For some inexplicable reason, given my general lifestyle and injured husband, I have agreed to do the mighty stride kiltwalk in April, a 26.2mile walk, to raise funds for my youngest's autism school base.

Unfortunately due to hypermobile joints and also having run a half marathon before, I know I need to train or I will horribly injure myself. I'm following a training programme which has me gradually increasing the miles over the weeks.

But I'm wondering to what extent the dogs can join in training...?

Today I did 6 miles, for which I took the older dog 4 miles in a loop which went back to the house, where I dropped him off and picked up the pup and took him 2 miles.

I know the 5 mins per month of age rule, but does speed make a difference? As in could I walk the (9mo) pup 3 miles if we did it in 45minutes? Today we did 2 miles in 45minutes but that was because i stopped at the school to pick the girls up.  If I'd maintained pace it would have taken about 35.

And for the older dog - he's 22mo - is he old enough to just build his miles with me? How far is too far? I don't want to injure him in any way, and I don't want him to do the actual event with me, but could I train with him up to say 15mile walks? At the end of the 4 miles today he was still trotting happily and having to be reminded not to pull. My longest training walk will be about 20-22 miles but by then i am also supposed to be doing regular 7-10 mile walks.

For added info: training calls for one long walk and 2 or 3 faster but much shorter (a third to a half the length of the long one so also building up as we go) walks a week and on their days in between they get around 40-60 minutes off lead doing as much or as little as they please. I'm training on pavement because the event is on pavement but I do have them walk on verge whenever possible. Both dogs are lean and healthy.

What are your thoughts?

Personally I would think your older boy could train with you, getting fitter as you do and getting used to doing more miles. I'm not sure there's any reason why he can't do the full marathon if it's built up to. I know some will be concerned about pavement pounding but it's walking not running so I think the wear and tear will be minimal in a young. fit dog. In a large breed your 9 month old probably hasn't stopped growing yet so you do need to be a lot more careful with him, 3 miles in 45 mins is quite a brisk pace, I'm not sure I'd want a large breed pup doing that.

My lot occasionally do 15 mile walks, over the hills for a pub lunch and back, they're off lead for most of it so probably doing double the mileage and they never have any ill effects afterwards. Before I lost my old collie girl she done the same walk, at 14, and wasn't even stiff the next day. I've got a new puppy now though, well she's 6 months so we won't do that walk again until she's over a year, probably 14 months or so.

> As in could I walk the (9mo) pup 3 miles if we did it in 45minutes?

Most definitely no, you would be doing him harm.

It's more about impact than time, have a time guideline just makes it easier for people to follow.  In 45 minutes, his feet will hit the ground thousands of times, each one putting force through his growing joints.  No, I'd not do it with your pup.

The older one though, yes, you could start training him up.  By his age dogs are competing in various sports so a very long walk shouldn't be an issue providing you build him up to it.

Thanks to all.

Jan I tried a 15minute mile alone and nearly did ME harm so that's definitely off the table for BOTH our sakes.

At the moment I'm walking the older dog as far as I am going minus 2 miles and walking the pup those last 2 miles (without stopping to rest myself so it's a continuous walk).

The only reason I don't want to take the dog to the event is that I don't want to have to worry about him and have to plan his food etc. It's fine to just abandon a training walk if anything happens or he gets too tired but I can't abandon the actual event. My husband won't be able to drive until the end of March following his tendon surgery so I've no cavalry to rescue. In general though I'd like to walk far with him. There's a section of the West highland way I'd like to take my eldest on in the summer and I'd love to take him too.

Training is currently suspended due to 6 inches of snow but both dogs pulled the smaller kids on the sledge (via a padded harness and the pup had me mostly pulling for him) for their exercise today. We only went down our road and back a few times but both kids and dogs absolutely loved it.

I heard walking hours based on a dog's age, breed, size and overall health. Your dog should spend between 30 minutes to two hours on an activity every day. Breeds in the hunting, working, or herding groups will need the most exercise. By knowing the exact breed you will find the best solution.