How much should he walk?

[evilfeline007]

Well I have an almost 5 month old neo cross and he gets about 2 45 minute walks. When I first got him I was concerned about walking him to much because I had heard it's bad for large puppies. My vet specialises in large breed dogs and has own great danes and mastiffs all her life. Now this is the specific advice she gave to me regarding specifically my pup, who is part sheperd/lab and therefore isn't as large and is higher energy as a pure giant breed.

She said that 1.5-2 hrs of walking a day is appropriate as long as it is
- spread among at least 2-3 walks
- limited amount of time on concrete
- minimal running
- i listen to my pup when he sits down and says 'no'
- there are rest breaks
- i work him up to that and then maintain it (no weekend warrioring)

I usually do a morning walk off leash in the woods so he can be a dog, and then in the afternoon I go to a busy, local, on-leash park. So one walk is non-structured, and one walk is structured.

When I first started, my pup lunged as trucks, skate boarders, bikers, joggers, everything. I just firmly told him 'leave it' and eventually he got used to those surroundings and stopped. I also stop on the structured walks for a little training session of sits, downs and stays in a busy park with lots of distractions.

 

[musicdeb]

Well I have an almost 5 month old neo cross and he gets about 2 45 minute walks. When I first got him I was concerned about walking him to much because I had heard it's bad for large puppies. My vet specialises in large breed dogs and has own great danes and mastiffs all her life. Now this is the specific advice she gave to me regarding specifically my pup, who is part sheperd/lab and therefore isn't as large and is higher energy as a pure giant breed.

She said that 1.5-2 hrs of walking a day is appropriate as long as it is
- spread among at least 2-3 walks
- limited amount of time on concrete
- minimal running
- i listen to my pup when he sits down and says 'no'
- there are rest breaks
- i work him up to that and then maintain it (no weekend warrioring)

I usually do a morning walk off leash in the woods so he can be a dog, and then in the afternoon I go to a busy, local, on-leash park. So one walk is non-structured, and one walk is structured.

When I first started, my pup lunged as trucks, skate boarders, bikers, joggers, everything. I just firmly told him 'leave it' and eventually he got used to those surroundings and stopped. I also stop on the structured walks for a little training session of sits, downs and stays in a busy park with lots of distractions.

Great info!

 

[dmark]

Some dogs will do fine with a two-block walk, while others can go two miles. A good rule of thumb is that the shorter the dog’s legs, the less distance he can go. Smaller dogs, like pugs or toys, won’t be able to go as far as large dogs, like golden retrievers. A dog’s breed is important as well. Short-legged breeds, like bulldogs and daschunds, won’t be able to walk as far as breeds with longer-legged builds. The walking environment is also a factor. Hot weather will not only make a dog more prone to overheating, but it can heat cement up enough that it could be painful for your dog’s paws. Dogs can also walk farther on dirt trails than on sidewalks or asphalt, because rough concrete can be hard on the pads of their feet.

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Great info!

I second that, great info. I was always told to go by the rule 10 minutes per month of age once per day or spilt in to two. So if puppy is 5 months old then 50 minutes is more than enough for a structured walk. 2 x 25 minutes, once in the morning and again in the evening should be the way to go. My mutts are now 2 and 3 years old and they get 40 minutes at 5.30am and then 60-90 minutes in the evening. Mid day their dog sitter comes over for half an hour to let them out for a play in the garden and at weekends we usually do 1 long walks in the fields or woods. During the summer months walks are longer and further but in the winter I dont take them to the woods on my own...its too dark by the time I get home. As for fear of cars, motor bikes etc I would just persue and pretend like nothing is wrong, take it slow and he will pick up on your confidence.