neil3728 Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 My new Lad puppy is 18 weeks old, coming along rather fast with what little training has been done. My question is, just how much exercise should she be getting. I read somewhere about 5 mins per month of age as too much could give them hip problems in latter life, is this correct or could we do a little more. She has so much energy that this little walk is doing very little to tire her out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 (edited) Don't do anything until 6-month old, I was told be a breeder. Just let them play in the garden. Don't let them jump. Don't let them climb stairs or anything steep. Lift them in and out of the car. Edited December 3, 2015 by rjimmer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 There's an bloke who drinks in my local who bought a labrador, it's about three months old. I went to stroke the puppy and it was asleep on the pub chair, it didn't wake up and it was completely out cold. I asked what was up with it and the owner said that the puppy runs mental for ages, so he just keeps walking it. Then he said that the puppy only calms down when it's in pain from running too much... It was hard to hold my anger back and the owner didn't seem to listen to my advice. That poor dog is headed for a life of pain I was always told between 5-10 minutes per month. The other advice I wish I'd taken on is to sort the dog's diet out early and never buy supermarket brand foods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 There's an bloke who drinks in my local who bought a labrador, it's about three months old. I went to stroke the puppy and it was asleep on the pub chair, it didn't wake up and it was completely out cold. I asked what was up with it and the owner said that the puppy runs mental for ages, so he just keeps walking it. Then he said that the puppy only calms down when it's in pain from running too much... It was hard to hold my anger back and the owner didn't seem to listen to my advice. That poor dog is headed for a life of pain I don't think I'd have been able to keep my mouth shut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Don't do anything until 6-month old, I was told be a breeder. Just let them play in the garden. Don't let them jump. Don't let them climb stairs or anything steep. Lift them in and out of the car. Easier said than done ,my new one is half bleeding kangaroo I think ever time he sees me he is bouncing up and down the kennel door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Easier said than done ,my new one is half bleeding kangaroo I think ever time he sees me he is bouncing up and down the kennel door. What breed is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Diet has been sorted from birth, she is on a good quality dry food with no fillers just meat and veg. She does not jump that much, but stopping her from climbing is almost impossible. Looks like I could walk her a little more as we are out about 40 mins every morning. Although that will be harder on me as it's already silly o'clock when I need to get up to walk her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I spoke to a Flatcoat breeder once who said she had never bred anything with Hip Dysplasia until she suddenly had 2 complains about dogs from one litter, She visited the dogs and found that one was living high up in a block of flats with lots of stairs and the other was on one of the Channel Islands running up and down seaside cliffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 What breed is it? A lab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farma Geddon Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I let mine do what they like. They don't have problems. 2 are nearly 6 and the other 9 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 My dad used to say: "Many receive advice, Few profit from it". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farma Geddon Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 My dad used to say: "Many receive advice, Few profit from it".My dad used to say "A little knowledge is dangerous " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 My dad used to say "A little knowledge is dangerous " 'Little' being the important part, but Ignorance is bliss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farma Geddon Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 You may have the last word , I wish to get ready for the morning flight and watch some telly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Diet has been sorted from birth, she is on a good quality dry food with no fillers just meat and veg. She does not jump that much, but stopping her from climbing is almost impossible. Looks like I could walk her a little more as we are out about 40 mins every morning. Although that will be harder on me as it's already silly o'clock when I need to get up to walk her. Forty minutes is easily enough for a dog of that age, possibly too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 (edited) For what it's worth I don't start my pups off training, walking at heel, anything until they're seven to ten months old dependant on the dog. However I do appreciate that dogs in the home need training whereas I want my dogs jumping all over me to begin with (they're in kennels / the porch and spend all day out in the run with other dogs socialising. It's just me and i may be too precious but I only ask them for ten minutes concentration once maybe twice a day. Edited to say I'm not making sense. My dogs are trialling dogs and dogs that go to do another job that demands nuttiness and high drive. Just take it easy you'll be fine Edited December 4, 2015 by bigbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Neil, i currently have a Lab puppy of similar age to yours, mine is slightly younger. I walk my older lab twice a day, on the the second walk in the evening i take the pup along too. The walk lasts 20 mins. i have also started to take him for a 5 min walk on a lead at lunchtime if i am home. When he gets to six months old he will be walked twice a day with the older dog, just be sensible with it. I have always done the the same with previous dogs and had no problems. Persisting with 'no' and putting her back downwhen she climbs will help, but as with bigbird i won't start any proper training for a good while yet. Good luck with your pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Neil, i currently have a Lab puppy of similar age to yours, mine is slightly younger. I walk my older lab twice a day, on the the second walk in the evening i take the pup along too. The walk lasts 20 mins. i have also started to take him for a 5 min walk on a lead at lunchtime if i am home. When he gets to six months old he will be walked twice a day with the older dog, just be sensible with it. I have always done the the same with previous dogs and had no problems. Persisting with 'no' and putting her back downwhen she climbs will help, but as with bigbird i won't start any proper training for a good while yet. Good luck with your pup. Isnt this proper training? Setting parameters from the off seems important to me. I cant stop my Cocker spaniel (4 months) he is constantly on the go and insists on jumping up onto and subsequently down off, anything. I have mine with me all day out and about and he will rarely sit still and will often take to sprinting around the field for no obvious reason. Labs are heavier of course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 (edited) Isnt this proper training? Setting parameters from the off seems important to me. I cant stop my Cocker spaniel (4 months) he is constantly on the go and insists on jumping up onto and subsequently down off, anything. I have mine with me all day out and about and he will rarely sit still and will often take to sprinting around the field for no obvious reason. Labs are heavier of course? No, to me it is basic foundation and ground rules , much the same as making the pup sit before receiving his food. It is only my opinion of course and i speak of a lab pup that lives indoors with my family. i wouldn't class this as proper training, just setting the foundations from the off. Edited December 4, 2015 by aga man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjimmer Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I think talking about spaniels is getting away from what I assumed the first post was about. It's larger breeds, rather than smaller breeds, that run into hip problems as far as I am aware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 I think talking about spaniels is getting away from what I assumed the first post was about. It's larger breeds, rather than smaller breeds, that run into hip problems as far as I am aware. Not wanting to hijack the op. I hope you are right. I worry about this now as i have just taken my spaniel up the hill and its bouncing everywhere. Is there any documented evidence on this issue? If you have any links please post them. Letting him play in the garden at every opportunity but this seems to have little interest to him unless I am there. As a first time gun do owner I am a bit paranoid about making a mistake. I am trying to do just what the dog wants to do naturally whilst setting the ground rules and trying to stick to them. I do find these posts helpful and i am following the recall issue posted by big bird with interest. I have a first training session booked in a couple of weeks and the trainer was at pains to ensure that in advance I dont do too much trying and that I dont take anything from its mouth. More trepidation as i have been taking balls from it. Not anymore . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 There is a general over reaction to specific problems caused by over breeding (i.e. Hip Dysplasia). If you have a sound dog, naturally a puppy will (like a child) exercise as much as it needs or wants. The more exercise, the stronger the bones and muscles but avoid heavy cover (or assault courses) where injuries may be possible. Wild dogs and wolves from six weeks old will be doing normal rough and tumble exercise and up to 1 mile or more to feed sites By 6 months in the wild, wild dogs and wolves will be doing same miles parents do when following the hunting adults. Domestic dogs should be no different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farma Geddon Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) There is a general over reaction to specific problems caused by over breeding (i.e. Hip Dysplasia). If you have a sound dog, naturally a puppy will (like a child) exercise as much as it needs or wants. The more exercise, the stronger the bones and muscles but avoid heavy cover (or assault courses) where injuries may be possible. Wild dogs and wolves from six weeks old will be doing normal rough and tumble exercise and up to 1 mile or more to feed sites By 6 months in the wild, wild dogs and wolves will be doing same miles parents do when following the hunting adults. Domestic dogs should be no different. Agreed Edited December 5, 2015 by Farma Geddon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eieieio Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 Domesticated dogs aren't wild nor are they wolves. In the wild the only thing that matters is survival. In domesticated dogs it mostly matters wether you have been judged to conform to a breed standard or have ftch in your parentage. My understanding is that joint problems can be caused by a mixture of diet, genetics and over exercise. I would be sensible with diet and exercise without becoming too paranoid. You want to enjoy your dogs and not worry every time you take them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted December 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 Thanks, I'll keep doing what I am at the moment, the puppy seems happy. We are not doing any serious training, a little walking at heel and a bit off walking off the lead near home as I now its going to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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