Running with pup!

Meeka · 11-26-2012, 12:11 AM

How soon can I run w/my pup? My husband took Meeka out for a 4 mile run and she did great! But his brother just told us its not good to run her now because she's still too young and is still growing. She's 17 weeks right now.

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marshies · 11-26-2012, 12:14 AM

I think 4 miles is a bit much for a 17 week old puppy on leash.
I started my dog with 1 hour long walks at that time, and built slowly. I started running her when she was almost a year old, and started at 2 KM (which is around a mile).

The main worry I had was that she would be over-exerting herself, and be too excited to run to figure out that it was beyond what her body should be doing. Luckily, I have since discovered she's great at self regulating, and will let me know by trying to block my way.

Angelina03 · 11-26-2012, 07:19 PM

I think 17 weeks is much too young! My vet told me not to take Rocco on any sustained run (especially on leash and hard surfaces) until he was fully grown because it can damage their still soft cartilidges and cause problems later on. Mild running off leash (so the puppy can stop when needed) and other forms of exercising/playing (tug-a-war) is the best way to develop their stamina and muscles.

doggiedad · 11-26-2012, 07:53 PM

i wouldn't run my 4 month old pup 4 miles. i would let my dog/pup
develope a little before running or jumping him.
what's the rush to run?

wolfstraum · 11-26-2012, 09:12 PM

Over 25 years ago I got a 6 month old Great Dane....took her out when I worked my horse every day...by 6 years old she was showing arthritis...she lived to be 14, but was stiff for over half her life....

Pups should be exercised lightly and not run until they are over a year, I prefer closer to two before you do extended runs with them

Lee

Meeka · 11-27-2012, 09:19 PM

Thanks everyone! I was thinking the same thing but my hubby is so eager to have her as his running partner :/ she was so tired when she came back but still wanted to play! I will definitely take the advice of keeping it light for her

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Freddy · 11-27-2012, 09:33 PM

might want to keep an eye on her pads too. Years ago I had a high energy pup and the time to walk her multiple times a day. Walking on sidewalks in a new neighborhood (maybe the texture of the new concrete was more pronounced) she wore through her pads and a couple of her feet bled.

11-26-2012, 12:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Meeka Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 98	Running with pup! How soon can I run w/my pup? My husband took Meeka out for a 4 mile run and she did great! But his brother just told us its not good to run her now because she's still too young and is still growing. She's 17 weeks right now. Sent from my iPhone using PG Free

11-26-2012, 12:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
marshies Elite Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,490	I think 4 miles is a bit much for a 17 week old puppy on leash. I started my dog with 1 hour long walks at that time, and built slowly. I started running her when she was almost a year old, and started at 2 KM (which is around a mile). The main worry I had was that she would be over-exerting herself, and be too excited to run to figure out that it was beyond what her body should be doing. Luckily, I have since discovered she's great at self regulating, and will let me know by trying to block my way. __________________ Amaretto von Huerta Hof -Adventures and Dog Product Reviews-

11-26-2012, 07:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Angelina03 Master Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 940	I think 17 weeks is much too young! My vet told me not to take Rocco on any sustained run (especially on leash and hard surfaces) until he was fully grown because it can damage their still soft cartilidges and cause problems later on. Mild running off leash (so the puppy can stop when needed) and other forms of exercising/playing (tug-a-war) is the best way to develop their stamina and muscles. __________________ Angela_______________________________ Danny (husband) ~ Samantha (daughter) ~ Rocco (GSD) Lucky (cat) ~ Beauty (cat) ~ MuMu (cat)

11-26-2012, 07:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
doggiedad Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jenkintown,Pa. Posts: 12,722	i wouldn't run my 4 month old pup 4 miles. i would let my dog/pup develope a little before running or jumping him. what's the rush to run? __________________ "Life Without A Dog Is A Life Unfulfilled"

11-26-2012, 09:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
wolfstraum Crowned Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: PA Posts: 8,217	Over 25 years ago I got a 6 month old Great Dane....took her out when I worked my horse every day...by 6 years old she was showing arthritis...she lived to be 14, but was stiff for over half her life.... Pups should be exercised lightly and not run until they are over a year, I prefer closer to two before you do extended runs with them Lee __________________ Csabre Sch1, Hexe Sch2, Bengal, Komet, Kyra, Kira & Kougar v Wolfstraum ~ - Danger Sch1 SAR - ATB~ Kougar Sch3, Kyra Sch3, Cito Sch2, Alice Sch1, Kelsey CD, Ret ~ Basha Sch3, Fenja Sch3 wolfstraum.net

11-27-2012, 09:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
Meeka Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 98	Thanks everyone! I was thinking the same thing but my hubby is so eager to have her as his running partner :/ she was so tired when she came back but still wanted to play! I will definitely take the advice of keeping it light for her Sent from my iPhone using PG Free

11-27-2012, 09:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Freddy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: KC, MO Posts: 431	might want to keep an eye on her pads too. Years ago I had a high energy pup and the time to walk her multiple times a day. Walking on sidewalks in a new neighborhood (maybe the texture of the new concrete was more pronounced) she wore through her pads and a couple of her feet bled.

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