it doesn't help. It is possible to socialise and lead train your dog without going for long walks I don't really agree with this. I didn't walk my first dog until she was about 6 months old and they were only short walks then too (20 mins). She's got arthritis and even needed to be operated on. I don't think puppies should go out for long walks either but I cannot see any harm in taking them for a 10-20 minute walk either. In my opinion there's no protection against parvo anyway. You can have it under your boots, the postie might have it on his tyres ect. The other day I've visited a puppy pre-school and the trainer was paranoid over parvo. I asked her what to do with 2 dogs and she said I should rubb the older dog with wet wipes when I get back from a walk. 2 mins later 2 people and their 2 adult GSP who just came from the dog beach entered the puppy enclosure for a chat (all puppy owners were already gone). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atinagold Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 (edited) Exactly my opinions, as a breeder of the Golden Retrievers. Short daily walks more for training than for exercise! Edited - couldn't work out how to quote BelgianPup's post, but that is what I was referring to - it summed up my thoughts. Edited January 22, 2008 by Atinagold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaves Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 See i agree that less is best when talking aboutonlead FORCED exercise. I have a gsd,he gets walked but slowly and he dictates the pace and it is only a few times a week he gets lots of off leadplay that he sets the pace for. Dogs that are prone to HD, you need to be cautious with. However, each to their own, you can only take what your breeder adn others reccomend and make your own decision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 The proof is in how sound your dogs are in old age. Personally other than my very first dog I have never exercised puppies beyond the odd wander to the shops and I believe that is the reason I have very sound oldies. My dogs generally live to 15-17 years and seldom need meds until very elderly and even then it is more for my peace of mind. I have 2 13yr olds at the moment that can still jump on and off the bed (no small thing considering they are shelties) and scoff at the foot stool I put there to help them. On the other hand I watch my friend who believes it is mean to leave her puppy home when she walks the big dogs and she has terrible issues with arthritis. Certainly over exercising young soft bone isn't the only cause of arthritis but it doesn't help. It is possible to socialise and lead train your dog without going for long walks I don't really agree with this. I didn't walk my first dog until she was about 6 months old and they were only short walks then too (20 mins). She's got arthritis and even needed to be operated on. I don't think puppies should go out for long walks either but I cannot see any harm in taking them for a 10-20 minute walk either. In my opinion there's no protection against parvo anyway. You can have it under your boots, the postie might have it on his tyres ect. The other day I've visited a puppy pre-school and the trainer was paranoid over parvo. I asked her what to do with 2 dogs and she said I should rubb the older dog with wet wipes when I get back from a walk. 2 mins later 2 people and their 2 adult GSP who just came from the dog beach entered the puppy enclosure for a chat (all puppy owners were already gone). I would consider 6mths still very much a puppy. I generally start with small walks on soft surfaces at about 9mths and my breed is a small breed that matures early. If I had a large breed I wouldn't be walking them until around 12mths. As I said the odd wander to the shops is fine but no formal walks for me and my puppies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centitout Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 leaving pups until 16 weeks to start socialising or taking them places leads to fear problems-8-12 weeks is their most impressionable stage.i walk(teach to lead) all my pups at 8 weeks and they go on short 5-10 min 'social"walks in areas where there isnt a lot of dog traffic to minimise parvo risk.considering your dog can get parvo without leaving the yard,i found it strange that people wont take them anywhere until 16+weeks.they dont do any major walking until after 6-7 mths(build up to 30 mins normal pace) and after that they are increased slowly-just like conditioning a race horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centitout Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 btw-doing "zoomies"and running around like crazy in the back yard due to lack of excercise can and does do more damage to joints-esp cruciate ligaments,ask all the owners that have come in to the vets to have to have it repaired and all their dog was doing was "running "around the back yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 leaving pups until 16 weeks to start socialising or taking them places leads to fear problems-8-12 weeks is their most impressionable stage.i walk(teach to lead) all my pups at 8 weeks and they go on short 5-10 min 'social"walks in areas where there isnt a lot of dog traffic to minimise parvo risk.considering your dog can get parvo without leaving the yard,i found it strange that people wont take them anywhere until 16+weeks.they dont do any major walking until after 6-7 mths(build up to 30 mins normal pace) and after that they are increased slowly-just like conditioning a race horse. You don't need to put your pup on the ground to socialise them. My pup has been to a market, cafes, pet shops, nursing home, met people, dogs, cats, rabbits etc without having to walk on the ground outside. I know people keep using this "More dogs die from behaviour issues" argument but while I'm 100% for good socialisation as a puppy, a solid temperament from a well bred pup is generally not going to have behaviour SO bad that you'll need to euthanise just because it doesn't go out from 8 weeks of age. Yes you might have parvo in the backyard but it's a million times more likely it'll be on the street where other dogs poo, than in your backyard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 (edited) There's a big difference betweening maintaining a practice of "no onlead exercise" and leaving your pup in the backyard unsocialised, untrained and unstimulated. The devil is in the detail. My pups are not walked with the adults. They get their own outing, sometimes on their own and sometimes with an older 'buddy' to help develop confidence. They go to friends homes, trials, shops and any other places I can think of to expose them to the sights and sounds of every day living. But I don't walk their legs off. Unfortunately some people don't know when enough is enough. That's why the practice of "no onlead exercise" is advocated by many people, including me. Exercise is not training or socialisation.. it's just what it says. Biking your 6month old pup for 2 hours a day (as one person I know did) is a recipe for disaster.. in that case, complete destruction of a shoulder. Furthermore, trotting along on a lead doesn't develop muscles half as well as play exercise. There's more to a dog's body than the muscles require to trot. There's sprinting, turning, tugging etc. Edited January 22, 2008 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odette Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Whatis considered a long walk compared to a short walk? 30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Whatis considered a long walk compared to a short walk?30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours? What age/breed pup are you talking about Odette. What surfaces would it walk on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Whatis considered a long walk compared to a short walk?30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours? I use the same approach as PF mentioned above - lots and lots of socialisation/car trips/walks to the shops - I've got an incredibly well adjusted young dog....still a bit mad though As for walk length, at 14 months of age, most of Zig's exercise involves a 20 minute free run at the beach every few days. His walks (perhaps a couple a week) are around 10-20 minutes....they are for learning and mental stimulation rather than physical exercise. At the moment he is getting no walks and just his beach runs as I've had minor back surgery and OH is away. Lots of clicker training in place of the walks has worked wonders He's fast asleep next to my bed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odette Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Whatis considered a long walk compared to a short walk?30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours? What age/breed pup are you talking about Odette. What surfaces would it walk on. She is a pug x cavalier, 5 months old... She is small, but has long legs, and pulls like crazy on the lead). She would walk on the sidewalk and on grass in the park. The walk to the video store is about 10 mins each way with a brisk pace, but we usually take our time, and let her run off the lead in the park (she stays close, and her recall is EXCELLENT, thanks puppy pre-school!). I dont want to do any damage to her legs though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odette Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 (edited) She has more of a Cavalier body shape than a pug, if that helps... I read that Cavalier's can suffer from knee problems though, so Im keeping an eye on that.... Edited January 23, 2008 by Odette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Whatis considered a long walk compared to a short walk?30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours? What age/breed pup are you talking about Odette. What surfaces would it walk on. She is a pug x cavalier, 5 months old... She is small, but has long legs, and pulls like crazy on the lead). She would walk on the sidewalk and on grass in the park. The walk to the video store is about 10 mins each way with a brisk pace, but we usually take our time, and let her run off the lead in the park (she stays close, and her recall is EXCELLENT, thanks puppy pre-school!). I dont want to do any damage to her legs though.... I'd say 15-20 minutes at this age is about the maximum I'd do.. . I'd add 10 minutes a month until she's fully mature. A larger breed I'd take more slowly. The pulling on lead is a TRAINING issue. Time to enrol in big dog obedience school and get that sorted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odette Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I agree, Im planning on continuing her training as long as i can i guess! I think it builds a solid relationship between owner and dog. Ive called the RSPCA a couple of times to see when they are resuming classes (we did puppy pre-school there, and the trainer was excellent), and was told they'd call me back.. Still waiting! I'll call them now, thanks for the reminder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nillasdad Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I use the same approach as PF mentioned above - lots and lots of socialisation/car trips/walks to the shops - I've got an incredibly well adjusted young dog....still a bit mad though What did you think you where going to get when you got Ziggy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I use the same approach as PF mentioned above - lots and lots of socialisation/car trips/walks to the shops - I've got an incredibly well adjusted young dog....still a bit mad though What did you think you where going to get when you got Ziggy? I just figured he'd come trained already....you know, like the ones in the movie? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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