Too much exercise???

[Chiefsmom]

We just got back from a weekend getaway in Allegany state park where we took the boys on a few hikes! The first one was yesterday... a three mile mountain hike. Then we did another today that was a five mile mountain hike. Much of the hikes were inclines; and hard exercise. We took water bowls for the boys and plenty of water for breaks! Chief seemed to handle it really well! But now that we're home he's been sleeping for over seven hours. He doesn't appear to be bothered much; but of course.... my wheels are turning! Do you think this was too much exercise for him at the age of 8 months???

 

[Jan]

Probably. They shouldn't have any forced exercise before 18 months of age. They have to keep up with you when you are going for a hike, so that would be considered to be forced exercise. They can't stop for a rest when they normally would.

 

[Chiefsmom]

Thanks!!! He's doing okay today! But I think we'll avoid the long hikes until he's older! I appreciate your reply!

 

[fracerj]

Hmmm got me thinking now ..... I have been taking Isaac for 1 mile walks
with our older Beagle just so he gets use to walking on leash and he's 12 weeks however after a short nap when we got back he was back to his
"oldself" again! You think thats OK?

Middle name of Isaac is Chief after his Dad picture is in Profile

 

[totallyhip]

These are good questions! I was also wondering alot of the same thing. Luke has been walking 3 to 4 miles per day. But he is also 4 years old. We didn't start walking him this much till this spring. He always tries to make us take him on longer walks now It all depends on how hot it is too. Sometimes Luke gets overheated really easily. We take water with us and he drinks lots and sometimes he gets some poured on his back too! or a walk thru a sprinkler.

I know that dogs shouldn't do any strenous exercise (including Agility) till 18 months (as Jan said), as their joints and bones are still forming. Other than forced exercise such as hiking.... What is considered strenous?

We may be getting a 10 month old so she will have to only do the smaller walks until she gets older.

 

[Kerry Jane]

I wouldn't take a puppy on any long walks. A mile might be a bit too long. However, I do take my puppy to the park and we stroll around, sit by the river, watch the ducks, work on some obedience commands etc, but we don't walk continuously for more than a few minutes at a time.
You want to avoid any sort of forced activity when the puppy can't stop to take a breathe and rest when they need to.

Once their growth plates have closed (around 18months) this is not an issue. I think it is better to be safe in this regard, than do to much and have issues down the road.

 

[Chiefsmom]

These are all wonderful questions!!! Great to know! Thanks for all your responses!!! We just played a few rounds of ball fetch today in the yard! It was perfect because when he was tired... he stopped! I see where there was no forced exercise in this activity as with hiking! :eek: Glad to learn this information! You're all the best!

 

[raygur]

I have been wondering about this myself.

Bridget has an insatiable appetite for exercise. She wears me out totally. We always take a morning walk around the block, before I go to work. Then there is the evening walk too. These are leisurely.

We also play (everyday) in the backyard, by her request. I run with an old towel and she jumps to try to grab it from me. She jumps pretty high too. This goes on for about 10 minutes each time.

She always does a few minutes of boxer burns around the yard daily too.

To top it off, she still has has some energy and we take her around the block a couple of times with the bike leash. She is usually pulling me and I don't even pedal!!!!

Is this too much for her at 15 months? I find she has always been extremely high energy and enjoys all of this to satisfy her rambunctiousness.

 

[SILLY6PAK]

It is just like a human. If they are conditioned for the outing then it is fine. You cannot take a normally inactive dog on such a hike and not expect him to have some soreness for a few days.
Mia gets so much exercise that she has special electrolytes put in her water. The dog lives to accompany any runner she can find.