Dogs & Exercise

When does exercise for puppies begin?

Puppies live with their mother for the first 8 weeks of life. So puppies under 3 months do not need "walks". It is enough to access a place (inside or outside the house), where they can be active for a few minutes several times a day, with intermittent rest breaks.

How much time should a puppy exercise daily?

According to the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom, a puppy needs 5 minutes of gentle activity up to twice a day for each month of his age. In other words, a 3 month old puppy needs 15 minutes of exercise, a 4 month old puppy needs 20 minutes and so on.

Is there a case for overdoing it on our puppy?

Puppies at a young age have loose joints and not well-developed muscle mass that can support them in large or intense activities. If during exercise you find that the puppy is not following you, or if later in the day (or the next day) the puppy is too tired for normal daily activities, then you have exceeded the limits of his endurance.

What are the risks of exercising at a young age?

Injuries to bones and joints are easy at an early age, and there are also hereditary, environmental or nutritional problems. Until recently, we believed that rapid growth and high body weight are the main factors - in addition to hereditary predisposition - that increase the likelihood of developing hip dysplasia. A recent study by the University of Norway on 500 large dogs (including the Labrador Retriever) showed that the dog's hip dysplasia was more affected than previously thought by the environment in which the puppies were raised. In particular, new research has shown that the breed with the slowest growth rate had the highest incidence of hip dysplasia (New World 36%), while the fastest growing breed had the lowest rate (Irish Wolfhound 10%).

What can I do to prevent hip dysplasia?

According to the same research, puppies that until the age of 3 months are exercised on soft ground and do not climb stairs were less likely to develop hip dysplasia. Thus simple preventive measures in the first trimester of life act protectively, ensuring a better quality of life in the animal. Recommended: Activity in moderation (intermittent short and long walks on soft surfaces) Avoid climbing stairs during puppy age. Avoid high jumps to protect the hip, shoulder, elbow and waist joints. When is an animal considered "kinetically" an adult? "Kinetic" adulthood depends directly on the adequate development of the skeleton. Animals weighing up to 11 kg can increase their activity to the level of an adult dog when they are 9 months old, larger animals (11-45 kg) will have to wait until the age of 14 months, while giant animals over 45 kg will must be patient until the age of 18 months.

How much exercise does an adult animal need?

Generally, 30 minutes to 2 hours of daily exercise is sufficient, with a gradual increase in activity intensity.

How do I know if my dog ​​is exercising enough?

Race and age are the two big factors to consider. Do not overdo it. If your 5-month-old puppy has been playing with another dog for half an hour, he does not need to do the scheduled exercise walk. Walking and playing are equal forms of movement. It is the total time that counts.

What are the benefits of exercise?

The main advantage is mental well-being, extension of the good quality of life of the animal, physical exercise, reduction of digestive problems and constipation, reduction of erratic behavior (such as digging, chewing, hyperactivity), socialization and reduction of fear. Many owners find that regular outdoor play and walks reduce their pet's naughty behavior.

What kind of exercise?

• Running: Some breeds of animals are better adapted to running than others. Do not force running on an animal that does not want to follow such rhythms. Running is not recommended at puppy age and before the completion of musculoskeletal development, as we do not know if the joints are damaged due to prolonged exercise or increased stress.

• Swimming: Use a life buoy even for experienced swimmers to help keep their head above water. If an animal does not like water, do not force it. At the end of the activity, dry your dog's ears and thoroughly rinse his body and limbs of sand and seawater. Is it allowed to exercise in mature, advanced animals? Even in older animals, controlled exercise is important. Just do not overdo it