Walking

[pud1954]

Hello I  was wondering what the answer to this query may be... What is more tiring for dogs on lead or off lead?

[piph]

I don't really know the answer,  but I would suspect on lead.  Off lead they can stop and start as they feel the need.

[Ninasmum]

Offlead because the distance travelled is so much more when they have the freedom to roam/explore 

[Bella & Poppy]

Off lead most definately..............when walking on lead they walk same distance as me, if they walk off lead they go mental and run miles more

[piph]

Off lead most definately..............when walking on lead they walk same distance as me, if they walk off lead they go mental and run miles more

Offlead because the distance travelled is so much more when they have the freedom to roam/explore 

If you think off lead, then why are lead walks restricted to 5 mins per month of age for puppies, but they can run around the garden all day long?  That was the reason that I guessed 'on lead'

[Bella & Poppy]

Thats a very good point and honestly dont know, lol

However in my experience my two definately get more tired when we have been off lead.  15 minutes on a lead doesnt make a difference, however 15 minutes running around a field/garden constantly will.  A 15 minute walk for me might be a mile on a lead, off a lead i will still walk a mile but they will run more; back and two.....

Again, this is in my opinion

[piph]

Thats a very good point and honestly dont know, lol

However in my experience my two definately get more tired when we have been off lead.  15 minutes on a lead doesnt make a difference, however 15 minutes running around a field/garden constantly will.  A 15 minute walk for me might be a mile on a lead, off a lead i will still walk a mile but they will run more; back and two.....

Again, this is in my opinion

Yes, I suppose the question was 'what is more tiring'?  I agree with what you say.  I know the restriction on walking a puppy is so that you don't damage their joints, so maybe it's the continuous walking at the same pace with no stopping that could do that, rather than the stop/start/running backwards and forwards that they do off lead and in the garden.

[black taz]

definately off lead, particularly cockers as they tend to "work" as they run.  Sniffing, finding and following a scent is all brain work for them so tired them out mentally as well (in my opinion).

[piph]

Ok, so I was wrong! So sue me!!!!  

[pud1954]

oops what have I started :0)

[lindseyp]

I think the limits on lead walking time in young pups, is the repetitiveness of the step/pace & effect on growing bones    Off lead walking or play is always more along the lines of stop/start/run/lay/roll in fox poo      run/stop/lay/run etc etc

I would say it's not about the quantity but the quality of the walk - you could walk your (adult) dog  X amount of miles every day with no signs of tiredness at the end - this is because you dog is just getting fitter & fitter  - throw some brain training work into your routine & you'll soon see the difference in tiredness afterwards   

[Pip895]

Ok, so I was wrong! So sue me!!!!  

You could actually be right - if they pull like a train!! When I was looking after a couple of not very well lead trained springer's for a couple of weeks, I am sure it held for them.  It certainly wore me out pretty fast!

Anyway I always took it that the 5 min rule was for on or off lead walking - Saffi would have gone all day as a pup if I had walked to new exciting places with her - in the garden she also ran round like a loon but not for that long - so no danger of her pushing herself too far and damaging herself.

[piph]

Ok, so I was wrong! So sue me!!!!  

You could actually be right - if they pull like a train!! When I was looking after a couple of not very well lead trained springer's for a couple of weeks, I am sure it held for them.  It certainly wore me out pretty fast!

Anyway I always took it that the 5 min rule was for on or off lead walking - Saffi would have gone all day as a pup if I had walked to new exciting places with her - in the garden she also ran round like a loon but not for that long - so no danger of her pushing herself too far and damaging herself.

Ozzy pulls like a train on the lead, so I'm blaming him