I know this has been asked a trillion times but usually with largish dogs in mind. The rule of thumb about how far to walk a dog being 5 mins per day per age - would this apply to a small dog like a westie? Mine is 5 months old and 25 mins  per day does not seem very much particulary taking into account all the stopping and sniffing he does, it would take just that time to walk around the block with him, although he is not walking consistantly for 25 mins. At the moment he gets a walk in the morning which is about 20mins, then the dog walker comes in mid morning and takes him for a walk for about 50mins, when I get home I take him for a walk which is of variable length, sometimes 20mins but today I took him for about 1 hour. He was really tired out this evening in a contented way, If he gets less of a walk he tends to be restless and skitty in the evening.

If I should stick to this rule he would get only one walk a day as it would be impossible to split 25 mins in to 2 or 3 walks. Is this OK?

I have to admit my Shih Tzu who is nearly six months would not be content with such short walks either, I do try and occupy him with mentally stimulating things as well because he gets restless between walks.

what mental stimulation do you do with your dog? I am always looking out for ideas, I do all his training exercises with him and he has the cube toys........

Hi June,

I checked my Cairn booklet and the recommendation is until 6 months old a puppy should be allowed to run and play in a fenced garden.  Lead walks are not recommended until they are that age.   Of course, the puppy needs to be on a lead and introduced to the world outside their garden, but no walks as such.

Did I pay attention, of course not, not with any of the three Cairns I've owned. I do not know many breeders who have the time to take their puppies on walks - they have too many dogs. There is a world of difference between a casual walk where a puppy is allowed a lot of stopping and sniffing and a walk where a puppy cannot stop and explore.  Twenty-five minutes of waking a couple of times a day, including stops, is absolutely fine at five months old. 

I would say that a 50 minute or an hour walk is too long for a young puppy.  Even in a Westie, it will be about another month before the bones are almost mature and the growth plates are set.  Long or strenous walks when the bones structure is still forming are not good. 

Stacey

thanks Stacey.