Bluebird ..whether you agree with John or not ..experience MUST count for a lot surely? If experience was measured in buckets , our John has shed loads of the stuff :) You asked a question , John gave you a polite and considered answer based on literally years of experience.

It is up to you as to whether or not you take that advice.

I have looked through the whole thread and can see nowhere where you have been branded a cruel or uncaring dog owner , all I can see is you asking for advice , people giving you advice and then you being rather abrupt to those people

Melody

Just had a thought Bluebird, Just in case you thought I was calling you Brainless, Brainless is a contributor to this board who has Elkhounds! :) I can understand how it may appear but if you run a search you will find her.

Regards, John

i don't really care if 'John' [imaginative user name by the way] has shedloads of experience as he didn't explain this. if this makes me 'abrupt' by not being told relevant information and having an opinion of my own then so be it. my point being 30mins walk at 6 months of age seems very little to me.
i also have a lifetime [50+ years] of experience and common sense in keeping rescued dogs [from aged 9 months old and upwards]- but this is my first puppy.
i can see that people have not read my posts carefully.
the last dog died of old age recently aged 18, - pretty good given my thoughtless nature?!
i have always used common sense and instinct - if my puppy shows any sign of tiredness i would pick her up! i would have thought all that was obvious.
i also listen to my vet rather than someone breeding dogs for a living [for money].

i also quote from 'john burns BVMS Lic Ac. MRCVS' the developer of Burns pet food who says -
'hip dysplasia, osteochondritis and other skeletal problems have been linked to overfeeding during the earlier stages of growth....high fat and high protein diets cause a fast rate of growth. The joints are not able to form adequately causing loose sockets. The increased weight from muscles and fat further overloads the joints....Calcium supplementation can interfere with the cartilage and bone formation in the rapidly frowing puppy.'

Bluebird - don't be so bitchy!! Its not a user name - its HIS name - and there is no excuse for name calling and being snidey. I have offered advice on another thread and you seemed to appreciate it, whats the difference? :(

Personally, I would be really careful of overwalking your puppy...they can seem to want a lot of exercise, but you can't see the damage from the outside. At least you have a dog small enough to pick up ;) I have danes :Eek:

I wish i could pick me up at times but lifting a 26kg GSD is not much fun.
And as for the food thing, a lot of company's do that sort of thing on the bag to promote their food for gulable people to buy it and believe int it.
Hip probs and such like are mainly caused by over exercising there sog so if you want o do this then go ahead and give your dog lots of running around in the fields and hrs of walking on concrete.

All the best and good luck with giving your dog hip probs

Cordelia

totally agree with you. I comiited the sin of over exercising my border collie due to lack of education. I was told that they needed to go for at least 6 mile runs whilst young moving onwards and upwards. I spent most of my day out in the countryside with Sam i used to take a picnic and plenty of water sometimes i was gone for hours (he was about 18 months old then). Then for no reason he would collapse and i would have to carry him home. So his walks got alot shorter because i could not carry him to far.
I am so thankful to everyone who is advising me about all aspects
of rearing and training a well balanced boxer.

Well not all HD is caused by feeding & incorrect exercise. My boy with the 34:34=68 score was reared on a natural diet & exercised sensibly & still has severe HD, but at least I know I didn't add to it. I do know that the growth plates can be damaged by over exercise as a local basset breeder discovered when a puppy she sent abroad was over exercised & he was damaged for life. I would always err on the side of caution for the dogs sake.

"i don't really care if 'John' [imaginative user name by the way] has shedloads of "

Have to say I stopped taking anything you say seriously after that remark.

Helen with the imaginative username of "Helen"

I have asked a few people about walking times and they all say roughly the same as John says. Monty at 21 weeks gets 30 mins walking each day. Doesnt tire him out in any way but at least I know there is a less likely chance of him getting joint problems as he gets older.

Sam x
P.S couldnt think of anything imaginative as my login name but at least I remember this one :)

I have no imagination either. Thought of blue bottle but no they hover around poo, I like to avoid poo as much as possible. Thought of troll, no to many of those around. Sorry plain old boring me..

Good grief! :rolleyes:
First you rubbish John's good advice, then you mock his name! Whatever next?

I konw Jean they kept his litter brother & sister & they are fine. The dog abroad was walking for miles everyday day from 14 weeks on the advice of a dog trainer there they were told he needed at least two hours everyday road work-totally against the breeders advice. He ended up having operations on his joints. They were & are devastated

i made the mistake with my first GSD now 6yr and she has terrible probs with walking getting in the car going up stairs, i will not make the same mistake with my pup and listen to all the advice give.

Cordelia

Well, now we know. With all Bluebird's knowledge, the question was obviously a windup! She knows it all so had no need to ask. An obvious troll. Well, you caught me Bluebird but you wont catch me again.

From an unoriginal John

for a 50 plus person you are very childish can I say too that John is not a breeder he is a Gundog man/trainer he only has one dog currently who he goes picking up with.But has a mountain of knowledge that a lot of people have been grateful for myself included
Most of the people on here offer their advice and its entirely up to the individual person wether they accept the information or not it certainly looks silly to rubbish a person who is offering advice because it only really backfires on you in the end.
This is an information Forum where we freely exchange our experiences and knowledge but its not written in stone we can all disagree gracefully

Dear John

I'd like to ask how long do you carry on the 5 min per month rule. My lab (also from working lines) potters around the small garden and has a 30 min walk which includes lead training, socialisation and retrieving. Once or twice a week though we go for a longish yomp over the moors and he gets to swim in the reservoirs. Is this ok?

Best wishes and thanks for all your sensible advice
Cathryn