how far to walk?

Hi all. im really confused about how long indies walks should be? Shes coming up to 4 months now, and ive heard your meant to do 5 mins for each month? So that would be 20 mins in Indies case. I was told if she goes for too long it can be bad for her bones? Yet indie is still hyper after short walks and only calms down if she has about 40 mins to an hour walk. I do this twice a day Am i going to damage her bones? shes too hyperactive if i go for less

I give Rocky 3, 15 minute walks a day (hes eight months now) and used to give him 2 15 minute walks a day when he was 4 months. He also has the run of the garden where he runs around to wear himself out. He's alllowed to run around the garden as much as he wants because he can rest when he gets tired - but when hes walking he has no choice so thats why they are restricted... hope that helps!

so do you think i should be walking her less? Even though we have a medium sized garden for Indie to play in, she cant really be there unsupervised so doesnt get to go there as much as she would like. The reason for this is i live at my bf's house with his parents and theres all sorts of stuff in the garden for her to get hold of, so i need to watch her.

Do u think i shud cut down her walk time

Hi Jenny

I wasn't made aware of this rule about 5 minutes per month, so Luna got the walks I felt made her tired.

Now I dont know if staffie bones are any different than labrador bones but Luna is now 16 months old and hasn't had any problems. I've been up walking about 45 minutes or more at a time(as a puppy), I just kept an eye on her. And it wasnt full speed ahead, but a nice comfy pace.

not sure if this helps someone i knew had a cavalier puppy about 5 mths and she used to walk miles with him as he had so much energy !!!! I saw him recently and he is now 2 and my god that dogs looks bandy !!!!! not sure if it was the walking or not but his litter sister is fine ..... I think perhaps azz has it about right

Oh what does bandy means?

As well as the five minute rule, its important that your puppy doesn't do the sort of exercise that can be damaging, running up and down stairs which puts strain on the hips going up and the shoulders and elbows coming down, running round doing tight turns at high speed is particularly stressful on young joints.

I know a couple who thought nothing of walking ten miles a day with their puupylab, it had to be PTS at 3 years old with severe joint wear and hip dysplasia, and the vet was quite blunt about what he considered had done the damage.

bow legged ...looked like an old man when he walked

OMG! Well okay I didnt walk that far with Luna.

But I did walk her, but in a very slow pace.

But I really will keep these story in mind when I get my next dog!

well with indies walks.. its usually about 30 - 40 mins a walk twice a day. I have a flexi lead so she can go as fast or slow as she likes.. usually she is running around being crazy.
I am really worried i am over doing it, but a short walk doesnt tire her out.

I dont tend to let her run much on walks and i dont have her jumping up on anything?

perhaps i should cut the walk down by half and then jus deal with it when shes being crazy when we get back?