Walking

[Lovin Hershey]

I know that when they are puppies the target exercise time is 15 minutes for every month old. But, what about for a two year old like my Hershey.
Can you over-exercise them? For instance my husband works nights and will take Hershey for a 3 to 5 mile walk each afternoon. Then towards evening, I will take him for another 3 + miles. Is 8 to 10 miles a day too much for him?

[tangelo53]

I don't think that is too much for your lab..as long as there are no joint problems. I recall my vet telling me one time that labs require approx 8 miles/day energy expenditure....so it seems like you are right on. Especially with the way you are breaking it up.

[Bob Pr.]

I know that when they are puppies the target exercise time is 15 minutes for every month old.* But, what about for a two year old like my Hershey.

15 minute X months' age is NOT the generally accpted amount for puppies.* For puppies up to a year old, the usual recommended amount is 5 minutes for each month of age.

My Puff (YF, AKC, field line, 55 lbs., dob: 8-'01) was somewhat hyper and needed 2 sessions of that amount each day.

I don't think that amount of walking is necessarily too much.*

But learn to "read" your dog.*

For example, if he acts exhausted, it's too much.*

If he acts docile, it's just right.*

If he's continually begging to play or gets destructive when alone because he's bored and not sleeping, it's too little.

[Trickster]

Seems ok to me. Are the walks on or off leash?

I walk round about that amount every day with the dogs but they are off leash and prolly run double the distance I walk.

[Lovin Hershey]

Those walks are on leash.

[Trickster]

Those walks are on leash.

Thats fine for a mature dog. I wouldn't walk a pup on leash for that amount of time but for an adult dog I don't see a problem. As long as he is not slowing down or lagging behind (he should be alert and eager) long walks are excellent for both physical and mental well being.

[Lilprincee]

Wow...Princess get that much in a month. She would drop dead if we walked that much. I wish we were able to do that much walking.