How Long/far Should I Be Walking My Dog

[KAT1]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone might be able to advise me on how long/far I should be walking my 9 month old golden retriever .

So far I walk him in the morning and the evening and we go about 2 km each time.

I think he is probably capable of going further, but I don't want to overdo it, since he doesn't tend to complain when he is tired, he just flakes out later on.

Thanks

KAT

[Bjelkier]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone might be able to advise me on how long/far I should be walking my 9 month old golden retriever .

So far I walk him in the morning and the evening and we go about 2 km each time.

I think he is probably capable of going further, but I don't want to overdo it, since he doesn't tend to complain when he is tired, he just flakes out later on.

Thanks

KAT

Personally I would think that is too much for a 9 month old.

I would be worried about the strain on their hips.

But it might be different for Goldies

[Serket]

I think it's too far.

Gypsy's breeder says no formal exercise before 12months old - playing in the yard, or running around a park or the beach is ok, but not walking long distances and especially not on hard surfaces like roads and footpaths.

Of course you need to practice on-lead manners and the easiest thing is to walk around the block, but the hard surfaces are not good for growing bones.

Training wears them out too - mentally exhausting them means you don't come home from a long walk and find you still (somehow) have a hyperactive dog 10 minutes later

[BooBooBear]

Great question, I haven't got my puppy yet but this is super helpful. Interesting about the 12 month thing - will definitely keep that in mind, thanks Serket

[rexiam]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone might be able to advise me on how long/far I should be walking my 9 month old golden retriever .

So far I walk him in the morning and the evening and we go about 2 km each time.

I think he is probably capable of going further, but I don't want to overdo it, since he doesn't tend to complain when he is tired, he just flakes out later on.

Thanks

KAT

Are you walking at a really brisk pace or is it leisurely? Is he pulling behind you or happy to walk?

OH used to take Sam to work with him on huge Farms when she was that age. She would run as much as she wanted and if she was tired would stay in the lunch shed or hop up on the ute. She was a Retriever Cross Lab. We never had hip issues with her.

She passed away at 9 from a heart attack, so if there were hip issues to come we will never know.

[KAT1]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the advice. I will try and reduce his walks and spend some more time on obedience after the walk. i guess it doesn't hurt to be a bit careful. and it won't be long till he will be fully grown and wanting to do much longer walks (I am assuming)!

Are you walking at a really brisk pace or is it leisurely? Is he pulling behind you or happy to walk?

Rexiam: I generally walk at a fairly slow to regular pace, and we of course have to stop at every tree along the way in case we miss a smell and stop at every second tree to pee! He doesn't ever pull behind. He used to pull ahead, terribly, but I bought him a gentle leader harness which is FANTASTIC! and he has started walking really well next to me or a little bit in front. He also has that puppy spring to his step!

[Serket]

Try teaching him some tricks, not just boring sit/drop/stay etc. You could probably find some great ideas online, try google or youtube