Hi All,

My Cavalier boy is finally allowed out having had his last lot of jabs 2 weeks ago. He is 4 months old (unfortunately we only got him aged 3 and a bit months so he was late for his jabs etc..):rolleyes:

I would like to start walking him in our local park and at the beach, does anyone know how long he is allowed to walk at this age?
Also should i train him on the lead before i let him off?

We live on a small island and unfortunately puppy classes are few and far between so we are waiting for them to run again!!

Also we have introduced his collar but only when we are around, should he be now wearing it all the time even if we are out?

Sorry for all the questions!!
xx

I think we only walked ours about half a mile at most at that age. Just build the time up very gradually. I would let him off immediately while he is still a bit unsure, the theory is that he learns to stay close to you then. Mind you, my boy was awful at coming back for many months, he is so friendly he just wanted to run to everyone. I developed sharp eyes for spotting dogs he could or couldn't run off to!

No reason why he shouldn't wear a collar all the time if he is an only dog - we had to stop ours wearing collars in the house when we got the new puppy as she ripped them off over the other dogs' heads and chewed them, and we had visions of strangled dogs!! You could invest in a rolled leather one if you don't want the flattened hair at the neck that the regular collars will tend to cause, but they are more expensive. :-)

I think he needs to be wearing his collar and ID tag with your name etc, on it by law.

I for one do not like long dogs wearing their wide collars when they are off lead running for fear of them breaking their necks if they roll on the run, so ours always wears a thin rolled collar just for the ID.

Enjoy your pup and make walks fun, not a chore and you won't have any problems.

I use clip buckle collars for my dogs - I don't like them wearing them in the house a) because of the potential for accident when they're playing, and b) for the potential for accident if one's having a nosy and gets the tags caught in something.  That would be true of an only dog too, if I only had one it wouldn't have a collar indoors.

I use the clip collars for ease of use - no other reason - when three big dogs are bouncing around to go out it's a heck of a lot easier to just clip'n'go :D

Hi, no one has answered the time factor question, so i'll tell you what i do and recomend to my puppy owners, the 5 min rule!
5 mins for every month that they are old so 3 mths = 15 mins.i do this up to 9 mths of age then pretty much ad hock after that ,being small dogs i think thats ok but i think large and giant breeds have to be even more careful about the amount of excersise. i do avoid very hilly places too as its a strain on muscles and joints, not too much stairs
or steps either!
hope this helps a bit
Pauline
just a point of interest, i'm a Guernsey girl !

LOL   I am guessing Alderney!
Karen

You really have to weight up the opposign risks of ahvinbg collars onor off.

Mine always have their collars on.  I live on a busy main road and there is probably only 8 feet from my front door to my kitchen door where dogs are most often.  Only needs two people coming into teh house with the frotn door wtill open while living room door opened.

Indeed, I've never lived on a very busy road and I live by myself now so it's not so much of a worry.  But when I lived with my Dad and brother (who is terminally dim with regards to dogs), my brother left the front door open while he was working outside once - the hall door was shut, but he knew darn well his own dog could open it.

Thankfully perfect timing meant me and Dad got back home from an errand just as Remy wandered out onto the road in front of a (luckily slow-driving) car. :rolleyes:  Having no collar on was an issue then, as it meant we had nothing to grab hold of - I had to carry Remy back to the front door :p

Legally your dog has to have a collar and ID on in all public areas, it's up to you if you keep it on in the house.  We used to untill we ended up two dogs playing and one got his jaw twisted in the others collar.  After that experiance they never wear collars in the house, only when going for a run because they have to.

As someone said obey the 5 min rule to start with.  You don't want to over do any exercise with a puppy.

Thanks for all your replies.

We took him out for a little walk on his lead and he refused to walk!!!:rolleyes: He decided that whilst his lead was on hi would crawl on the ground on his belly , it was hilarious but after a while we took him back and he happily bounded round our garden!!??

I think it is obviously because he isn't used to wearing his lead and maybe it was a bit strange for him being outside.

I am really worried about letting him off the lead in case he runs off and doesn't come back or just runs into a road...any advice?

oh we live in Guernsey!!

>>>Hi, no one has answered the time factor question, so i'll tell you what i do and recomend to my puppy owners, the 5 min rule!<<<<

snap-the 5 minute per month of age rule

Hooray to Guernsey. ;-) Will you join the Guernsey kennel club?
Karen

If you're really worried about him running off you could try a long line. Search the forum for 'long line'. You'll see loads of posts on training recalls using them with tasty treats, toys and games. He'll have a sense of freedom but you'll have the security of the line. If you decide to try one make sure you use a harness with the long line and you might want some gloves for you.

Do you practice walking around the garden with your puppy on his lead? You can start by letting a light lead trail on the ground and get him to follow you around by using little treats. When he's used to walking with you pick up the end of the lead and continue using the treats to make walking with you fun and pleasant. Practice in the garden so he can get used to lead walking where he feels safe. When a dog is on a lead they can't run away from things that frighten them so I think it can take a little getting used to for puppies.

I would not let him free yet  unless you are sure he is in a safe enclosed area. Cavaliers by there nature ,are everyones freind and can and will run off after or to birds, dogs, children. butterflies. etc. They have no sense of danger and we have to think for them .In time he may pick up commands and become more aware of you but as yet the world is an adventure so an extender lead would be a good idea. Have fun with him. 

Thanks will try walking around the garden a bit more then see how he is.

I didn't know there was a kennel club in Guernsey.....?

yep they do....used to be called Guernsey dog club [ site still is !]
http://www.guernseydogclub.org.gg/
Pauline

I wouldn't let him run free either.  Whilst he's in the house and you are around attach the lead to his collar and let him walk around with it on.  He'll soon get used to it.