Have a chocolate labrador who is 15 weeks old. I regularly walk for 20 minutes in morning and evening. At weekends we go out for about 2 hours walking and playing with him. Someone told me this is too much and that he will always expect it. Also that it can damage his legs and make him bandy if he walks too much - I'm confused - Help please.
2008-03-31T02:59:04Z
In answer to couple of you... He's had his injections. The expecting thing is that we may not be able to go out for as long each weekend. We've every intention to take him out throughout his life - obviously.
Geof2008-03-31T05:02:07Z
Favorite Answer
2 20 minute walks a day is fine, but 2 hours of walking and playing is probably too much for a 15 week old puppy. You may damage his growth plates. You should wait till he's maybe 5-6 months to play for that long. When he's about a year you can do more intense things with him. And who cares if your dog expects that much play and exercise. Responsible dog owners should make every effort to make sure that their dog is getting adequate exercise and it sounds as if you're trying your best. Just don't push him too far while he's so young.
The weekdays are great and like someone pointed out not nearly enough people give their dogs the right amount of exercise. A bored dog is a disruptive dog. 2 hours though Could be to much , if you are just slowly walking and nothing too impact then it is fine but if it is running and alot of high energy plays it might be a lot for a little puppies joints to handle. He is young so take it nice and easy , the best time to run with a dog is when they are 1 years old anytime before that could put to much pressure on his joints.
A lot of people give bad advise! NO it is not too much, it is not enough! Puppies dont really need a lot of excersize because of playing so much but this is a perfect time to leash train him. He is a lab and needs lots of excersize! By the time he is an adult he should be walked twice a day 1 hour each, and allowed some safe off leash running. The sooner you begin training the better behaved he will be as an adult.
Two walks a day, and a few hours on the weekend, too much? That sounds fine to me. Most people don't walk their dogs nearly enough. As for the "what he'll expect" argument, that usually comes from people who are too lazy to continue giving their dog attention after it's grown. So what if the dog expects it, you should be doing it for the life of the dog.
Of course if you're really worried you should ask your vet, but what you're doing sounds quite reasonable to me.
That is too much for a puppy that young to take. I would say about 20 minutes a day. 2 hours straight for a puppy?!? Whoa! I would say if your going walking you should probably walk him for a hour minimum and dont walk him anymore! He isnt ready for that much. He needs some shut eye to grow.