Exercise
Young puppies should not be over exercised
Dogs and Puppies need exercise if they are to grow and remain strong and healthy and lead a long and active life.
In puppies bones are very soft and easily damaged, it is imperative that puppies are allowed to develop their full physical potential unhindered by a punishing regime of exercise.
Over exercising a puppy will lead at best to an unattractive leggy appearance where the adult may have long spindly legs and poor bone and at worst can lead to a crippled dog with poor hips, shoulders and elbows.
If you plan to train your puppy for Sheep Work, Gun
dog Tests, Working Trials, Agility, or Fly Ball you should not begin training
for the physical aspects of these disciplines until your puppy is at least
16 months and preferably 18 months old. An injury suffered at a young
age may trouble a dog for the rest of its life.
Generally until your puppy is 8 months old he will
need no exercise other than lots of fun and play with you in the back
garden, you should spend these months socialising your puppy rather than
walking him. Of course you will need to walk him around to socialise him
and may drive him to an open space to run around and play with other friendly
dogs but there should be no route marches or pavement slogging during
this time. Once your puppy is 8 months to a year old he can begin gentle
walks building up gradually to adult proportions. Restraint at this time
will help shape a dog that will be active and fit long into old age.
Whether you intend your puppy to be a companion or
want to work him at Sheep Work, Gun dog Tests, Working Trials, Agility,
or Fly Ball later on, the first priority is always training and control
so you will have a busy first year with your puppy before even thinking
about going for long walks.
Once your puppy has grown into a healthy adult a good quality diet, lots of healthy exercise will be essential but one 2 mile walk each day is far better than one 14 mile walk once a week. Remember that off the lead, your dog will cover at least three times the distance you walk.
As your dog comes to expect and look forward to his daily walk you must be consistent and not disappoint him just because it is raining or you are too tired.
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