5 minute rule

[Teddy19]

Does it apply? I’ve been reading a lot about the 5 minutes walk for every month of age rule, but it doesn’t seem to be a lot.

Our pup is 11 weeks and we’ve been taking him on a couple of walks a day for around 20/25 minutes at a time. The walks are generally slow paced as he does a lot of sniffing and investigating. Generally not a lot of running, and no fetch games whilst we’re out. Will this be too much for him at a young age?

[Gerryjane]

That advice only applies for repetitive movement eg pavement trotting along on lead.
 Puppy stop start running around play is fine. We walk Toby for about 10/15 minutes on lead very locally as a loose lead walking training session or , as today, we walked around the garden centre. The rest of the time we are in open areas and he is off lead as now is the best time to practise recall whilst they automatically stay close to you.

[PaulJ]

We are only “walking” Z up and down road outside house and on driveway for heel and lead work. We take him to public places for socialisation. Exercise happens in garden and house but only as play.  We are more focused on creating bond, drive, a solid recall and even more recall. IMO get the recall embedded while we have the pup’s natural desire to be close. Don’t wanna be that guy standing in field shouting aimlessly at a absconding dog that is self rewarding.

Only from what we have observed so far...less is more at such a young age. As a pup lots of sleep works wonders and after waking pup is in a calm place for training/play. If we can create an unquestionable bond then when Z is more mature he will trust us implicitly and will be more compliant.

That’s the plan so far...anything can happen in the meantime. 

[juju]

When I got Izzy I was told by the vet that it is prolonged walking and running as a pup, especially on hard ground, that can do the damage. Also jumping from beds and stairs is to be avoided. Although it didn't apply to us, I think agility training is usually not recommended for pups either.   

[Barry H]

...
Don’t wanna be that guy standing in field shouting aimlessly at a absconding dog that is self rewarding.
...

Similarly, don't wanna be a Debbie Downer, but good luck with that, mate.  You know and I know it's only a matter of when, not if . 

After the first couple of years, recall training can get pretty tedious!  At 4 years, Jack (show type) is still only about 90% and even then provided there are no distractions and he might even stop for a pee on the way back...  The little beggars know what they can get away with, so entirely my fault for being too lax, though to be fair he no longer strays all that far and less inclined to head for the hills ('cos he's been there, done that and got the T-shirt...)

[IonaD]

Bella is either 100% with recall or 0%. Heaven forbid she smells something or sees something...I have zero hope of getting her attention. I have come to the conclusion instead of shouting like a loon I will just stand patiently and wait (unless I see danger of course).

In terms of the 5 minutes rule...I stuck by it more or less but only because she was my first dog as an adult so I was following all the books. I also tried to avoid the jumping up/down on the furniture and stairs for as long as possible and carried/lifter  her for months until she became unstoppable.