Hiking

[Jake's Mom]

Hi. I'm not sure this is the correct place to put this post, so if not let me know!

I have an 8 1/2 week old. We've already started taking very short walks (1/4-1/3 mile--I think, I haven't actually measured it) through our woods. The terrain is mostly flat, with a shallow descent into the creek bottom, across the creek (dry right now), and then back up the other side.

Jake is tired when we are done, but not exhausted. He loves some parts of it and seems timid on the ascent. Am I taking him too far to start? I carried him part way the first time because he seemed tired. It is taking us 15-20 minutes. So we are walking very slowly! It takes a lot of time to sniff all those new smells.

Also what distances are ok for this age? And how much can I add each week or each month? We want to have fun and get exercise, not crash the poor puppy!

Many thanks for any help!

[sprzybyl]

Jake's Mom,
I am not sure about the specifics at that age, but I think that you are doing fine. If you are giving him opportunity to take breaks if/ when he needs them, you don't have to worry about the "too much". Especially considering this isn't pavement and you aren't running him.

i know other people will chim in, maybe with more reassuring specifics

[Jake's Mom]

Sarah,

Thanks for the input.