I'm sure I'm not alone but need to rant. Just seen a bloke walk up a very steep hill and down another in the opposite direction. If he were to do a circular then I reckon the walk is a few good miles. The bloke had with him what I'd describe as a 12 week old Labrador, really no older than that :-(

Why do people do it, was such a happy soul that he was just following his owner as they often do..

I HATE seeing that! All the vets moan about is bloody neutering and don't pass the correct info that might actually have some difference in a dogs health/life!! I always advise when I see this about the dangers of over-exercising even if it makes me seem like a mad dog-lady!  And I put this info into my puppy packs so no-one getting a puppy from me can say they don't know the dangers!
OK, Off my soapbox now. lol.

I once saw a horrible bloke dragging what looked like a tiny pup-6weeks,or if it was a small breed,a bit older,but he was literally dragging the poor scrap on a lead,along the pavement,not even looking,poor scrap looked terrified.I was on the bus at the time,but I hope someone stopped him.

I come across this often. when wil folk realise it is mental stimulation ie training their dog needs rather than physical!

Like Cracar I don't understand why vets don't discuss the concerns of over exercising as the ideal time would be when a pup goes for it's vacs. Also puppy training, I'm constantly amazed at those who happily talk about the long walks they go for with no advice (that I've heard) from trainers. Two missed opportunities!

Does anyone have any links to studies regarding how much exercise puppies should have? I have not been able to locate any. I am thinking if I can point my puppy buyers and pupils towards a scientific study they might take more notice. Thanks

I hate to see this too, although don't tar all vets with the same brush as after speaking about vaccinations it's was the next thing my vet said to me :)

I have many times taken the opportunity to have a friendly chat with puppy owners, not normally difficult as pups are people magnets anyway lol! I have spoken at length with every single person who has purchased a pup from our two litters about the dangers of over exercising. Even then, when meeting one on one occasion it was obvious they hadn't taken too much notice as our pup was put on her lead as theirs raced with their children up and down steep sand dunes! It was also very icy (beach covered in sheets of ice) so I didn't want our pup slipping! As you can imagine, I used the occasion to reiterate how important it was not to over exercise!

On the other hand, having the opportunity to meet up with puppies & their owners can help them see their where they're perhaps going wrong. One which came back for a walk with us was getting increasingly overweight, and it became obvious during our walk together that she was never let off the lead (pup was about a year old), and the poor dog was so unfit she struggled to keep up with ours! I think the owners went home with renewed vigour and knew that they had to be brave in letting her off lead for a start, also that she was too overweight (compared to my lot) and needed to lose weight! Every conversation with them after that walk centred around socialisation, exercise, and her weight.

If a breeder is lucky enough that the new owners will keep in touch (I know not all do), he/she can have ongoing influence with the raising of the pup they've bred. Of course,  there are those who take the pup at 8 weeks, never get in touch again and don't follow instructions given by the breeder! I expect they're the ones who contact when the pup's 8 months to complain the dog has a joint condition!!