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Borderline cruelty? (serious question)

2K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Rouen 
#1 ·
Murray is 11 months, extremely confident, highly curious, and like all pups has BOUNDLESS energy. Let me again repeat, BOUNDLESS energy.

I'll take him on vigorous walks about 4 times during the week and multiple times on weekends (3 plus miles).

He doesn't get much dog on dog or pup on pup play unfortunately.

I have been running him up and down our street (me on bicycle) which flat and approximately 1/5 of a mile one way.

He always initiates lead and does not seem to tire out, like ever!! I'll take him up and down the street 6-8 times.

How much is too much vigorous exercise for a pup? What signals do I look for that would signify fatigue or exhaustion?

Getting all that "monkey energy" burned through vigorous exercise has been making him a more pleasant and enjoyable dog.

Thoughts?
 
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#3 ·
No, that's not cruel. I was always told you don't want to FORCE the exercise before a year old (and yours is almost there anyway) or do a lot of jumping/agility work so their joints can grow properly. So if your dog is ready to stop, don't make him keep going.

My aussie was a VERY active pup and I would take her on trail rides through the woods up to around five miles. I stopped at five because even though she still wanted to go, I don't think I've ever seen my dog want to stop even if she was dead tired, she wouldn't show it.

After that year hump though I built up her endurance and we went further and faster with almost no limit! (a month after her 1 year birthday we went on a 10 mile bike ride and she was still ready to go, crazy dog)
 
#4 ·
A well-exercised dog is a happy dog haha ;)

When we got Kasper at 9 months old we were walking him 4 hours off-lead walking a day. The only time I saw him tired was when we'd walked with other dogs the whole time, and he'd been charging about playing like a loon :D

We did give him a little less exercise as he got older, simply because he didn't need it. We moved house and the new walks were very hilly; he now gets 2.5 - 3 hours off-lead exercise a day, and this works for him on top of play and training.

I think whatever works for your dog, really. As long as when he gets back from a walk he's not absolutely exhausted and doesn't move for anything for the rest of the day, then it's fine and you haven't given him too much :)

If anyone you know has a playful dog too, letting Murray play with them will really help tire him quickly! Playing with other dogs has always worked the best for Kasper - he used to be best buddies with two whippets, and 20 minutes running with them would tire him enough to go straight back home! :rolleyes:

Red
 
#5 ·
Not even close to cruel :)

More cruel would be providing no outlet at all for that energy.

Consider working in some mental games/tasks as well after the physical exercise. Sometimes, thinking a lot can drain a dog.

That way he can get both the physical stimulation he craves with some mental stimulation to further drain his energy and exercise his mind.
 
#8 ·
Point well taken, I usually run with him at night and the temp is usually cool as I live by the ocean.

Regarding joints, he does have stubby legs and a fairly long torso BUT he absolutely loves these vigorous runs. It's almost as if he's smiling when he's running with me!
 
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