After much deliberation, we decided that Alfie will be off lead straight away. He was allowed down last Thursday, and yesterday we let him off for the first time and he was great, never went out of sight and always came back to 'come', although quite often ignored me when I called his name (especially if distracted) and perhaps a little more independent that I'd thought he might be (in respect to the fact that he'd go quite a distance away from us). Anyway, I know I have to be careful about how much exercise he gets, but I'm not really sure what is the right amount. Can someone give me some advice please? At what age is it thought that he can have as much exercise as he wants? Also, should his hearing and eyesight be 100% at his age? Sometimes when I called to him he didn't seem to know quite where I was, I'd have to call his name a few times until he saw me. Thanks.
(Pointer, 13½ weeks)

I would only give a pup of that age about 5-10 minutes, depends a lot on whether he charges around or is just trotting with you. If charging around then one short burst would be more than enough. It is important though as you are obviously aware to get a balance so that he is not suddenly allowed freedom at several months old.

A dog of that size shouldn't have unlimited excercise until they are about a year old, build up gradually, what you want to avoid is fast running, if he is happy to trot and sniff about then no problem.

The coming back will come, work on a recall at home with treats, take your treats out with you in something you can shake when you call him. At 13 weeks he is still such a baby, you can't expect him to understand a recall yet.

Good Luck

Sandra

5-10 minutes per day or at any one time?

Twice a day would not be a problem, as I said it depends on how much he charges around. If you use his leisure time as training time, it will exhaust him a lot more than running him and won't put pressure on his joints.

Have fun
Sandra

hiya

at that age i would not exercise the dog if you have a garden just letting him loose in that with a few toys he'd exercise himself then when he's had enough he'll go rest

before i took him out into the world and let him loose in say the park i'd work on his training as it is not only him you have to watch other dog's may cause more problems at least then if anything happens you can call him out of harms way

depending on breed he will be ready for anything by 18mths then you can run his legs off and he'll be glad for it

good luck

hiya

why do you have to avoid fast running? i only ask as my young pup of 7 months likes to tear after a ball i'm abit worried now that i've done some damage??

Thanks, UKBull but no exercise outside of the garden? He obviously needs to socialise and see lots of sights and sights so you're saying to go out but just keep him on a lead?