Am I walking my doodle too much?

[Frankiedoodle]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum but in my short time it has helped me so much. I'm a first time dog owner and have a wonderful 9 week old puppy named Frank. Over the last 2 weeks we have settled into a schedule of going for walks every 3 hours for 30 -40 minutes (1-1.5km each) for a total of 5 walks per day. After reading some posts and a few conversations I'm concerned this is doing more harm than good. How often should a puppy be walked and for how long?

[Jasper'sMomma]

Well I would say only 20 to 30 minutes - total per day. Your puppy can get exercise from play. But walking too much at such a young age probably isn't good for his forming joints and muscles.

My puppy is now 9.5 months old and is healthy and active and we have worked up to longer walks at a faster pace but it just takes time. An we still don't go for longer than 1 hour a day.

I'm sure you will get some other great comments/feedback from the other members, too !!

Btw, you have one cute puppy! An frank is lucky to have such a devoted parent

[M&Tdoodles]

Walking your pup gives your dog so much to learn from at a young age. He is getting used to cars, noises,possibly meeting other dogs and people too along the way affording good socialization opportunities.

Plus he is learning how to properly walk on leash, a fundamental needed skill. ...so ..continue..

As long as you are not running , and you are walking at a nice leisurely pace I wouldn't see this activity as negative but positive.
I congratulate your enthusiasm & energy...

True: Pups shouldn't be running on hard road surfaces at young ages, and this is probably what you were referring to on here, this has been a proven contribution to hip issues when pups are exercised to the "extreme".
Have fun with Frankie..he is a lucky pup.

RI_LABRADOODLES

[Lauren Lou Lou]

Hi ya,

My daughter and I walk our Lauren (8mth) an hour a day, (5mins in am and 5 in pm) we occasionally go for longer 2 hour walk with plenty of breaks, a fair amount of meandering and all in the forest. I have been warned by many that 1 hour is over- walking her and two hours should not happen. We are big walkers, what age is it ok to walk her for longer? She doesn't slow pace or seem to run out of energy! I don't want to hurt her or cause her bone/ligament problems, but we can't wait for the day we can leave the house in the morning and not return til dinner! I was thinking about 2 years old for this type of walk?

[Moe]

There is a rough guideline of 5 minutes per month of age. I'm going to the vet tomorrow, this was on my list of things to ask him. I'll wb when I get a better answer.

[deepnite10]

early on it was more for exercise..now its more for training..
walking on a leash does the most for bonding between your
dog and yourself..

until Toby was 6 mos. old..most of his walks were just around the block, 3 times a day..and a few time s a week id take him to dog park to run around with other dogs..but, i was alway aware not to overwork him..

[Moe]

OK so vet said that 5 min per month thing is an internet myth! He said it is fine to take my 4mo old doodle for up to an hour walk. He said he has never heard of walking effecting dogs hips / legs.

[deepnite10]

an hr a day is nt that much..but, i would nt be doing it all at once..

when Toby was a pup the walks around the block usually lasted about 20 mins..that alone would amount to an hr a day..

though romping around on grass is fine..IMO..walking on hard services can be just as harmful to dogs joints as it is to ours..

and dogs don t have the luxury of $100+ running shoes