The old puppy exercise question

[sandgrubber]

Over the years much advice about limiting exercise for juveniles has been posted here.  I've always been dubious, but now, with a Springer pup, I don't believe anything.  The little imp.  At 4 months she was running (and jumping) circles around my adult Labbies.  At 6 mo, if I let her off leash (a local vineyard is dog friendly and she's a good bird scarer) she will take off and run, full tilt, for 30 minutes or more.  I can't believe a behavior that seems hardwired can be harmful. 

[Pjrt]

I feel the same way. I think forced exercise, especially on hard surfaces, is definitely to be avoided, but letting young dogs freely romp and run without force seems normal and logical to me.

 

 

[persephone]

Our youngsters ..well..they are never on hard surfaces - and are free to exercise as much as they want - and they do ! They go on to work hard .
The two youngsters were out & about the other day ...500 mtrs away from home , playing with the sheep ..... for quite some time, & I've seen pups of their age working in sheepyards until they flop down dead tired .... no harm appears to have been done , and I often wonder with sheepdogs  - is it soft surfaces, breeding, upbringing... or? 

[Rebanne]

I've always believed it was on lead, forced exercise that should be restricted. Free play/exercise where the pup/young dog can stop when it's tired is fine.

[sandgrubber]

2 minutes ago, Rebanne said:

I've always believed it was on lead, forced exercise that should be restricted. Free play/exercise where the pup/young dog can stop when it's tired is fine.

If it's on lead, I'm the one getting forced exercise, not the pup .  

[The Spotted Devil]

Hahahahaha Springer pup on leash  

 

Been there. Got the t-shirt  Crazy bloody things!

 

I always say to my puppy people that walks are about training and socialisation. Ball and frisbee chasing is prohibited. Controlled retrieves are a different matter. Free play and off leash training is the best exercise. And as someone with working Springers I have a REALLY good chiro they visit regularly. 

[Two Best Dogs!]

I gave up very quickly on trying to stop thyme from jumping/climbing/falling and instead focussed on avoiding repetitive things with hard surfaces eg steps and sustained city path walking (not that he ever walked in a straight line). 

 

I did enforce mandatory breaks if he seemed to be getting cranky or frantic but that was more for mine and thistles sanity 

[JRG]

I’ve had working bred Springers for 45 years and can truthfully say that I have never met a lazy one!

hard surfaces etc are to be avoided but otherwise, let them run. By doing so they get fit and strong, and, believe me, they need those attributes in the working life ahead of them.

[Dogsfevr]

My gundogs is all about free running as puppies BUT i still will step in at times where they obviously havent mastered the art of self resting or having a "busy Brain" moment that i need to redirect .