Hi.

We have a 5 1/2 month old Goldie puppy who currently is walked twice a day for 25 minutes.  However we are going on holiday this Saturday down to Cornwall,and although she wont be getting serious walks she will be coming with us out and about to the beach etc,we have 2 children so will be in one place of the beach rather than walking the length of it and we have a sun tent which she can use for shade' I am just worried about the exercise amounts as I worry so much about her joints.

I have to say i'd be more concerned about the weather, if it is warm (not even talking hot) I wouldn't be taking a puppy to the beach or out and about in the heat.  I find pups cannot regulate their temperature the same as adult dogs, even with shade i'd be worried.

I'm sure pottering about with you including gentle play with your kids your pup will be fine.

They do say that you should walk a pup 5 mins for each month it is, so that means only 25 mins a day for your pup, not double which is what you're doing.

On top of that they play etc, so i'd be cutting back the amount of leaded walks and try and keep her calm on the beach.. Maybe a bit of swimming in the sea as its non weight baring exercise.
Its the dehydration part i'd be concerned about and also heat exposure...
I think it would depend on how hot it is down there and also how long you anticipate being at the beach.

i am from cornwall and the weather is wet at the mo and should stay the same on and off for the next week,check the beaches you plan to take your dog as most ban dogs now even the ones that used to allow them, i personally would not take the dog to the beach on a hot day,have a lovely holiday
jo

Hi.

Obviously if it is very hot as it has been here we will not have her on the beach maybe just a potter early in the morning rather than coming there with us in the hottest part of the day.

Also in reply to her current exercise we have been told that it is 5 mins per month up to twice a day, this is through our vet,breeder and kennel club website and also members of this forum in response to a previous question I posted.

Hi, we bought one of the beach shelter tents for going to the beach.  Hopeless!  They are so warm under the tent that no-one wanted to go in it and the picnic got ruined.  If your pup is anything like my lot, she'll probably just potter about at the water with the kids.  That's what ours did anyway and we never stayed on the beach during 12-2 so ours had a lovely day.  I think the socialisation of meeting loads of people at the beach is better than 2 road walks anyday.  And the soft sand will be easy on her joints.

Hi,that is exactly what we are hoping she will do,she is very laid back anyway and not really one for running round like a lunatic !! So hopefully she will enjoy splashing in the sea with the kids!! and not much else.

The main thing I would advise is to keep her on the lead for most of the time, and try to sit under some proper shade if possible. Obviously the water will help to keep her cool, but you will need to take plenty of fresh water, as mine always tend to drink the sea water & end up more thirsty as a result.

By all means let her have a run and play with the kids, but be sensible, especially if you've got to walk some distance back to your car/accommodation. You could end up with an overtired puppy if you're not careful.

That said, there's no reason why she shouldn't be included and you all have a wonderful holiday. Lucky you!

> as mine always tend to drink the sea water & end up more thirsty as a result.

And drinking salt water could end up with spectacular squits as well - be warned :) :) :)

Daisy

Oh yes, we've had the spectacular squits after overdosing on the salt water....!!!!