How Many Walks?

[betastorm]

I was talking to my friend today, she has a 12 week old Westie.  She was saying that she takes her for one walk a day for about 40 mins.  I was saying about the 5 mins for each month rule, which she hadn't heard about, and said maybe that was too much.   The thing is she then said is it like ONE 15 min walk for a 12 week pup a day or just 15 mins for EACH walk they have, ie 15 mins in the morning and 15 mins in the evening?

I felt it was 15 mins each walk but said I'd check with you lot.

Wendy

ps.  At what age can you just let them go for however long they and you fancy?

[Curtisio]

We walk Kyro for 20mis AM and 20 mins PM, 5mins for every month at nearly 8 months this seems to be plenty for him. In the books we have got it says at about 12 - 18 months the cocker can take much more exercise but increase it gradually...

40mins seems a lot fot 12 weeks, when Kyro was about 14 weeks week started adding a little to his walks and he would just stop and lie down when he had had enough  

[Dessie]

After 12 months I let my Pups have the same exercise as the Adult Dogs. Which is 30 mintues in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening during the winter.  Weekends we go out for 1 1/2 hours, but in the Spring/Summer 30 minutes in the morning and anything from 1 hour to 2 hours in the evening.

When I have a puppy I don't really walk it until he is 6 months old, this was something that my Breeder had always told me about I had never heard of the 5 minutes per month of the Puppies Life rule before.

HTH

[Cob-Web]

When I have a puppy I don't really walk it until he is 6 months old

My breeder recommended this as well; but my vet and the dog trainers disagreed -as they said it was important for the pup to learn to walk on leash and free run off leash in different environments early on, but to restrict it for the first 18 months   in the case of Cockers. The vet went on to say that all breeds are different and depends on the breed size and what they may be predisposed to later in life - Westies may be totally different to Cockers    

[speedyjaney]

Hi There

We have a cocker and a westie and the westie breeder advised us not to overdo the walks until she was 9 to 12 months. We didnt get any advice on walks for the cocker from her breeder but we had read the 5 mins a month rule on COL so applied that to the both  

Occasionally they did get a longer walk but maybe only 3 times from 13 weeks to 12 months so I dont think that would have harmed them.

Now at 16/17 months each we walk for as long as WE want to walk. They do still get tired tho after a very long walk and slooowwww down massively but we dont count the minutes anymore...

Cheers

Jane

[Sue H]

Some breeds mature earlier than others, and their bones are set and capable of taking more exercise than other breeds of the same age ....

Some unfortunate owners take to heart the limited information they are given by their breeders - some time ago we had a lovely 7 month old Great Dane dog admitted to the Centre - he was completely under-socialised however, as his owners had been told not to take him out at all until he was at least 12 months old, and had despaired of trying to keep him in their garage when he was climbing the walls !!!  (I loved him to pieces and he is now living very happily with another GD somewhere in Somerset!!).

Generally, the larger the breed, the slower they mature, and the longer it is before they are truly an adult.  Conversely, the larger pedigree breeds live for a lesser time than most cross-breeds!!

It is difficult to gauge walking times, especially when you have an older Cocker, with whom your younger pup just can't wait to rag around ...  The best thing is not to go for a structured walk (ie from A to but to go somewhere where they can have a walk and then play, which is quite close to either home or to where you have parked the car!!  You can then judge when they (or the little one) has had enough, and if necessary put them on their lead whilst you continue to play with the older one until they are happy to quit!!

[Michele]

Conversely, the larger pedigree breeds live for a lesser time than most cross-breeds!!
 

and smaller pedigree breeds too.

[Dessie]

When I have a puppy I don't really walk it until he is 6 months old

My breeder recommended this as well; but my vet and the dog trainers disagreed -as they said it was important for the pup to learn to walk on leash and free run off leash in different environments early on, but to restrict it for the first 18 months   in the case of Cockers. The vet went on to say that all breeds are different and depends on the breed size and what they may be predisposed to later in life - Westies may be totally different to Cockers  

My pups are always socialised from as soon as they can go outside as they go to Puppy Training and they might have a little run on the beach with the others.  When I say I don't walk them until they are 6 months old I mean they are not taken out with my others for a walk.

[betastorm]

Thanks for all your replies.   I have passed the info onto her and am also keeping it in mind for our pup.

Can I also check on peoples opinion on what age to let them 'off lead' and how you are supposed to go about it?

I have a friend with a Cocker and she was told to let him off lead straight away.  Her breeder said that they are like children and will stick with mum.  She obviously has never met children like mine.  Not too sure what is best.

Wendy

[Curtisio]

We let Kyro off the lead about 2 months after we brought him home, but obviously just around the park. So he was 22 weeks then...

 As our dog school lady says 'They'll come back, because you give them their food'    

[Magic Star]

Hi Wendy

Re the letting of the leash, I was very nervous of doing this when Indie was a small puppy, we went on a meet with some other COL'ers and Daftcockers (susan) coaxed me around to letting her off, she reassured that Indie would stick close by and she was right  

Best thing I ever did was to let her off that day!  

[Laura]

Mine both were off lead from day 1  but I think this one depends on the individual puppy.  Both my boys were confidant pups and are not easily spooked - I knew the chances of them running in fear were slim.  My friend has a dalmation pup that freaked the first time it was off lead and ran and ran oblivious to its owner - ran all the way home over 2 roads she got him back safely and then concentrated on building his confidence up first.  He was back off lead in a very short time - but only when the field was quiet - any time of doubt or a new distraction - he went back on lead, just in case he bolted again.  Now at 6 months he is no bother at all.

Large tennis courts or any other enclosed area that feels open are a great way to test the water if in any sort of doubt.

[Magic Star]

Large tennis courts or any other enclosed area that feels open are a great way to test the water if in any sort of doubt.

  Thats a very good idea!

[betastorm]

Large tennis courts or any other enclosed area that feels open are a great way to test the water if in any sort of doubt.

Thats a very good idea!

That is indeed.  

There are some local tennis courts, I think I will have a go at that when the time comes.  I can then pop to my friends for coffee as her back gate is next to the tennis courts.

Wendy

[suki1964]

I let mine off the lead on their first walk out. Obviously not along the road, but once we got to the park

My experience has been that they wont go far - maybe a few yards- before they get nervous and come running back. I take the oppotunity to give lots of praise and a treat so as they do get older they learn that coming back is a good thing. Although saying that i think Alfie has just hit his teens and is learning to cock a deafen so its back to basics for us atm