I'm trying to convince my dad that taking their 7mth old cocker spaniel for a 3 mile walk every day is too much.

The walks comprise of 1/2mile on the pavement and the rest on the fields by the canal. Bearing in mind my dad isn't very good on his feet and walks very slowly I still think this is too much for Ebony. The walk takes about 2hrs, I told you he was slow!, and Ebony never seems tired when she gets back.

How much excercise should she be having at this age? And how do I tactfully tell my dad he's walking her too far!! :)

Thanks,

Fiona

Hi Fiona

Yes 3 miles is a bit too far for a 7 month pup - some pups are fully grown by then but others still have a way to go & it's never advisable to over-exercise a pup that is not fully mature. Is she on or off-lead by the way? If she's off-lead, she'll be getting even more than 3 miles exercise as Cockers are generally busy running about hither & thither when not on the lead. I would say 30-40 mins exercise a couple of times a day is ample for a puppy this age - when she's older & fully mature, then your Dad can increase the distance.

Jane

Hi Jane,

I thought it was too far, but have you ever tried telling your dad he's wrong?? /ebony is always walked on an extending lead as she keeps falling in the canal and getting filthy!!

Fiona

Hi Fiona

If your Dad is anything like mine, I don't fancy your chances :-)

Jane

I think the worst problem is the half mile on the pavement, as I beleive this can effect the joints much more than walking on grass.

Lindsay

Hi Lindsay

I don't think the half-mile pavement walk is too much of a problem for a nearly fully-grown Cocker - I frequently walk older Cocker pups this distance when I walk them round our village for socialisation & have not experienced any joint problems, but I don't combine this with a further 2 1/2 miles running about in the fields -even if it is on an extending lead as in this case :-)

Jane

dont think going in the canal is too good either if its anything like our canals they are full of horrible things including dead animals etc..and some parts of the canal have steep bankings and the dogs cant get out.
I find apart from walking pups too far somepeople walk their oldies too far forgetting they are getting old,I remember some years ago doing our usual walk with my labs and my ten year old lab she lay down and refused to budge I had to go home for the car I just hadnt realised she was getting tired.