When it's ok(age) to run your dog?

[c0_re]

I have a 5 1\2 month old bulldog mix puppy(currently looks more like a lean long brindle full grown pug with long legs, my avatar is him at 4 monthes) he's about 17lbs. We walk 2x daily during the week and lately he's been wanting to pick up the pace. Being winter time almost all of our walks take place on hard surfaces.

Here's my question I know your not supposed to run with puppies due to their still developing bones, joints especially on hard surfaces.

He walks very well but like I said lately he wants to go faster, so this is it he's to young for leash corrections to set his pace and I can't speed up to keep in front of him because it puts him into a run.

What should I do, in my experience my dog walking in front of me is out of the question I consider it a key ingredient in building leadership.

Thanks!

[shandoggy1]

Ask ten different people and you will get ten different answers I posted a thread about this awhile back and didn't really get my answer just pace yourself and let him let you know when it is time to go longer. I started out 1 to 2 miles a day at 5 months old and now at the age of 8 months we are going 3 to 4 miles a day. However, on the weekends we go hiking and walk more than that and my pup does fine. Of course he is an ACD and you try telling a Cattle dog to slow down . I know you have to becareful with growing pups bones but my pup has been doing fine. I'm not sure if it is only dogs who can be prone to hip dysplasia that you have to limit excercise at such a young age but maybe someone can tell us about that. As far as your dog walking out in front of you I use a training collar and am training him to heel by my side when we walk, I usually bring treats with me to get his attention and now he is at the point when we are walking if I stop he looks up to me and sits and then I give him a reward and he is heeling. Funny, I'm making a Red heeler HEEL! LOL! It is another name for an ACD

[kazkirkpatrick]

He is a little guy, so I would say you could start sooner. I have big dogs, and I would never start running them any distance before age 1. Long walks, yes, but not runs.

[c0_re]

thank you both, like I said he's ussually very good and stays right by my side but just lately he starts speeding up he's a puppy eith lots of energy, then I speed up a little, then he speeds up a little more and it escaltes from there until one of us runs out of energy(normally him but somtimes me)

I imagine it's quite commical for the neighberhood to watch us

[kazkirkpatrick]

Oh, and to add to that, he is definitly old enough to be leash trained!

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by kazkirkpatrick

Oh, and to add to that, he is definitly old enough to be leash trained!

I use a leash to walk him and that, what do you mean by "leash trained" I just heard puppy necks\thoats are senstive so I hesitate to give him enough of a correction to get his attention?

[IceyBlueSibes]

Never use a "leash correction" (popping, jurking, tugging) on a puppy. As you said, their necks and throats are sensitive and still developing.

I think what she meant by "leash trained" is training him to stay by yourside.

But, as long as you don't over do the exercise. Go for a nice walk, and when you notice your puppy becoming tired, turn around and go back home. Don't allow your pup to jump a lot, or jump from high places. Just keep it low key.

One way I taught Sarge, my boxer/GSD mix, and Lilly, a rottie I had, to walk next to me, is held some nice yummy cheese right by my side. I constantly said "Heel, gooood heel" And then I would bring the cheese up towards me, to where they came to a point where they couldn't reach it, and just had to watch me. They caught on really quick.

But seeing that you have a bulldog mix, I'm sure it would be hard to walk all bent over LOL My best suggestion would be to PRAISE him like crazy when he comes by your side. You said he speeds up every now and then to walk in front of you... when he does this, just stop completely, until the leash loosens up. One you do this, continue, and whenever he comes next to your side, praise him like crazy and give him whichever command you'd like to use for him. You have to be consistent though, so remember that!

That's my .02 Hope it helped!

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by IceyBlueSibes

Never use a "leash correction" (popping, jurking, tugging) on a puppy. As you said, their necks and throats are sensitive and still developing.

I think what she meant by "leash trained" is training him to stay by yourside.

But, as long as you don't over do the exercise. Go for a nice walk, and when you notice your puppy becoming tired, turn around and go back home. Don't allow your pup to jump a lot, or jump from high places. Just keep it low key.

One way I taught Sarge, my boxer/GSD mix, and Lilly, a rottie I had, to walk next to me, is held some nice yummy cheese right by my side. I constantly said "Heel, gooood heel" And then I would bring the cheese up towards me, to where they came to a point where they couldn't reach it, and just had to watch me. They caught on really quick.

But seeing that you have a bulldog mix, I'm sure it would be hard to walk all bent over LOL My best suggestion would be to PRAISE him like crazy when he comes by your side. You said he speeds up every now and then to walk in front of you... when he does this, just stop completely, until the leash loosens up. One you do this, continue, and whenever he comes next to your side, praise him like crazy and give him whichever command you'd like to use for him. You have to be consistent though, so remember that!

That's my .02 Hope it helped!

This is wonderful advice and exactly what I'm looking for IceyBlueSibes THANK YOU!

[IceyBlueSibes]

You're very welcome!

[kazkirkpatrick]

Thanks for clearing that up, I mean your pup is old enough to learn how to walk nicely on a leash!