How Much Exercise

[newbie8]

Hi there.

I've been a member since we decided to get a dog in December and I've found the forum to be really interesting! This is the first time that I am actually putting something up so please be gentle!!

We have a siberian husky (Misty) who has just turned 5 months old and were a bit worried that we may be walking her too much! She loves her walks/runs but hubby takes her for 2km exercises...maybe twice a day? however, for the last three days here on the Gold Coast, she'd be lucky to get 2km in 3 days with the rain we've been getting! She is going spare!

Our concern is that we've read somewhere that she should only be walking 5 minutes per month of her age. This is way too weird to think about! We thought that being a husky, she needed lots of exercise but are worried that maybe we are doing too much at this early stage. Obviously, its not just the length of time ...maybe we should be concerned with distance? How much exercise should she be getting? I know it varies from breed to breed so comments from siberian husky owners or breeders would be really handy, though I'd love to hear what others do for their dogs!

What do people think?

[chichihuahua]

I'm not an expert on huskis but I think at such a young age it is probably better to walk her around 20 mins - 30 mins a day as her bones would still be growing and too much might put on strain on them.

Hi there.

I've been a member since we decided to get a dog in December and I've found the forum to be really interesting! This is the first time that I am actually putting something up so please be gentle!!

We have a siberian husky (Misty) who has just turned 5 months old and were a bit worried that we may be walking her too much! She loves her walks/runs but hubby takes her for 2km exercises...maybe twice a day? however, for the last three days here on the Gold Coast, she'd be lucky to get 2km in 3 days with the rain we've been getting! She is going spare!

Our concern is that we've read somewhere that she should only be walking 5 minutes per month of her age. This is way too weird to think about! We thought that being a husky, she needed lots of exercise but are worried that maybe we are doing too much at this early stage. Obviously, its not just the length of time ...maybe we should be concerned with distance? How much exercise should she be getting? I know it varies from breed to breed so comments from siberian husky owners or breeders would be really handy, though I'd love to hear what others do for their dogs!

What do people think?

[ellz]

WAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY too much exercise for a puppy that age. Asking a puppy of any breed to do that kind of exercise is akin to asking a 2 year old human to jog around the block twice a day. You're risking long-term developmental damage to growing joints and bones.

At that age, the only "real" exercise that should be done IMO is natural puppy play with small periods of on-leash "training" (make it fun!) thrown in for the sake of obedience and learning how to fit into the pack.

You should always let the puppy indicate how much exercise it needs, but be aware that some are like the energizer bunny and need to be reminded to slow down. Ball play, fetch and other games are more suitable than jogging or long walks.

[TerraNik]

I agree with the others... 4km per day is WAY too much for a puppy (of any age, regardless of breed)... I even wouldn't be walking my 1 year old dog that much without training him up gradually over a long period of time.

If she's 'going spare', as you say - have you tried doing some mentally draining tasks? They are just as effective, if not MORE effective in using up a dog's energy because they have to think about what they're doing. Otherwise just some backyard play of tug or chasies or whatever it is that your dog likes to do.

Walks at the age of 5 months should really only be for socialisation, not for 'exercise'.

If you want to get some specific advice from husky owners, feel free to ask in the Spitz thread. We have husky and mal breeders and owners there.

edit - woops, it's a 'she'!

Edited April 3, 2009 by TerraNik

[newbie8]

I agree with the others... 4km per day is WAY too much for a puppy (of any age, regardless of breed)... I even wouldn't be walking my 1 year old dog that much without training him up gradually over a long period of time.

If she's 'going spare', as you say - have you tried doing some mentally draining tasks? They are just as effective, if not MORE effective in using up a dog's energy because they have to think about what they're doing. Otherwise just some backyard play of tug or chasies or whatever it is that your dog likes to do.

Walks at the age of 5 months should really only be for socialisation, not for 'exercise'.

If you want to get some specific advice from husky owners, feel free to ask in the Spitz thread. We have husky and mal breeders and owners there.

edit - woops, it's a 'she'!

good morning all.

Thanks very much for the advice. Hubby is now feeling very bad...he had read that these dogs needed lots of exercise....I guess we should have come here first! As for the games-she loves the chasing of balls and stuff so we will increase those.

I am off to visit the spitz thread now!

have a great day!!

[TerraNik]

They do need lots of exercise, you aren't wrong there, but it has to be developmentally appropriate. Your hubby can go to town with the exercise once she is fully matured!! Maybe even consider doing an endurance trial with her!?

[lcprgf]

Hi there,

*I'm not jumping down your throat, and I'm not having a "go" at you either* (my little 'disclaimer')

Exercise in Puppy's is a pet frustration of mine. When we bought our DDB, our breeder explained that she shouldn't be 'walked' as such. It's actually quite an obvious thing when you put it this way.... Puppies exercise themselves. They sleep when they need to and play when they have energy or are encouraged to play. Those that don't recive some kind of stimulation are the ones who become destructive.

Exercise for a puppy of 5 months, should only be a short walk, but that short walk can be extreemely energy draining if you are using it as a training activity. Dogs energy is absorbed through challenging their brains as well as through walking for long periods. I know that if you walk for a short time, making your dog concentrate and 'heel', stop and 'drop', 'wait' etc then your dog will become a lot calmer than going for a fast or long walk allowing your dog to pull, or run free, or walk on one of the 'retractable leads. This isn't exercie as such, but just excitement. Your dog will still be bored and destructive, as it's mind hasn't been challenged as such.

When Husky's are used for sledding, yes they are running over long distances, but it is under control and guidance from their handler. They are being mentalling challenged.

Anyway sorry for the long post. Don't feel guilty, without my breeder, I would have been exercising our puppy when she was young. Now she's almost 4, has no elbow or hip problems, and is not and has never been destructive, is a happy, balanced, obedient part of our family.

[maximum]

Guys, at what age do you start walking the dog for longer periods? I'm completely confused about the whole exercise thing. I only have a little dog (poodle/maltese cross), but he's the energiser bunny on steroids.

He'll be 7 months on 11 April. How much walking per day? Or, should I just stick with taking him to the park and letting him run around? I find he tires quite quickly at the park and is content with just watching the other dogs/people after he's had his initial spaz attack.

[poodlefan]

I don't do any onlead exercise until the dog is 6 months old. I'd probably wait even longer with a giant breed.

After that, I build up slowly and take my cue from the dog. If they clearly aren't getting too tired, then I build up slowly.

However, pace is also important. A one hour dawdle on the lead is going to be a lot less intensive than a 20 minute run.

[maximum]

I don't do any onlead exercise until the dog is 6 months old. I'd probably wait even longer with a giant breed.

After that, I build up slowly and take my cue from the dog. If they clearly aren't getting too tired, then I build up slowly.

However, pace is also important. A one hour dawdle on the lead is going to be a lot less intensive than a 20 minute run.

OK, so a 20-30 minute on lead walk (medium pace, I'm too lazy to go fast!) would be ok a few ways a week, go to the park on other days?

Thanks Poodlefan - appreciate the advice!

[The Spotted Devil]

Another trick of mine is to walk somewhere with a purpose in mind - for example to a cafe 10 minutes from home. I take a small mat...teaches puppy to lie quietly, puppy has a rest, puppy is mentally stimulated by the world passing by, you enjoy a coffee (or something stronger ), then you return home with a very tired puppy

[Dogsfevr]

Okay for example my large breed pup has just turned 12 months.We have been walking around the block & last week progressed to a bite further.

He is a very fit dog as he free runs all day BUT walking is a new level of fitness & he is still building up to this new level .

All ours get the small walks as its essential for outside skills but walking to socialise compared to walking to wear out is a whole new ball game.

I generally start getting the ball rolling at 10 mths in moderation & building them up to 12 months,then 12 months im building up for 14 moths & then 2 years is quickly there & there at top gear

Your hubbie needs to remember how long it took him to happily run that distance ,i dare say he built up to that level.

All dogs need exercise but pups are pups.There growing .

What did your breeder say ??

[maximum]

Another trick of mine is to walk somewhere with a purpose in mind - for example to a cafe 10 minutes from home. I take a small mat...teaches puppy to lie quietly, puppy has a rest, puppy is mentally stimulated by the world passing by, you enjoy a coffee (or something stronger ), then you return home with a very tired puppy

Good idea! Guess I'm off to the pub tonight...KIDDING!

[lcprgf]

Another trick of mine is to walk somewhere with a purpose in mind - for example to a cafe 10 minutes from home. I take a small mat...teaches puppy to lie quietly, puppy has a rest, puppy is mentally stimulated by the world passing by, you enjoy a coffee (or something stronger ), then you return home with a very tired puppy

Great idea.... The stimulation the puppy recieves whilst waiting is fantastic. The having to control themselves and wait for you are very mentalling challenging, therefore energy draining!

[all that glitters]

Very interesting thread!

Does the same apply to a GSD puppy, given their bigger susceptibility to hip problems?

eg - When can I take her for a 15/20 minute walk around the block? Not til a year old?

[APBT]

ive been walking my pup since 9 weeks, at first it was jsut getting used to the lead, mabey 3 min, then around 2 months we would walk around the block

now i take her to the park on a 20 foot rope and play fetch every couple days, or a walk around a few blocks mabey 20 min

and about 10 min on the flirt pole everyday

A tired dog is a Good dog,

i wouldent be running untill a year and a half

[huski]

I find the general guideline of 5 minutes per month of age helpful for some breeds.

Edited April 6, 2009 by huski

[ellz]

I find the general guideline of 5 minutes per month of age helpful for some breeds.

That would still be an hour for a year old puppy and that would still be too much IMO. Smaller breeds probably wouldn't want to exercise for that long and it would potentially still be harmful for the larger breeds.

[newbie8]

Hi all

Am back from a trip overseas and have found all of your comments very helpful.

We've cut back on the walking time and distance this doesn't appear to have had a negative impact on her highness! She still loves going out for her walks.

Thanks everyone and I'll keep reading!