erikalol

i'm wanting to bring my 5 month old boy running with me (running buddy for me, exercise for him!) but i don't want him to be miserable, ya know?

it'll be about a 3 mile walk/jog right by the water. it's currently 51 degrees and windy with some sun (finally!) - will he be okay to join me with out wearing a sweater?

thanks!

AlyssaN

How coincidental, I started a thread about running with my dog today as well. Unfortunately, you have a wait ahead of you because your puppy shouldn't be running for another year at least, lest you risk ruining his joints.

Use the search option to find out more about running.

Also, don't take him running yet.

melbrod

Jogging is not recommended for a dog until he is about 18 months old--his joints and tendons need a chance to mature before you subject them to repetitive exercises like jogging or to play which involves a lot of twisting and jumping high into the air.

Remember too, that he will want to be with you so much that he may overdo it just to stay up with you.

It would be better for you to find an exercise where he can set the tempo, and also take a break from play, on his own terms.

About the coat thing--I usually figure that if I feel like I need a jacket or coat, my dog will too--we break out the coat somewhere in the thirties. Wind, humidity, amount of sunshine and length of time the dog is out in the weather all factor into the decision.

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erikalol

Oops. Well, I haven't been running with him but we have been walking around the neighborhood - trying to burn off some of that puppy energy. Is that bad?

Would walking be okay? Or same thing, still risking ruining his joints?

AlyssaN

Walking's okay, as long as you're able to recognize when he's getting tired and you give him a break. A lot of my walking involves me allowing him to explore the neighbourhood and use his nose to tire himself out.

The rule of thumb for walking is 5 minutes for every month. So your 5 month old puppy should be limited to walks that are less than 25 minutes.

MaxsMom

Walking will be fine, just no running/jogging with you until he is older.

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erikalol

Alright, so walks less than 25 minutes are good. If there's energy left over, just more play time? Tug o war? lol

AlyssaN

Oh there will be energy left over. In my experience there is no walk that is suffice enough to tire out a puppy. So, we go to the pet store and check out all the little animals in their cages (birds drive him nuts) and get loved on by the staff. We buy big bones that take forever to get through. We train for a trick - he's very smart! And we also play with the wobbler.

Physical exercise won't be enough to tire him out. You gotta get creative!

erikalol

Thanks! You guys are all awesome.

erikalol

...but walking him in chilly weather? Is 51 degrees okay?

AlyssaN

I live in Canada so actually I wish it was 51 degrees outside, you just need to bundle him up. Keep those ears warm. Buy a snood and get some cute little booties.

erikalol

Alrighty, note taken. Thanks again!

Matt Vandart

This has actually been concerning me also due to my possible move to Canada.
My last dobe had no problem with the cold but these two are 'ripped' and seem to feel the cold more, Especially Becca.

smudgeid

Sounds like you could use a coat or a sweater. If it's going to get colder - check out "snoods'. (I think they look really stupid, but someone told me that if I'm covering my ears, I should be covering the dog's ears.....)
Kate

pdubois64

I live in Canada and my boy had a coat, but I only put it on him when the temp got down to around -15F. He was running though not walking. The cold never bothered him.

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Darkevs

good grief..........are dobes getting wimpier or are their owners?

my dobes are out in all kinds of weather, with or without me.

never had a frost bit ear, hypothermia, etc.

dealt with an occasional cut toe or pad from crusty, icy snow............

but all in all they have enjoyed every minute out in the great outdoors.

no matter what the weather.

and with no clothes added to cover up their beauty!



Hugz to ALL Doberman in coats or not!

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MeadowCat

Mine get colder when they are walking than when they are running around, but they definitely appreciate a coat of some kind in the winter. If your weather gets cold enough that frostbite is a risk, I'd recommend a snood if your dog has cropped ears. The tips of their ears can get frostbitten, too.

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MeadowCat

In my case, we are both wimpy

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AlyssaN

We're both a little wimpy. It's not even the cold that's so bad, it's the wind. Manitoba has some pretty extreme winters though.

lestat1978

In general, Ivan does not do well at either extreme.

When we're doing OB for SAR, if it's in the 40's I'll put a coat on him. However, when he's out practicing a search, I'll leave the coat off. He does fine if he's running around.

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Sherryh

When we lived in Indiana with our first doberman the snow would be blowing and he would do his business and run to the back door......he loved warm weather..