Puppy exercise

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hula-hoop
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Puppy exercise

Post by hula-hoop »

Apologies if I have put this in the wrong section or if there are loads of threads on this topic already (somewhere!) - I did do a search but couldnt find any (but that may just be me not looking properly! (hammer) )

I have a few questions relating to puppy exercise. We havent actually got our mini yet (1 month to go *excited smilie (giggle) ) but I am trying to get things planned for him.

Firstly, I have heard that as a puppy he shouldnt be exercised too much, and that 5 minutes walk is about right for each month of his age; is this correct? My concern is that he will go to Doggy Daycare during the day and will probably be playing with the other dogs there for most of the time - should I take him for a brief walk either before this, or in the evening, or will this be too much on top of playing during the day?

Secondly, I have read that he shouldnt jump when he is a puppy, to prevent stress on his joints. Now we were planning on letting him sit on our spare armchair, however this would entail him jumping up/down - is this bit of jumping ok, or is it a strict no no? (I know this may sound like a daft question, but we are happy for him to have the chair, but dont want to encourage him to do something that might cause him health problems later).

Thirdly, I was also told not to let him run after a ball when he is little - is this right???!

Thank you in advance (dogrun)
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by august23 »

Have just put a post on re a really good puppy book. It was reccomended to me by our behaviourist. It's fantastic & has everything in it. It's called The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey. Good luck with the puppy, & keep us posted.
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Tulip

Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Tulip »

Walking five minutes each month of age until six months is generally correct, and I think a walk before daycare would be great for socialising at such a young age, so maybe a half walk and then daycare. Just let them know how old he is and maybe give them his crate so he can snooze in there when tired?

Joints shouldn't be strained by jumping down or up things like stairs or sofas, no, it can damage ligaments and joints - so perhaps ferrying is your best option! ;)
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Sianny »

He won't be able to jump up on the chair - he'll be too small :D lol It was months before Ralphy managed it, same goes for the stairs. One day you'll have a quiet minute -ALWAYS dangerous in Puppy World! And you'll here a yip from the top of the stairs and your pup is saying "how do I get down!?"

The rules on exercise are good, plus round the block walks are good for keeping the nails down.
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Guinevere »

We let Arthur come down the steps of our caravan when he was 12 weeks old and then we had to rest him for a week cause he was limping. If you put him on the chair he will probably not jump down cause they are scaredy cats at that age but i wouldn't risk it.
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Sianny »

It's a blessing really so when you give two schnauzers the run of the house and one is a pup, the older one can take a break on the sofa - see? :-) lol
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by dannie_kl »

Sianny wrote:It's a blessing really so when you give two schnauzers the run of the house and one is a pup, the older one can take a break on the sofa - see? :-) lol
My lot have enjoyed this situation for the past 3 months but now sapphire can get on and off the sofa so thats the end of that one!
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Sianny »

*cue Saffy evil laugh*

... so there's your time frame for jumping! lol!
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by dannie_kl »

Sianny i am worried how well you seemingly know sapphire! lol
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Caramomo »

Or they could be a Mo puppy - jumping off the sofa at five weeks old and the two foot high decking a few days later. At 5 months she was jumping of 6-7foot high walls. She has given me a fright now and again I can tell you! She still hasn't figured out the most efficient way to jump down yet either - she doesn't aim downwards, nope, gathers all four feet under her and launches herself straight up into the air as if she has to clear an obstacle before jumping down!
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by sugarbear »

Jasmin does that launching move too. She wasn't able to jump small buildings in a single leap, like your Mo. (dogrun) [laughing]
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by hula-hoop »

Thanks everyone. So, maybe a little short walk round the streets before or after daycare? And leave the chair until he is able to get up/down himself, right? Also, when he is able to get upstairs, shall I let him or will this put too much stress on his joints?

Sorry if I am making a meal of this Im just a bit confused and want to get it right for him!
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Sianny »

Ralphy never attempted to come back down the stairs "you can lead a Ralph up a stair.." but when he was a bit more developed I taught him to come down, one paw at a time but I can't think how old he was, puppyhood is all a blur!
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by Guinevere »

Arthur could get upstairs quite soon but has only just been able to come down and that was with gentle encouragement....OH holding collar and gently tugging down each step. once they done it once thats it. Up down up down. Still won't go down steps outside if sleepy. We have to carry him out for a wee at night or he wouldn't go.
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Re: Puppy exercise

Post by sugarbear »

I would spend time encouraging them to learn and OH would say you are asking for t r o u b l e. :p)
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