i've got a 6 month old Ridgeback,and have been told from the very start not to walk him for more than 10 mins twice a day,i know all about having to protect their legs shoulders etc...but come on 10 mins,if i did that with my pup the house would be "trashed",even playing with a ball or some other toy that's still quite heavy play.so how do you ballance it out?.not to much and not to little.

Hi Johno, To a degree exercise times and routines for pups depends what breed you have got, but no young pup should have enforced exercise.

Johno,

Giving him a toy like a Kong stuffed with some of his food so that he has to work to get it out may help to tire him out without overexercising him

Btw, I love Ridgebacks

Theresa :)

What are the problems that can occur with over-exercising?

Maiko
Over exercising large/giant breed pup's can cause skeletal problems and will almost certainly affect how they grow.
With my breed, pup's shouldn't be over exercised at all, exercise should be kept to a minimum and carefully monitored for around 12mths, they grow practically in front of your eyes and stress on such young, quick growing bones can only be bad.
Nicky

Thanks for the info Nicky :)

What about smaller breeds though? eg. Toy and Small breeds?

They can probably cope with longer walks than the giant breeds but I still would not over exercise my toy dogs as puppies. They are a lot easier to take places though as they are so much easier to carry! When I have a young pup I take it out with the adults but carry it most of the time, just allowing it the occasional short spell on the ground.

Joan
Take the rough with the smooth

Hi, I think the advice of 10 minutes walking a day refers to actually taking him out for walks, especially when on the road/hard surfaces. I would think it is safe to let him play on grass in the garden as much as he wants, as long as he isn't being worn out by trying to keep up with other dogs or being encourage to chase balls etc too much.