Lenght of walks

[sledgehammer]

Hi group!
I have a little question for you, the more experienced weimy owners!
I've been told at the dog school that a puppy (until 1 year old) can only take a walk of 500m max
Now I'm doing 3 walks of 15 min a day (I would estimate the distance, but estimating is not 1 of my stronger points )
Am I over pushing my puppy?
What is your opinion on the lengths of walks a day for a puppy that has 13-14 weeks?
Thx for your reply's

[Kobie]

Hi Gilbert,

15 min walk for a pup of 13 weeks is more than enough.... At this age, a pup is sleeping alot during the day... Be careful !
At the age of 6 months, you can go more often and longer walks (not too long...). I would not recommand taking often stairs, to protect the bones of your puppy...
Over the age of 1-1,5, you can do whatever you like, long walks, agility, ect....

Best wishes

[greyghost]

A general guideline is 5 mins on lead exercise for every month of your pups age at any one time. Free play is unlimited around the garden as they can always rest when they want to. Their bones do not fuse until around the age of 15-18 months so great care must be taken with them 'til then.

[Speeds]

Whe Zola was little I used to do mooch walks where we would go out and mooch around. No running, just being out for about an hour watching the world go by, meeting people and dogs.

I used to walk him around my garden at lunchtimes instead of taking him out for a walk too.

I was careful not to overstretch him on any walks and tbh he never walked more than about 30 mins until he was a year.

[sledgehammer]

All,
Thx for the advice...

Guess I will stick to the 5min/month rule...
Butt 3 walks a day (of 15 min max/ pup 13 weeks) is no problem?

[ryanatc]

This is just my .02cents worth - but when my female was 3 months old she was learning how to work a field (ok mowed lawn with restrained birds). By 6 months she was in short stubble working birds for 20-30 minutes at a time. By 1 year she was hunting with me in the fields. Also, by one year old she was my regular training partner for my running adventures. Her Hips and Elbows have both been examined and have gained a 'Good' rating from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

Let your pup be your guide - some days longer may be ok and other shirter will be perfect!

Good Luck!

[greyghost]

It's not exactly a rule just a guide. Better safe than sorry.......

[sledgehammer]

Thank you all for the advice...
Guess I have to look to our puppy how he reacts and take that 5min/month as a guideline
The 2 days a week we go to puppy class he only gets 2 walks...because he's so tired that he sleeps a lot ;-)
So that would be the day's where we take walkes for a 'short' distance...
The other days we could take 1 of the walks a little further so he can "spend he's energy'!
Not to mention the "boss" his energy ;-)
I already lost 5kg, just walking him around :-)

[ryanatc]

Aren't dogs wonderful....they make you walk farther than just from the couch to the fridge! LOL!!!!

My girl has been my best 5k, 10k and marathon training partner over the past 3 years! She sees her leash and never complains about going out for a run...even though I may be complaining all the way...she is always happy to go!!!!!

[greyghost]

Yeah - but try and get them to go out for a wee when it's raining ;D ;D ;D ;D

[ryanatc]

I got a tirck to that...I tell her we are going hunting and it is like the rain is not even there!!!!

[kelandmitzi]

Thank you for this tread its been a very interesting read , esp as a newbie & 1st time weim owner !