How much is "too much" with a pup?

[walleyemkr]

How much is "too much" when it comes to walking / exercising a pup? I have a 9 week old yellow lab pup and in the last week or so we have been taking DAILY walks through the woods for an hour, give or take. Nearly all of it is on trail, essentially never bounding through the thick stuff. I have read opinions that too much "forced exercise" on a pup can potentially set up joint problems in the future, but, the obvious question is "how much is TOO much?". He seems to love this nightly excursion, but I'd hate to be setting him up for discomfort / problems in the future... Any opinions on this topic? Thanks much.

[LABS4ME]

The type of exercise you're talking about will not hurt the pups joints. Walk him as much as he can take. If he is really dragging, you over did it. You will actually strengthen his bones with this exercise.

You damage the joint by jumping, (don't let pups jump out of your truck), or continuous high speed running, when the bones are soft. If the joint has an obvious defect, it will show up at an earlier date, but in my mind that is a good thing. The exercise will not actually cause it, but rather make it show clinically earlier.

Good Luck!

Ken

[walleyemkr]

Thanks LABS4ME... Exactly the info I was looking for! Highly appreciated.

[setterguy]

I did over do it with my pup when she was about 5 months old. We were in canada and it was her first time on grouse. Well she proceeded to point about 15-20 right out of the truck. I was so pumped I just kept hunting her, turns out she tore some cartildge in her shoulder and the vet told me that with young dogs you have to limit the vigorous excersize. We were in the woods for almost 7 hours....I was just having so much fun watching her point bird after bird but it was a 900.00 mistake. Luckily she doesn't have any lingering affects from my stupidity. Good luck with the new pup.

[Powerstroke]

Like you've heard, the major thing to avoid is taking you pup on your 5mile jog and haing them run alongside your afternoon bike-ride. That kind of pounding, especially on pavement, is bad for young joints.

I have a 5month old springer and his energy is off the charts. If he doens't get 2 walks a day he gets antsy and mischievious. Walks are the key. Go slow. I let mine run in the weeds and fields around my house, but I don't force him to hunt in rough cover. We have a good time and I can tell when he's ready for a drink and a nap.

By the way, good for you for walking your dog.

[walleyemkr]

Again, thanks to all contributors for the advice through your experiences... From what I gather, an hour or so WALK will do more good than potential harm. I really let him dictate the pace, which also appears key. Similar to what Powerstroke said about his pup, if Tucker doesn't get at least that hour of activity in, it makes for quite the long night for me - he's quite the little terror if he's not worn out a bit. Thanks again for this and any future advice given.