How far is too far

[TOPTON]

As far as walking Milly is concerned, (11 week old lab) how far for walks at this age is too much. I have started doing about a mile and she's certainly not panting when we get back. But I am concerned about maybe bruising her pads or stressing her growing bones if we do too much too early

[pikeyboy]

Its very important with labs to not over exercise them when they are young as they sre a breed prone to bad hips and elbows. As a rule of thumb people say 5 minutes forced exercise per 4 weeks of age. Hard with a young pup but you'll need to mentally exercise it to send it to sleep. Also try not to let it jump or go up or down stairs.

[TOPTON]

Thanks pb, after reading lots on't internet, that seems to be the general concensus. What I don't understand though, what is the difference between forced excercise, ie walking on a lead, to her running around herself with her toys which seems a lot more boisterous and energetic. Although there is no going up/down stairs or jumping on and off chairs etc. Am I suppossed to be stopping her playing/running around so much.

This is a genuine question, not a pick on the wealth of knowledge of pup rearing

[pikeyboy]

I think you limit forced exercise as they have so much energy and mentalist running around of their own accord which you'll never stop.

As an aside i would suggest you get it crate trained.

[TOPTON]

So it would be forced excercise if it is over and above what she would be doing on her own whilst playing. Sort of makes sense.

She does sleep in her crate or cage as we call it. The door is left open all day for her to wander in and out, closed occaisionaly to get her used to being shut in and shut at night to stop her roaming the house. That also to gives the 2 cats some peace, she doesn't run after them but they are very wary at the moment but getting braver by the day.

[Sexual Chocolate]

we never took our lab pup out on walks till it was about 4/5 month old. As someone mentioned they are prone to hip problems.