amount of exercise

[rollazuki]

Paddy, my 15 week old pup, gets walked 2 or 3 times per day, but always has extra energy, and loves a run, as opposed to a walk.
Ive read that approx 5 minutes per month of age for puppies is a good benchmark, but he regularly gets more than that and is happy to continue.
Anyone got any opinions on amounts of excersise, and how to burn off excess energy if walking requirements have been exceeded.

Dont wanna hurt his little joints at a young age etc, but he seems to have way more energy than a brisk 15 minute walk.

rolla

[salukimama]

Its not easy to restrict exercise when a pup is raring to go!!
With mine i let then play as much as they want in the garden, but restrict time with older dogs and in 'formal' exercise such as lead walking. I think 15-20 mins is plenty at this age. It is really more for socialising/ training than anything else. You can also sit in places where there are lots of people etc and let him watch the world go by. Mental stimulation can be tiring too, so this and a short training session in the house will also help him get tired without pushing him too much physically at his tender age.

Perhaps see if you can find a training class for baby puppies too. Make sure you sit in and watch a class before you take him, just to make sure you like the atmosphere and methods. Puppy classes really tire out a pup!

Remember that aim at this age is just to take the edge off his energy, he needs all his calories to grow and develop properly.

I think you are being sensible with what you are doing already.

[rollazuki]

Thanks for the advice, Ive got obedience training lined up , starting on 7th nov. There are several puppies and loads of older dogs there, so good for socialisation. I like the idea of going somewhere busy and letting him watch the world go by, good idea to sit in a pavement cafe and let him see the world while I have a coffee or two......hmmmmmm

[LurcherGirl]

Fully agree with salukimama. I apply the 5-minute rule to things like road walking. When Jesse was little, I used to walk him to the park (about 10 minutes each way) and then let him play in the park, do a little training with him, let him watch football games, play with other dogs etc.

It seems that what you are doing is fine.

Vera

[Roo_n_Layla]

I used the 5 minute walks rule with Layla too when she was a puppy, and then my brain got a work-out thinking of things to give her brain a work-out and tire her mentally! Its hard when they have so much energy and are as sharp as a button. I used to sit in the village bus shelter to let her watch the world go by - but I think a cafe and coffee is a much better idea!!

[rollazuki]

Sitting in a bus shelter all day????

Next step is with a bottle of brandy in a paper bag ?????


Im gonna go to a cafe!

[Roo_n_Layla]

I know! No cafes around here unfortunately..... have fun with your puppy