The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: Anke on October 02, 2018, 11:32:17 am

Title: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: Anke on October 02, 2018, 11:32:17 am

I have read a rough calculation that lab puppies should be exercised at about 5mins per months of age per day, so meaning my nearly 4 months old pup should only be getting 20mins of walkies/playing ball/creating general havoc a day…


Is that correct?


Bentley is currently getting about 20mins of walking (with some heel etc training thrown in) in the morning, then (if I can and weather allows) another saunter/playing ball or an excursion to a cafe/garden centre that allows dogs/ or a visit into town etc in the afternoon. (Or we just play ball at home for about 20mins)

He is out for the count just now after his morning walk, so I don't do more in one go, but was wondering if the 5mins/month age thing is valid for a whole year?

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: Maysie on October 02, 2018, 11:36:34 am

I use a very rough guide of '1 minute per week of age' for our Golden Retriever puppy, so we are about the same. 

You don't want to damage their joints, so no jumping off things and using the stairs etc if you can avoid it (appreciate how hard that can be though!!).  They grow SO fast!

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: Anke on October 02, 2018, 11:51:48 am

I got him weighed yesterday (my vets has scales in the waiting room, so I can jut pop in and us them), and he is 12.7kgs at 16 weeks old...

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: SallyintNorth on October 02, 2018, 11:58:11 am

This is all very well, but we need pictures Anke!   :D  :eyelashes: :eyelashes:

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: Buttermilk on October 02, 2018, 03:40:09 pm

I am pleased that you have brought this up as I have a 13 week old german shepherd who has a few 5 minute bursts playing in the yard every day and a short walk to check the sheep every other day.  The sheep walks are due to increase to every day shortly.

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: Buttermilk on October 03, 2018, 07:41:24 am

I have had a Bob a Lot recommended as a food dispenser for mine, it is due to arrive today so we will see.

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: Anke on October 03, 2018, 10:28:49 am

Unfortunately I am already struggling to not get him to pick all sorts of rubbish (stones, leaves, the horse poo that the endurance riders at the weekend kindly left on my drive way and the road…), so encouraging finding his food is not on my agenda at the moment. He gets his exercise and we do a lot of short bursts of training. Maybe a toy with "hidden food" is a better idea, as I can take it away at the end of "thinking" time. I'll have a look what's around.


Just got back from a 15minute walk/bounce about and he is flat out on his cushion! So I can make my cheese! Feels like having a baby again in the house - baby sleeps, so you have an hour to get on with the proper jobs!

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: pgkevet on October 03, 2018, 08:21:30 pm

So long as puppy can adjust the amount of playtime and it's off lead - as opposed to long forced walks or being taken miles and having to walk back home or feeling obligated to keep 'working' while owner does - then I don't agree with limits. For sure there are effects on development if they're pulling or being pulled on leads but if they want to run and play free, crash out and sleep then play again etc I'm happy and so are they.

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: doganjo on October 03, 2018, 08:51:34 pm

Quote from: Anke on October 02, 2018, 11:32:17 am

I have read a rough calculation that lab puppies should be exercised at about 5mins per months of age per day, so meaning my nearly 4 months old pup should only be getting 20mins of walkies/playing ball/creating general havoc a day…


Is that correct?


Bentley is currently getting about 20mins of walking (with some heel etc training thrown in) in the morning, then (if I can and weather allows) another saunter/playing ball or an excursion to a cafe/garden centre that allows dogs/ or a visit into town etc in the afternoon. (Or we just play ball at home for about 20mins)

He is out for the count just now after his morning walk, so I don't do more in one go, but was wondering if the 5mins/month age thing is valid for a whole year?

Yes 5 mins per month of age per day, but a little more of gentle play won't hurt too much.  After 6 months it can be increased to 7/8 mins per month

Title: Re: how much exercise for Lab puppy?
Post by: Dogwalker on October 23, 2018, 06:44:09 am

One game my lab x collie liked was to find his toy, gradually got it so he'd sit / stay in one room while I hid it in another or out in the garden, then 'find it' and bring it back to me for another go.  No food involved and very good training.  There was no way I was going to tire him out, he could've kept going all day.