How far to walk a puppy?
Discussion
So my WCS can go out for walkies next week (Monday). I have heard that 5 mins walking is enough at her age (10 weeks) however she piles around the garden (3/4 acre) at full pelt for longer than that and doesn't seem to get tired. Can I walk her a bit longer than 5 mins as I really think that 5 mins won't even tire her out one bit. I need some peace from her. Bloody mental are these cocker spaniel things.
Walking about 10-15mins at a time at that age is fine..
The difference between walking and letting her pelt around the garden is that walking is "forced" and thats when damage to joints can occur (if overdone..)
Whereas letting them run around off lead they can and will stop when they have had enough
The difference between walking and letting her pelt around the garden is that walking is "forced" and thats when damage to joints can occur (if overdone..)
Whereas letting them run around off lead they can and will stop when they have had enough
Her recall is good Bex, well, it is in the garden. There is, however, a lot more distractions in the big scarey world outside of the walls so it might be a bit different in reality 
BTW is it normal for a dog to retrieve and then drop the ball at another dogs feet rather than the person throwing said ball?
BTW is it normal for a dog to retrieve and then drop the ball at another dogs feet rather than the person throwing said ball?
Sexual Chocolate said:
...the big scarey world outside of the walls...
Take advantage of that to get her started off the lead before she gets too used to it and more confident. If she's nervous her tendency will be to stick close to you. If you can get her to understand that it's her job to know where you are and not the other way around (even though you will be watching) you've cracked it. Try running away (in an obvious way) or hidding behind bushes. There'll be alarm when she misses you so step into view and praise when she comes. Later stay hidden 'till she comes searching with huge amounts of praise when she finds you. Searching and finding is natural to her so making it you she's looking for shouldn't be too hard and preferable to going off on the scent trail of any passing wildlife.Leave it untill after a few weeks of lead walking and she'll be a lot more used to the big bad world and you'll have a harder job.
AdiT said:
Take advantage of that to get her started off the lead before she gets too used to it and more confident. If she's nervous her tendency will be to stick close to you. If you can get her to understand that it's her job to know where you are and not the other way around (even though you will be watching) you've cracked it. Try running away (in an obvious way) or hidding behind bushes. There'll be alarm when she misses you so step into view and praise when she comes. Later stay hidden 'till she comes searching with huge amounts of praise when she finds you. Searching and finding is natural to her so making it you she's looking for shouldn't be too hard and preferable to going off on the scent trail of any passing wildlife.
Leave it untill after a few weeks of lead walking and she'll be a lot more used to the big bad world and you'll have a harder job.
Normally the hiding thing would work however she will be getting walked with our other dog so it probably won't work as expected as she will more than likley go over to the lab. She loves that lab, follows him everywhere. Leave it untill after a few weeks of lead walking and she'll be a lot more used to the big bad world and you'll have a harder job.
Muby, our lab is crap at fetch as well and gives you that look of "You threw it, you bloody wll fetch it. I am off to go sniff this dogs arse.".
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