Longest Walk Yet...

[Christine & Shelby]

It was a beautiful spring day in Texas yesterday.... right about 70 degrees... not to hot or cold... I was comfortable in capris and a t-shirt. I decided to take Shelby for a walk outside of our normal walking area (which I vary our path frequently). I packed up some water and a dish in my backpack since I didn't know if there would be doggie water fountains in the area we walked to (we have two in my subdivision park. We headed out, stopped by a colleagues house - he had never met Shelby and went to another park! Shelby loved her walk and meeting some new dogs... and of course all the new smells. By the time all was said and done we had done 3.5 miles. That is by far her longest walk - we usually do 2 walks a day about 2 miles each... but yesterday we just did the one! When I first realized I could get a Labradoodle (I'm allergic to dogs, but the Labradoodles don't bother me at all), I imagined taking her for walks... and how fun and enjoyable it would be. I have to say I love our walks... it is good exercise for us both and it is such a joy to watch her explore! I find our walks are a good way for me to unwind after a long day at work. Do you all love to walk your doodle as much as I do?

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, not a Europe thing only. I don't remember the specifics but I certainly read and was told to limit the amount of on leash walking with a puppy to 15 minutes or so.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

Strange that you haven't heard of this recommendation yet. Maybe it's a Europe thing as I live in Europe? I have dogs since I was 7 years old and I had all kinds of breeds. All breeders stressed the rule and also most of the puppy classes I attended for socialization of my dogs mentioned this too. I always had big dogs and that rule applies especially for big dogs to avoid later joint and hip problems.

[Christine & Shelby]

I had never heard the recommedation of 1 minute per week. It is not solid walking... Lots of stopping to sniff. Most days she is right in front of me the entire time, and when I see her getting tired we rest and then head home. She is crated while I am at work, so I walk her when I come home for lunch and then again in the evening.

[Zoe, Benny and Tyler]

Great that you both are enjoying your walks. How old is Shelby now because you should be careful that you don't walk too long with a puppy because of the growing. The usual rule is walking 1 minute per weeks of age of the puppy. Tyler is now 5 months meaning 20 minutes per walk. Sometimes when he is still full of energy than we walk a bit longer and if he runs around a lot and plays and starts to sit down or even lay we even walk shorter.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Okay - my question is do your pups ALL take naps after walks? Peri will NOT. She goes crazy for about 3 hours, then finally crashes. Very odd...

[Ann Kendig]

We have been taking walks around our local reservoirs. It's a great place to let them run off leash and we also practice our obedience training on these walks. It works out great for us and the dogs. It's great when we come home, they take a nice nap!!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We got a walk in yesterday too...finally nice weather! Peri prances the whole way - she has a very curly tail and her butt jiggles as she prances. i love our walks!!!

[Frannie & Callie]

I am with you Christine! I love taking Callie on walks! There's a park near me that has a two mile loop...hilly enough for me to get some decent exercise and enough people, dogs, and new smells to keep Callie happy and prancing along! When it's a particularly nice day we do the loop twice...I love a good tired doodle!!!!

[BetteB]

Walking is so much fun, especially with a cute dood and beautiful weather! Agnes and I went for 2 big walks yesterday -- they were wonderful! Glad to hear that you and Shelby had a wonderful time too!