How long to walk my dog

Chocolate Lab · 08-11-2005, 11:36 AM

I have a 5 month old chocolate lab, does anyone know how long we should walk him for?

Right now we go for 40 to 45 minute walks at an average pace. We walk him twice a day and we also play in our back yard.

We just started walking this long distance with him this week and I just wanted to make sure it was OK.

sharona1973 · 08-12-2005, 06:04 AM

I would be interested in hearing answers to this question too. My puppy is 4 months old and we also walk him about 45 minutes to 1 hour a day. He seems to do okay although the last time we walked, he trailed a little and we weren't sure if that was a sign that he was tired? That was also the day that our older dog wasn't walking with us. Mocha is a poodle/terrier mix.

Kade · 08-12-2005, 07:55 AM

I don't know the exact answer, but those sound like pretty long walks. Although I know Labs have tons of energy and I'm sure the puppy doesn't mind it!

chazzysmybaby · 08-12-2005, 08:19 AM

I walk my puppy maybe 25 minutes? Because he gets tired cuz he's constantly running and pulling which I object. Ah well...

capersuasion02 · 08-12-2005, 08:56 AM

I would say that is a long walk especially since you play with him in the backyard too. If he seems to be getting tired at a certain point in the walk maybe that will help you decide better on a time. we used to walk my Rottie about a mile which only took 25-30 minutes. However, I'm not the best with this advice since I have a mutt that is small and help my grandma with 2 toy poodles. Hope I helped a little.

kerriebeth21 · 08-12-2005, 09:43 AM

Walk until the puppy is tired! A tired puppy is a good puppy! Just not so tired that their tongue is hanging to the ground!

Pugdawg1 · 08-12-2005, 09:43 AM

Have a 6 month old pug that does an hour or so of a walk, most every evening, and is STILL loaded with energy.

kerriebeth21 · 08-12-2005, 09:47 AM

Your day must be packed with laughter with all those Pugs running around the house!

Pugdawg1 · 08-12-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerriebeth21

Your day must be packed with laughter with all those Pugs running around the house!

There's never a dull moment LOL. I try to wear them out with long fast walks but it doesn't work too well. They come home and play and run and snort. LOL

kerriebeth21 · 08-12-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugdawg1

There's never a dull moment LOL. I try to wear them out with long fast walks but it doesn't work too well. They come home and play and run and snort. LOL

God I love dogs! There's no way to be depressed if you have a bunch of dogs! My mom tells me that they haven't watch a whole TV program since the puppies were born (July 5). I probably wouldn't watch TV either if you have puppies to play with!

Mom2Many · 08-12-2005, 05:14 PM

Hmmm, I was always taught that in medium to large breed pups you shouldn't actually walk them that much as it can cause damage to their joints during these critical growth periods, especially if you walk on concrete or blacktop. Also that you should never jog them until they have finished growing, just the running that they wish to do in the backyard or at the dog park. With my german shepherd pup we walked about 20 minutes max when he was that age. Now at seven months we do trek for a bit longer because we walk on a trail in the woods.
It would also depend on how far you are walking it that 45 minute period. I could walk three miles or more in that time so that would be an extreme amount for a puppy.
The best for a large breed pup is short frequent walks and play in the yard and house for as long as the pup is willing.

kerriebeth21 · 08-12-2005, 05:54 PM

I have never heard not to walk a large breed puppy. Where did you hear that?? The only thing to refrain from is too much jumping around and "horse" play. Walks shouldn't hurt anything. If your puppy's joints are too delicate to walk, I'd think about what you are feeding him/her.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 08-12-2005, 05:59 PM

I agree with Mom2Many - walking is fine but shouldn't be over done.

Our DDB pup gets a short 10 minute walk but gets her extra play times to make up for it. The idea is to not stress the joints.

Mom2Many · 08-12-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerriebeth21

I have never heard not to walk a large breed puppy. Where did you hear that?? The only thing to refrain from is too much jumping around and "horse" play. Walks shouldn't hurt anything. If your puppy's joints are too delicate to walk, I'd think about what you are feeding him/her.

Where did I say anything about not walking a puppy? I said that you should limit the amount of walking you do and most cetainly build up endurance at a respectable pace. You are also right, if a LBD doesn't get proper nutrition and ample exercise their muscle tone will be weak and not able to support their weight. There is a happy balance though, thank goodness. Fewer shorter walks at first building up to longer treks as the pup matures.

08-11-2005, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chocolate Lab Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 110 Rep Power: 0	How long to walk my dog I have a 5 month old chocolate lab, does anyone know how long we should walk him for? Right now we go for 40 to 45 minute walks at an average pace. We walk him twice a day and we also play in our back yard. We just started walking this long distance with him this week and I just wanted to make sure it was OK.

08-12-2005, 07:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kade 9 months old?! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 903 Rep Power: 89	I don't know the exact answer, but those sound like pretty long walks. Although I know Labs have tons of energy and I'm sure the puppy doesn't mind it!
	__________________ "You come home, the dog throws itself at you. 'Where have you been? You've been so long. I missed you, missed you, missed you. I love you, love you, love you. What's in the bag? Something for me? Oh, let me lick your ear. Oh, let me chew your gloves. You're home!''' -- Pam Brown All About Winston

08-12-2005, 08:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
chazzysmybaby Chazzy- GSB/Terrier baby Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 83 Rep Power: 0	I walk my puppy maybe 25 minutes? Because he gets tired cuz he's constantly running and pulling which I object. Ah well...
	__________________ My 3 month old GSD/American Staffordshire Terrier, Chazzy!! MWAH my baby!!

08-12-2005, 09:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
kerriebeth21 New Ridgeback Mom! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 422 Rep Power: 86	Walk until the puppy is tired! A tired puppy is a good puppy! Just not so tired that their tongue is hanging to the ground!
	__________________ "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner My Doggy Homepage

08-12-2005, 09:43 AM	#7 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 135	Have a 6 month old pug that does an hour or so of a walk, most every evening, and is STILL loaded with energy.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

08-12-2005, 06:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
sharona1973 Proud mom of Mishka&Mocha Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 161 Rep Power: 65	I would be interested in hearing answers to this question too. My puppy is 4 months old and we also walk him about 45 minutes to 1 hour a day. He seems to do okay although the last time we walked, he trailed a little and we weren't sure if that was a sign that he was tired? That was also the day that our older dog wasn't walking with us. Mocha is a poodle/terrier mix.

08-12-2005, 08:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
capersuasion02 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 66 Rep Power: 0	I would say that is a long walk especially since you play with him in the backyard too. If he seems to be getting tired at a certain point in the walk maybe that will help you decide better on a time. we used to walk my Rottie about a mile which only took 25-30 minutes. However, I'm not the best with this advice since I have a mutt that is small and help my grandma with 2 toy poodles. Hope I helped a little.

08-12-2005, 09:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
kerriebeth21 New Ridgeback Mom! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 422 Rep Power: 86	Your day must be packed with laughter with all those Pugs running around the house!
	__________________ "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner My Doggy Homepage

08-12-2005, 05:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
Mom2Many Owned by 1 GSD & 1 APBT Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Untangling Gunnar's Leash Posts: 873 Rep Power: 92	Hmmm, I was always taught that in medium to large breed pups you shouldn't actually walk them that much as it can cause damage to their joints during these critical growth periods, especially if you walk on concrete or blacktop. Also that you should never jog them until they have finished growing, just the running that they wish to do in the backyard or at the dog park. With my german shepherd pup we walked about 20 minutes max when he was that age. Now at seven months we do trek for a bit longer because we walk on a trail in the woods. It would also depend on how far you are walking it that 45 minute period. I could walk three miles or more in that time so that would be an extreme amount for a puppy. The best for a large breed pup is short frequent walks and play in the yard and house for as long as the pup is willing.
	__________________ Thanks to Keyodie for the beautiful signature! SAY NO TO BSL!

08-12-2005, 05:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
kerriebeth21 New Ridgeback Mom! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 422 Rep Power: 86	I have never heard not to walk a large breed puppy. Where did you hear that?? The only thing to refrain from is too much jumping around and "horse" play. Walks shouldn't hurt anything. If your puppy's joints are too delicate to walk, I'd think about what you are feeding him/her.
	__________________ "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." - Gilda Radner My Doggy Homepage

08-12-2005, 05:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	I agree with Mom2Many - walking is fine but shouldn't be over done. Our DDB pup gets a short 10 minute walk but gets her extra play times to make up for it. The idea is to not stress the joints.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

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