How much exercise?

[Sarah1985]

Theres so many variable to consider in a puppys exercise.

 I live in a small terrace. My mum lives in a huge bungerlow which includes a circlular route round the house. My dogs have been known to charge around there full pelt for a good half an hour and are allowed under the 5 min rule. Whereas a park walk may involve lots of play and very little actual walking but have gone on for up to an hour and have broken the 5 min rule yet is likely to have had less joint impact.

IMO its about firstly making sure you get a health checked puppy and then getting to know your dog and reading the signs of them becoming tired and pushed too  far whilest being mindful of the guidlines. And ensure While they're young control their weight with food limits. Everyone will strike their own balance and it will be interesting to see what becomes later.

Does anyone with old cockers have any experiences of how much exercise impacted on their dogs in old age? It would be interesting to hear from people first hand with had to deal with the dogs in old age

[mooching]

I live in a small terrace. My mum lives in a huge bungerlow which includes a circlular route round the house. My dogs have been known to charge around there full pelt for a good half an hour and are allowed under the 5 min rule. Whereas a park walk may involve lots of play and very little actual walking but have gone on for up to an hour and have broken the 5 min rule yet is likely to have had less joint impact.

My understanding of the 5min rule is that that covers being walked by a person (usually on-lead), not where the puppy/dog is playing or initiating its own exercise.

[Sarah1985]

(usually on-lead), not where the puppy/dog is playing or initiating its own exercise.

So where does off lead in a park with me standing still come into it? I let my puppy dictate her own play whilest socialising with other dogs, In a park, most people would define this as a walk.

 A walk isnt the same for everyone.

In allowing my dog to charge about at my parents (where their house is much bigger) arent I just cheating the rule to enable me to tire the dog out?

Im not trying to say I dont agree with limiting a puppys exercise just that the variables involved from one puppy in terms of their home life exercise is huge. So some people may need to extend the walks sightly but just make sure they build in rest breaks and allow the puppy to dictate the pace

[mooching]

So where does off lead in a park with me standing still come into it? I let my puppy dictate her own play whilest socialising with other dogs, In a park, most people would define this as a walk.

I'm just saying what my vet said - that the 5min rule is for "hard" walking, where you follow a route, and the pup goes because that's where you're going, and where you set the pace. She wouldn't include what you've described (or the exercising your pup at your parents' house), just the bit to and from the park (and round it, if the pup is on the lead).

 

[LandS]

I have also always meant it to mean on lead "hard walking"

I say this because our odler cocker had a serious back injury and his recoup has meant increasing his walking by five minutes a day.. not the time in the garden but the walking on the lead. I would think therefore its the same thing with a puppy..

Play in the garden, in the field as much as they want, its the time spent "hard walking"   Or so I have always felt

[Sarafina]

Does anyone with old cockers have any experiences of how much exercise impacted on their dogs in old age? It would be interesting to hear from people first hand with had to deal with the dogs in old age

I would also love to hear from people with older cockers, about their experiences
Also, in general: how much exercise is recommend for adult cockers?

[mooching]

As it is now, I take her out: morning when she wakes up for 5-10 mins for her to do her thing, lunchtime maybe 20-30 mins, evening 1 hour (will cut down on that one) and nighttime around 8 pm for 5-10 mins. 4 times per day, is that enough?

How about increasing the length of her first walk to 30 mins or so? Similarly with her last walk of the day? That way, even if you cut down that third walk, she will still be getting the same amount of exercise overall per day (or even a little bit more), just spread out more evenly.

[Sarafina]

How about increasing the length of her first walk to 30 mins or so? Similarly with her last walk of the day? That way, even if you cut down that third walk, she will still be getting the same amount of exercise overall per day (or even a little bit more), just spread out more evenly.

Very good idea! But (haha) in the morning at 7.30, I am usually in a rush to go to work (I know, I should really be getting up earlier, but...) or to tired. I will try and increase the lenght of the last walk.

But, I have to admit, in my personal opinion, I prefer to have one longer walk (that way that is "done with"), and the other walks a bit shorter just so she can do her thing. But I realise it would be better for the dog to spread it out more 

[Pip895]

[I prefer to have one longer walk (that way that is "done with"), and the other walks a bit shorter just so she can do her thing. But I realise it would be better for the dog to spread it out more 

I have to admit to feeling the same - we tend to do 1 "good" walk a day  - Im very lucky though - Saffi has free access to 2 acres of garden/paddock for the rest.  The second "walk" tends to be replaced by some ball play/retrieval training etc.

When Saffi was younger the 5 min rule used to really frustrate me - it takes about 6-7 min of on road walk to get to the forest where we could let her off lead - we would just get there just in time to turn round and come back, so there was always a temptation to stay out a bit longer.  I don't think it was too much of a problem though - Saffi spent plenty of time resting her legs (lying on her back asking everyone we met to tickle her tummy!)

[Holly Berry]

I know how difficult it is to take them out for longer than a short time before going to work, but have you thought about getting some interactive toys that she could play with whilst you are getting ready or cooking the dinner.

You may consider something like these http://www.nina-ottosson.com/PRODUCTS.htm.

[mooching]

Very good idea! But (haha) in the morning at 7.30, I am usually in a rush to go to work (I know, I should really be getting up earlier, but...) or to tired. I will try and increase the lenght of the last walk.

The thing is, you've posted elsewhere that after this little walk she has, you put her in her "den" and go to work (and she has started to run away when you call her because she knows this is happening). With a longer walk before you leave her, she may well be more tired and easier to settle. Just think, she has just had a long night's sleep, has had her energy levels renewed, and something to eat - she may well really benefit from you getting up just 15 mins earlier and giving her a longer walk first thing.

[fizzyntiffy]

Deleted    waffling again 

[vixen]

But, I have to admit, in my personal opinion, I prefer to have one longer walk (that way that is "done with"), and the other walks a bit shorter just so she can do her thing.

I do find this statement a little sad.  It is almost as though you see a dog walk as a chore.
I get great pleasure taking my dogs out and the more I take them out, the more they respond and bond with me. It may be an effort to do more walks but once you are out it is SO enjoyable.  The more you do with your dog, the more you get out of them

[Karma]

Very good idea! But (haha) in the morning at 7.30, I am usually in a rush to go to work (I know, I should really be getting up earlier, but...) or to tired. I will try and increase the lenght of the last walk.

The thing is, you've posted elsewhere that after this little walk she has, you put her in her "den" and go to work (and she has started to run away when you call her because she knows this is happening). With a longer walk before you leave her, she may well be more tired and easier to settle. Just think, she has just had a long night's sleep, has had her energy levels renewed, and something to eat - she may well really benefit from you getting up just 15 mins earlier and giving her a longer walk first thing.

I have to say I agree with this.... I'm most definately NOT a morning person, and having always worked shifts I was very used to taking the opportunity to lie in until midday on late shifts... but when we got Honey I knew that would have to change....
When she was 7 months old I was getting up at about 6am, to spend some quiet time with her (as this helped stop her asking to get up even earlier!!!), taking her out for her 30-40min walk, having breakfast on return and then doing 5-10 mins clicker training with her before I left for work... this meant she was always happy to be left alone, and now looks forward to the cues for being left....

The couple of occasions recently I've had to go out very first thing before her walk, she really isn't happy to be left at all (these have been for doctors appointments, and she's had a quick 5 mins out, and this is only leaving her for 30 mins or so, but the repsonse when we get back makes it clear she really hasn't relaxed at all... very different from normal).  

Growing up we had dogs who were quite happy to get up, spend breakfast with us and then be left and wait till we got home from school before a walk... but they weren't Cocker Spaniels....  

Please don't think I'm having a go - but if you could add even 15 mins to that morning walk, and work in some time for clicker training, you might find you have a much more responsive, focussed and biddable dog - a real benefit as you are entering the teenage months!!!  

[Sarafina]

Very good idea! But (haha) in the morning at 7.30, I am usually in a rush to go to work (I know, I should really be getting up earlier, but...) or to tired. I will try and increase the lenght of the last walk.

The thing is, you've posted elsewhere that after this little walk she has, you put her in her "den" and go to work (and she has started to run away when you call her because she knows this is happening). With a longer walk before you leave her, she may well be more tired and easier to settle. Just think, she has just had a long night's sleep, has had her energy levels renewed, and something to eat - she may well really benefit from you getting up just 15 mins earlier and giving her a longer walk first thing.

Thats right, BUT: she is not in her den all day when I am at work. Usually around lunchtime, a family member comes to see her and take her for a walk, perhaps about 30-45 minutes and play with her. But you are very right, a longer walk in the early morning would be much better. Because, as you say, she has slept all night, only to get up for about 30 mins for breakfast and a short walk, then she has to go to the den again for about 3 hours.