There is loads of talk everywhere about limiting puppy on lead exercise but I want to know if the pup playing in the garden with me has to be limited as well, or factored into the daily allowance? Silly me, with having adults of this breed who are of an age now forgot how playful they can be and didn't even picture my new baby doing more than lounging in the garden!!

It is the on lead walking which is restricted to 5 mins per month age, garden play provided it wasn't long sessions of repetitive exercise will be fine.

Remember brain exercise tires them out quicker than physical and can help them wind down quietly at the end of the day.

Ah good, good. He does love a gallop around the garden so I was getting worried it could have been damaging.

funny how you forget,isnt it?Im going to have to ask(again)how many weeks after a season,a bitch can be spayed-i know its ten or twelve weeks,but from start or finish?hopeless!

I don't quite understand this as from what I've read its to do with bones etc not being strong/mature so I'm not understanding why running and playing in garden.or other dogs is fine but lead walks limited, I'd have thought the latter would be harder on the bones etc than lead walk. Could someone explain it a bit more? I'm really enjoying reading on this forum, lots of very helpful and interesting topics.

Lynne

> I'm not understanding why running and playing in garden.or other dogs is fine but lead walks limited, I'd have thought the latter would be harder on the bones etc than lead walk.

Too much play does need to be curtailed, and or controlled, lest it become too silly but this type of play is usually done in short bursts and is followed by rest - and most pups won't take on more they can manage.  On lead walking is very tiring for puppies who shouldn't be asked to exercise for extended periods.  Pavement pounding is particularly stressful to young joints and of course lead walking also requires a young pup to concentrate for an extended period which adds to the fatigue!  Many owners can easily get carried away with a walk not realising the damage that can be done - the five minute rule does at least go some way to ensuring they limit the distance and duration.

Don't forget it's also important to watch jumping too - up and down stairs, on and off furniture, in and out of the car etc.  Some dogs should also be prevented from fast cornering too, even in the garden - I had a pup who would mis time his exit and skim the tree and another who could skin his paws if he cornered on the paving stones.  We also had a family greyhound that could never make it around the corner of the house without scraping herself, she never learn't to slow down and we had to make sure the gate stayed in place so she had to stop before walking back inside :)

When you are out lead walking a pup it is pounding on the pavement/underfoot surface repeatedly over and over, this can interfere with the growth plates in the long bones as everything is still very soft and open to damage.

In the garden the pup will run a bit, stop and look around to see what they can get up to next.

If the pup was constantly bouncing off the walls/ fence over and over then that wouldn't be good, nor would constantly throwing a ball etc. for the pup to fetch back, playing in the garden should be relaxed and non regimented.

>Im going to have to ask(again)how many weeks after a season,a bitch can be spayed-i know its ten or twelve weeks,but from start or finish?hopeless!

Three months from the end of the season, as long as there are no signs of phantom pregnancy.

bless you,jean genie!

Thank you Rhodach and dogsababe that is much clearer now and I can see the logic. Will stick to that when I.get my pup next year hopefully!