I am a new owner, with an eight weeks old black bitch. The (highly reputable) breeder stressed that she should not be exercised any more than her curiosity takes her until nine months old, when bones will have started hardening, because excess exercise will increase the risk of hip trouble. Is this generally accepted... and how do I know whatis 'excess' : I don;t want her to become overweight... and I rather like of long walks in the country...

Finn Marriage

(RSMARRIAGE@AOL.COM or thereeldeal@easynet.co.uk

Hi

Yes the breeder was correct, it is very important that a puppy does not have too much exercise, approx 20 minutes, twice a day is adequate, then increase this gradually.

Also jumping and climbing stairs is also not recommended, at least for the first 12 months (I actually put up a stair gate at the bottom of the stairs to stop my Retriever from going up the stairs, this is due to the bones still growing especially the hips on labs/retrievers.

Hope this helps

Hi,

I didn't know to restrict the exercise for a puppy. Two years ago my dobe ruptured her cruciate ligament, a very nasty injury. She took a long time to recover, but even then would never put her paw fully on the ground, it was always as if it were being rested. She eventually suffered from arthritis in the joint. But she managed, although she was stiff if she ran around too much. Sadly she died on boxing day, and I am searching for a dobe puppy. As it is some time since I have owned a puppy any more hints would be greatly appreciated.

Jaffa

what breed?

It was a Dobermann that ruptured her cruciate and I will be getting another Dobermann puppy.

Think the guest's pup might be a labrador.
If so with my pups I let them exercise themselves in the garden only for the first 6 months. The playing they do in the garden and the pottering around they do is enough. Let the pup rest when she wants to. Other than the play in the garden you will need to take her out and about to socialise her with people, other animals and get her used to the sight and sounds she needs to get used to, to grow into a confident happy dog.
After 6 mths of age mine get 10 minutes of free running in the morning. This should not include having other larger dogs bouncing all over her!
Then 10 minutes of lead exercise in the afternoon.
From 9 mths I gradually increase this, until at 12 months you can give a labrador(if indeed it is a labrador) almost as much exercise as you like. Try getting out the door without her :D

Other labrador people like John/Mattie probably do things a little different and they are sure to be on in the next few days.

My Newf pup tends to tear about the house as much as she needs , and plays fetch.We take her out every other day to the wreck in front of our hse ( 2 mins away) so she gets used to noise/other people and the lead~but she has about 5 mins of just "mouching" around and practising coming when called.We dont do it everyday,roughly every other day.
The lead walk is only 50 yards or less ~ but gives her a nice taster!
zoe xx

EVEN THOUGH YOUR BREEDER WAS RIGHT FROM MY EXSPERIENCE IF THERE GOING TO GET HIP TROUBLE THEY WILL. IM THE OWNER OF A 9 MONTH OLD GERMAN SHEPARD I WAS ALSO TOLD NOT TO DO ALOT OF EXERCISE UNTILL HE WAS 12 MONTHS OLD BUT ALREADY HE HAS HIP AND ELBOW DYSPLASIA EVEN THOUGH HE HAS ONLY DONE VERY SHORT WALKS AND HAS NEVER BEEN OF THE LEAD. SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN EXERCISING YOUS ALEX BRACKLEY

Alex , thank you for taking the time to reply on several threads :) Could I ask that you take Caps Lock off though please ..on the internet it is often thought that you are shouting if you reply completely in capital letters :)

Thanks
Melody