Hi all,

I hope someone is able to give some advice. Our lovely springer Milo is 22 weeks old and loves walkies, however he is our first ever puppy. We hadn't quite realised (I know its bad) that he wasn't meant to go on long walks.

We usually take him out for about 40 minutes but up to 2 hours isn't unusual (Since he was about 19 weeks). We live in a rural area with so many walks and are all outside people. However Milo is quite a puller on the lead and in the fields he gets let off, but his recall which is perfect in the garden is hopeless outside.

He is an extremely active dog always running around and is quite cheeky in the house with picking things up and running off with them. He has his own room and is crate trained, a bit spoilt by the lot of us, but he is fully house trained and has stopped nipping.

What would be the walk time length for a springer Milo's age and do you think we have done any joint damage?

Thank you

I asked the same question, and will try and remember the advice, although someone will be along soon so don't worry.

I was told 5 mins for every month of their life (although someone else said 10). Doesn't seem like a lot does it? But you can also do training etc. And apparently off lead running is best, because Poopie can rest when he needs to, rather than lead walking, where he has to keep up with you.

Now someone will be along to put me right!!

We played it by ear a bit too! But we didn't drag B around on the lead, it was almost all off lead stuff (apart from lead training).

Kate x

We do as Kate says and have followed the 5min/per month rule. Alfie is exactly the same age as yours so we are probably facing the same issues at the same time

This probably isn't enough but as a general rule, we do 20-30 mins of lead walking and 30+mins free running each day. Also do a fair amount of training and mental stimulation at other times. I tend to go by Alfie, i have days when i set out planning to spend at least an hour on free running but thats always the day that he decides he is too tired and doesn't want to play Also if i find that he is getting a bit hyper indoors then we go for a walk

As far as joint problems I have always been told to avoid too much jumping and stairs as this can be the worst culprit.

I am also finding that our general commands are perfect when its just me and Alfie, but as soon as we get to puppy class its all out of the window, must be too many other distractions

Cathy

We've also been told 5 mins for each month, until a year old, so for Milo that would work out as 25/30 mins per day max. We've also been told that it should be 'soft' walking as much as possible to protect joints i.e. on fields rather than pavements.

And most of the threads I've read on the subject have said a very good way to tire an energetic springer pup (most of whom will want far more exercise than they should have!) is to tire their brains out instead - i.e. using training and games. That's supposed to be just as effective as a long walk. So get hiding things in the garden!

Hope that helps.