how to you exercise golden retrievers and labradors when they are growing up into adults, i thought though that you had to let the puppies off the lead to get them learning recall! but some people say they shouldnt go off lead til bout 8 months so there bones can grow, im confused!anyone know????

I don't think it's a matter of letting them off the lead its a matter of not walking them on a 2 hour hike. Let them off the lead and play for 10 minutes then back home.

Jesse

oh right i see, its just we lost our 10 month old choc lab, in may she died of pneumonia she had auto immune blood, she got OCD from over exercising so you can understand im nervous about the amount of exercise i should give to a growing puppy!

I believe off lead exercise is very important to young dogs. Keep the period of exercise short. As a rule of thumb, five minutes for every month of the puppy's life so at 10 months you should be building towards 50 minutes. this way the amount of exercise is progressive and the muscles gradually build up to cope.

Regards, John

i let my 17 week GSD off the lead for about 5-10mins for run then she is straight back on the lead and on her way home. I made i mistake with my first GSD she is now 6yr and can no longer go upstairs without resting halfwayhas problems getting in the car.
So i have learnt my lesson and will not let her run for to long. What you also have to think about is how much running around the do at home and in the garden, as in chasing the cat or another dog in the house, or just playing ball. So when it comes to the taking out for walks they don't need much running. Hope that helps a bit :-)

You can teach recall by putting pup on a long lead . He can wonder further away with this and then you can practice recall and if he doesnt come straight back at least you still have control
Lel