Amount of Exercise?

[zyppi]

the more you do, the more your dog can do.

Like people, if dog is in shape and raring to go, it's probably ok.

[Kyleigh]

doggie dad ... every waking moment of Ky's life is training ... I don't do "increments" of training ... I incorporate training into every single thing we do (except sleep LOL)

as for socializing ... we are at the dog park (where she does very well, and our dog park is massive) 3-4 times a week ... and she has at least 10 great dog friends that we rotate play dates / hiking, running, etc.

Also, some of the "hiking" days are trips to the city / the market area, etc. so tons of socializing there ... Ky has probably been more socialized than I have!

It seems my question has been answered, and I thank everyone ... I didn't think I was doing anything "wrong" ... but wanted to see how much others do with their dogs.

[RowdyDogs]

I don't remember how old Kyleigh is (and it sounds like she's old enough not to worry), but generally my only caution with regards to exercise is with dogs under 1 year old. Exercise is still good and necessary, but too much or too much high-impact stuff can cause problems later in life, such as early arthritis. They won't always show a problem early, but it can still lead to cumulative damage. For young pups, it's always good to talk to the vet to determine appropriate exercise levels.

With healthy adult dogs, I say go for it! My dogs get what many consider an extreme amount of exercise as well (all-day hikes on weekends, running a few miles a day with me, walks and play and sport training on top of that), and they're all going strong--and if you look at my signature, a few of my dogs are getting up there in years and have been doing it all their lives. My vets always comment that they're some of the youngest-looking old dogs they've ever seen, and the only dog who has a problem with arthritis (and it only flares up in cold, damp weather, which we don't have much of here in Albuquerque) only has a problem with the leg he broke when he was hit by a car, and now he has pins and wires holding it together. Not to say they haven't slowed down from when they were 3 year olds, because they have...but not so much that people who don't live with them notice!

So yeah, I'd say you're doing fine. I'd rather see a dog with a lifestyle like yours than one who goes nuts sitting on the couch all day! As long as you're paying attention and will stop if she gets too tired, you're fine IMO.

[TimberGSD2]

Hmmm people seem astonished when I tell them how much I do with Milla. Now I don't feel it's so much!


We walk/run 3-6 miles everyday
We do obedience of some sort everyday.
We do tracking 3-4 times a week (unless there is snow)
We just enrolled in a pre-req to an agility class which will be once a week
We train with our Schutzhund club 2 times a week
She gets at least an hour play time outside with the other dogs everyday
She goes to daycare once a week
We go on a group run/hike every Saturday morning

Ha I always told people I was normal!

[Kyleigh]

RowdyDogs ... Ky's 19 months ... so not yet an "adult" but well over a year!

I'm glad to see other people doing as much or more with their dogs too ... I figured these were the "heartiest" of dogs that could keep up (heck, I can't keep up with her!) ... so I didn't think I was overdoing it ... nice to know!

[Good_Karma]

My husband and I do a lot with our dogs (though it sounds like you do even more), but I also have learned the hard way that I needed to teach them to get along without the intense daily exercise if necessary. Periodically my husband goes out of town, and on more than one occasion I found myself catering to the dogs' every whim and the second they got restless we were back outside to play or hike or go running. I think I had maybe four hours to myself in the average day. It got to be ridiculous.

So although I have the time and freedom to let my dogs go full speed all day, I refuse to do it lol. I guess if it is something you enjoy doing day after day, then good on you. My feeling would be that it would also be smart to get her used to missing a fully active day once in a while too, in case you get sick or have a crisis.

[Gracie's My Girl]

I think it is awesome that you are able to spend so much time with your dog! If your schedule allows it and your dog enjoys it...I wouldn't worry about what your friend thinks.

I am fortunate that I have a family that works like a team with our GSD. She gets a couple hours to run and play with us each day. She is very good about having days when she is extremely active and having other days when she can't be. In a perfect world, I would consistently be able to do more.

[Kyleigh]

The main reason I can do all of this with her is that I'm single, no kids ... no life LOL I have lots of hobbies, but they are all solitary, and involve no action ... and the last thing I need health wise is a sedentary lifestyle!!

She can be quiet, so on the days when I've had a migraine (which thankfully, isn't that often) she will just mellow with me ... and there's always the backyard with a bone buried in it somewhere to keep her active!

[RowdyDogs]

Originally Posted by Kyleigh

The main reason I can do all of this with her is that I'm single, no kids ... no life LOL I have lots of hobbies, but they are all solitary, and involve no action ... and the last thing I need health wise is a sedentary lifestyle!!

She can be quiet, so on the days when I've had a migraine (which thankfully, isn't that often) she will just mellow with me ... and there's always the backyard with a bone buried in it somewhere to keep her active!

I'm the same way. I really just enjoy doing things with my dogs, and have structured my life around them because of that, so to me it's not work at all. I mean, there are definitely some days that I don't really feel like going out in the cold to take them for a walk, but isn't that true of just about anything? I spend about 4 hours a day just working with my dogs, because I enjoy doing it. Neither my boyfriend nor I want children (or at least not for long enough that I suspect all but our GSD won't be around, sadly enough), and we love how active and involved the dogs keep us.

Mine also do fine with some time off. Mine actually had a week recently with very little exercise, because I was out of town and our excellent pet sitter came down with a bad case of the flu right after we left, so while she still took care of their most basic needs (bless her!), she wasn't exactly taking them for runs! They were a little nuts when I got home, but we didn't have any problems with them getting destructive or crazy.

[Cheyanna]

Good night! You people are couch potatoes. LOL. Fiona doesn't get nearly that much exercise. That is why I am getting a thingy to get her to go along on my bike.


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