[The Wojo's]

An owner of a pup from our recent litter just told me that he takes her on a 5 mile run almost every day. She, the pup, is around 7 months old and the owner states she really enjoys going out for the run. I understand she is doing fine with it now but could this lead to future issues with joints etc.? It just seems to me a little excessive for a 7 month old to run that far on an almost daily basis.

I did try a search and couldn't find an exact answer to my question.

Thanks,
Michele

 

[Travis R. Bullock]

I would surely not be running a young dog 5 miles a day! At seven months of age this dog is still developing (joints and muscles).

Take Care,

Travis R. Bullock

 

[ASH]

Had a puppy owner who had a problem with his pup limping. Pup was around 6 months old at the time. Owner later tells me that he had been going on 3 hr. walks with his pup since he was 4 MONTHS old. Guy really loves this pup. Didn't realise what he was doing. I'm afraid I got mad. Even after I suggested he restrict the pup's exercise for a while, he was still going on these walks. I told him if he wanted this pup to be walking with him a year from now, he better crate rest him until the limp stopped and then short leash-only walks for a couple of weeks. After that he was to take short off-leash walks which he could gradually lengthen. Told him off good. He thanked me afterwards, saying he didn't realise he was harming the pup.

Anne

 

[flywaylabs]

Dog owners are often "fooled" by the eager pup who will do anything to be out, about and with thier owner.

Labs especially will be happy participants in things that are harmful to a growing body. Their pain threshold is so high that a limp can mean significant joint issues.

Excessive running, repeated jumping, over heating can all affect this pup for the rest of it’s life.

 

[bsballdreamer]

this is a really good post! ive learned a lot from this site. im about to get a pup in 3-4 wks....what is the heathly amount of exercise for a pup versus how old they are? when is it ok to start making the sessions longer?

is swimming better early because its not as much friction?

 

[Bente]

I am no vet, and I have no qualifications to reply to this other than my personal experience (4 dogs' worth)

but I think it depends A LOT on the type of surface you run the dog on.


I would NOT run a dog on concrete sidewalks or even asphalt roads until they are well over a year and even then I wouldn't do it.

But I would run them in the woods on dirt trails STARTING at about 7 months, although not every day.. probably 3-4 days a week at that age.

And I would WORK UP to that mileage over a couple of months.. 5 miles has worked for my dogs none of which has had any joint problems (the first ran until she was 10'ish, died at 12 of cancer, never joint problems, dog two ran until 2 weeks before she died at 10 of complications from myasthenia gravis, no joint problems, third dog is 5 yrs old and OFA good, elbows normal, fourth dog is 18 months old and a good runner).

Finally, I run them in an undeveloped section of land (no roads anywhere) off leash so they can gauge their own pace. I carry water and if they fall behind, I'll slow down to their pace.

Like human athletes, you have to get in condition first before you log those miles.


One should also be VERY concerned about heat exhaustion when the weather warms up, especially with those black dogs..


Bente