How far is too far for a pup to walk? Oscar will be 11 weeks when he first starts going out , he is a lab. I walk to my daughters schools in the morning one is about 5 mins away the other 0.7 miles through fields and countryside and then back would this be too far for him . We have a dog park would 3 small walks a day be better ?

What will he be walking on? You're not supposed to take young labs for walks on concrete or pavement b/c it can really damage their joints at such a young age. Likewise, they shouldn't walk up stairs until they're about 6 months. Also, you may find out that your lab will not want to walk so far -- you may end up carrying him on the way home! Our lab puppy bounced off the walls he was so full of energy, but when we started taking him on walks, he cried when he got too far from home and we had to carry him.

Probably to the school and back would be enough. Certainly not the .7 mile walk until he's much older.

Wendy

Agree with Wendy. Also, three very short walks are much better than one slightly longer one, especially for teaching good manners on the lead. "Practice makes Perfect".

Monty's Mum :)

PS. Be prepared for a 5 min walk to take anything up to 20 mins with a puppy in tow!! :D

I always tell people not to walk a medium/large breed longer than about 10-15 mins round the block, preferably on grass and to slowly extend the walks so that a full hours walk is not done until the dog is at least 9 months old. We have beardies and the pups are always kept to mini walks and not allowed to race around, chase balls or do a lot of trotting on the road, until they are 9 months old.

I definately agree with the others and it can cause joint problems. There is a thought now that things like HD (Hip Dysplasia) can be bought on by environmental pressure as well as hereditary (sorry can't spell - :) ).

Manda (the new girl)
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