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Exercise duration for puppies

935 views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  MeadowCat 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone

My first real question.

Lexi will be 4 month old on Wednesday of this week. I have been walking her twice a day totaling around 5 miles, each walk is around 50 minutes. I have been told this is too much while her joints are growing really fast and have been advised I should only be walking for around 20 minutes at a time.

any advice welcome.
 
#2 ·
I really prefer "free" play for puppies, rather than "forced" exercise...what I mean by that is that puppies can choose how long to run and play, stopping when they choose, running full out for as long as they choose. It's not so much the length of the walk, but that they can stop and start at their leisure. When they are leashed, they just keep going and it's repetitive. There's a school of thought that this can be damaging to growing joints and bones. If you are walking at her pace, letting her stop and sniff, meander around, rather than walking at a steady clip, I'd be less concerned...if you can keep it sort of "puppy directed" rather than human directed that is far preferable.

There is some newer research that suggests that we've gone a bit too far in restricting puppy exercise - see this article with linked research: https://www.mylamedog.com/post/what...ng-puppies-until-the-growth-plates-are-closed

Personally, I'm in the middle. I wouldn't run a pup on a treadmill or do jog with a puppy, but some of the newer recommendations that puppies can only walk 20 minutes seem a little ludicrous.
 
#10 ·
She's a pretty girl - would love to see more pics!
 
#14 ·
Love her - what a cutie! I especially like the one with the ponies!
 
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