Too early to walk?

[Becky and Murphy]

Does anyone know if there is an age to start walking 2 miles or so a day.  My Murphy is just under 5 mos. old....he is a medium Austrailian Labradoodle....Is it bad on their joints?? 

[Sandra Griffith]

I would not start such a long walk at under 5 months.  I like to wait until a dog is 12 to 18 months before really engaging in serious long walks and two years with the giant breeds (like Newfoundlands).  I do the same for activities such as agility.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

We were always told to wait a year.  At least if there are hills for sure.  I have seen first hand my sister-in-laws Lab who is totally arthritic and can barely walk at 10 because she would not listen to the vet and was running and walking him at great distances (2-5 miles) before a year!!   I say it is better to be safe than sorry!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I hope our pup will be okay. My husband has been walking him two miles since he was 5 months but he stops after a mile and the dogs run free while he jogs, then they walk the second mile home. Do you know what the suggested parameters are?

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I'm sure he will be just fine.  I think the running distances and hills is probably the bad thing.  Since he stops and plays for a while I doubt there are any worries.  I really don't know much other than I had read this in all my puppy books that I bought before we got Gracie (5 books!!) and also our Vet told us.  Also, jumping and running up and down stairs is not good when a puppy.  I really don't know for how long you have to wait though.  It has to do with their ligaments, tendons and joints when they are babies.  Ask your vet and see if they can tell you how long you need to wait.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We have a two story house but he has been restricted to the first floor most of the time. Otherwise he would be running up and doing them all of the time! He's a busy boy.