Exercise & walking

[rebecca fairhurst]

Hi Everyone, does anybody know how much exercise is correct as I have a 6.5 month old golden doodle. At the moment she has a 40 mins (20mins off lead) walk throughh fields/ forest in the morning & a lead walk 20 mins in the afternoon - not forgetting a lunchtime playtime in the garden.

I am worried about over exercising her due to threat of hip dysplasia in older age but also want to give her the best of life as a growing pup. All advice greatly appreciated

[BG and Gavin]

I think what you are doing is on target.  Long, sustained running (such as jogging with a dog or running them along side your bike) is not recommended for young dogs due to your hip dysplasia concern.  Walking is fine!

[rebecca fairhurst]

Thanks BruceGirl - will keep going with more confidence now !

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That does not sound like too much exercise.  It appears that different dogs have different exercise requirements, but our rule of thumb has been a one hour walk daily at a pretty good pace and then a few shorter "potty" walks.  If the weather is bad and we can't do our walk we do treadmill for 40 minutes (to replace the long walk) at a jogging pace.  We also take our guys to  run off lead and play fetch a few times a week at a fenced tennis court or soccer field. 

[rebecca fairhurst]

Love that idea of playing fetch in a tennis court! thanks x

[Star and Goldie]

That is awesome that they walk on a treadmill. What a great idea!!

[rebecca fairhurst]

I agree - a brilliant idea 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sounds good to me.  My dogs (7 yrs. and 3 yrs.) need lots of exercise and walking with them should not be any problem.  Of course, he may not walk!  Young dogs tend to do everything on the run and even my older dogs are constantly running.  But I get my exercise that way.  I walk and they run.  Sometimes I walk them and then my husband catches up with us and takes them on a run chasing his bike.  But they will not go any faster than they want to go.  The older dog has a lope and the younger a full run or a prance.  Funny to see them.

[rebecca fairhurst]

My husband would love to do the bike run with the dogs too - my son skateboards and Maui loves to run by his side too. Thanks Lynda

[Christine & Camus]

I agree with everyone, you are not over exercising.  I didn't go through puppy stage with Camus.  However, I did with Einstein and he required a lot of exercise at 6 months. Walking alone did not do for him, so I took him to a big park and let him run and play (a few other dogs would be there as well) for an hour every night, and most mornings as well. I think he was about 8/9 months old when I started 3 mile walks on rainy days. His hips were fine and he lived a long and healthy life.