Walking or Jogging with Doodle lately?

[Frances S]

I was just wondering how often and for how long or far do you walk your doodles?  I take Bella (6 months) out early in the morning for a 20 minute walk, later the kids take her for a walk after school around the block to the park to play, and after dinner Bella and I go for a fast pace walk that takes 30-45 minutes. I would love to jog with her someday when she becomes a adult.   Do you enjoy jogging with Doodle?  If so please let me know how far and how often you go..

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

DH tried to run with cooper but she gets excited and keeps jumping up....

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I think the key as you said is waiting till they are adults.  Then, I think this is something that is very dog specific.  Neither of my girls would make good jogging partners.  However, I think some of the taller more thin bodied Doodles might make great runners. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murphy can run while my trainer roller blades for 30 - 40 minutes at a time...and then he's tired.  This is a great work-out for him because he's a natural runner with lots of energy.  We do several short potty walks and one good long walk (45 - 60 minutes) every day.  On days when the weather doesn't allow for that long walk, Murph goes on the treadmill for about 30 minutes.  If you're going to jog with her someday, start teaching her now to walk by your side....that will help a lot.  My trainer isn't able to roller blade with a dog until they have a strong loose leash walk, and I'm assuming that would also be the case with jogging.

[Dani and Scout]

I take Scout (5 months) out for a run/walk about once a week. We also take walks every evening, usually 1-2 miles. I think it's really, really important to start training them at a very young age if you want them to be good partners. Scout is awesome, and I think it's because we started leash training as soon as we got him at 8 weeks. I've found that he does better when he's wearing a harness (I use an Easy Walk Harness) and a shorter, heavier leash. It's also a good idea to always keep them on the left side. Scout will occasionally try to smell something on the right and I, of course, almost go head first into the ground. Ha! We don't run very far as I've heard it's bad for the joints of growing, large breed puppies. That's why we run/walk and try to avoid concrete. Just like with people, concrete is hard on the knees! When I do have to go on concrete I allow him to run on the grass beside me if I can.

 

I've progressively taken him on longer distances and we are currently up to 4 miles. We walked the first quarter mile, ran a mile, walked a quarter mile, ran a mile and a half, and then walked the rest. Walking the first part also gets him over the excitement at being on the leash. The only negative right now (and it's a biggie) is getting him to remember the "leave it" command. We use a very popular trail and he loves to great other dogs and wants to stop and watch horses as we pass them. I just keep saying "leave it" and drag him a long. When he comes willingly he gets lots of pats and "good dogs". 

 

Eventually I'd like to be able to take Scout on runs 3 days a week. One of the reason we got him was because I run half-marathons and I wanted some protection when I have to train in the dark. I don't think I'll ever take him on my longer weekend training runs, but for the shorter weekly run (3-5 miles), I think he's going to be perfect!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Frances, I am a runner and got my Murphy originally, for a running partner. I did some research on this plus talk to several vets and the consistant message was to wait until they are fully grown as the hips and growth plates are still developing and the jogging and running is too stressful on their body and can cause hip damage later on.

I started with about what you are doing and then about 11-12 months old, when he was about 50 pds we started short easy jogs a few times a week, increasing in distance until we were up to about 3 miles by 18 months. Its a slow process, but actually very enjoyable as there are a lot of "teaching moments" during these adventures out. We perfected leash training, leave it, pay attention, stop, wait, so many things that we would not have had the time or distractions to make it that much better. Good luck, enjoy and GO SLOWLY!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Good to know Sue!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I walk my doodles a mile a day as long as it isn't 110 degrees with 90% humidity, or raining.  It does not tire them out but there is an area where I can let them run like the wind and between the two they seem to be fine.  I am too old to jog!!

[Camus]

Camus walks with me 4 miles every morning and with me and my husband about 3 miles in the evening. My husband makes some short runs with Camus during our evening walks. We usually walk on golf courses or along the beach so they run forth and back for about 3 minutes, then walk, then run again. If we go for a hike. Camus let us know when he needs to rest but that happens rarely (we don't take him for difficult hikes yet).

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Riley gets three twenty minute walks a day and one play time in a field where he runs for a ball or chases swallows that are flying low at the moment.  I was told very strongly by the breeder not to walk him on pavements for long periods until he was fully grown.  He is five and a half months old now.  I can't wait to go on long walks with him when he is older.

[T Eaton]

My husband and I both run and walk daily, so we asked the vet this question. She advised against any running until their hips and joints are fully developed, at least one year old, and it varies by size of the dog. Running too early can result in joint problems later. She even advised against allowing the dog to jump off the bed, or run up and down stairs! So, I walked Hunter about 6 blocks to a mile up until he was one> She suggested I gradually increase distance as I saw his stamina increase. He now walks about 5 miles a day and runs with my husband 2.5 miles 4 times a week. He LOVES it!

 

If you work on the heel command all the while you are walking the pup, I think it transfers perfectly to jogging next to you- just don't let her play with the leash :) It's such great fun! Doodles are soooo atheletic!