barry581 (01-23-2018), MysticFallout (01-24-2018), SunDance (01-23-2018), Tanya (01-23-2018)
2.5 miles of leashed walking for a 14 week old is a lot of forced, repetitive motion in my opinion. Labs are a breed prone to dysplasia. Even if the parents have had their hips/elbows graded by OFA as passing (fair, good, or excellent), too much, too soon with a growing puppy can negatively affect their orthopedics. I think plenty of well-meaning pet owners are the cause of their dogs’ joint problems. Maybe read up on appropriate exercise for medium-large breed dogs. Labs’ growth plates are still open often until 18 months. If you’ve neutered/spayed early, it can also affect joint health. Here’s one resource regarding puppy exercise. https://www.puppyculture.com/new-exercise-chart.html There are plenty of things to read online.
I allow my dogs plenty of free play as puppies but leashed walking at 14 weeks is short and sweet and more about reinforcing good walking manners. An intense mental workout as you ask your young puppy to heel/follow/turn/sit for 100 yards is just as exhausting to them as walking for miles and miles, if your concern is tiring a puppy out. At 14 weeks my puppies are getting short, intense training sessions, short walks, plenty of free play in the yard with me. Definitely no long walks, no jumping for frisbees, and I don’t neuter until around 2 (dogs I’m showing are not neutered at all).
barry581 (01-23-2018), MysticFallout (01-24-2018), SunDance (01-23-2018), Tanya (01-23-2018)
Yes it ends. Gigi used to pick up every nasty stuff on the side of road. She is 2 now and rarely picks up stuff. Leave it is very important.
I remember spreadin g the floor with cookies and working on leave it with treats only from my hand.
That is alot of walking for a puppy. Gigi is now close to 2 and now runs 3 to 4 miles while I bike or walk 4 to 5 miles a day. She us older I am slowing building her and my strength .For summer hiking and jogging.
I remember alot of play time at that age.then anything forced. Even running was off leash in the woods when I jog .
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Last edited by silverfz; 01-23-2018 at 07:29 PM.
Seeing as I don't have a fenced yard, the dog park is off limits for now would a 30' check cord be enough for him to run and play without the walk? I know a place I can take him that SHOULD be stick free even though I have a muzzle for that purpose coming soon. Sorry, I just want what's best for him and had no idea that I could be putting him at risk with the walking.
do you have friends or family with friendly dogs you can meet up with? What about puppy play dates at local dog school? These would help on socialisation and exercise.
yes a long line and a harness (not a collar, a well fitted harness) can work well too. let him explore and bounce around.
Ivy
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You check if u have a Petco near by. They have a free puppy social.30 minutes where he can play with other pups. When gigi was a pup. It was a free for all. But now in the new method. They only put 2 dogs of similar temperment . The trainer will move the dog around. Free once a week.
Join meetup.com and find puppy social .I see alot of them. Either people with other pups or u can start one. U might have to pay few bucks if u start one.
Call dog training center near by and that usually have monitored puppy play. Near my house an hr on Saturday runs for 8 bucks.
Start training. I did at 12 weeks and 2 sessions of 15 minutes of sit and stay will make him more tired.
I also don't have a fenced in yard but at rhe age they are glued to you so I would take get off leash hiking in the woods and backyard.
I just added a invisible fence . Best 2 hr of labour and 100 bucks even though gigi is getting used it .
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