Home  
shadow        

Should You Get
Pet Insurance for
Your Aussie?
Get a FREE quote...
Get a Free Quote Here

Find Us On Facebook

Subscribe
Follow us on RSS,
Twitter and Facebook

RSS Twitter Facebook
 
Dove Cresswell's Puppy & Dog Training Online - Sample Lesson
 

At What Age Is It Safe To Take A Puppy Running?

by Jennifer
(Birmingham, AL )

Hello,
I have a 4 month old Australian Shepherd puppy, Willow. She really wants to run when I take her for walks. I am an avid runner and would love her to go with me as my older dog can only go for very short distances. How old does she need to be before I can take her, how long can she go, and how fast can she go? I read online that puppies in general need to be 1 year old before running as their bones are still growing. I can't imagine holding an active breed like this back for a year, but I don't want to cause long term damage to her.

Sincerely,

Jennifer




Comments for
At What Age Is It Safe To Take A Puppy Running?

Click here to add your own comments

Hmm
by: Camila

Hello there!

Well, the recommended age for a dog for start with strong exercise is a year old. At 4 months old the dog is too small for doing much exercise besides walks, obedience and play. Right now your pup is developing at a really high speed; muscles, bones and joins which you should be really careful of.

You have also need to have in mind that if you start exercising your dog now, progressively your dog will start asking for more and more exercise, longer walks, more intensive runs as they build up resistance in no time; then it is really difficult to get them tired (personal experience, but with a Border Collie).

Bear in mind habituation of the terrain too. Your pup is young and still doesn't know perfectly how concrete can be. Many owners make commit the mistake of taking the dog to run not even knowing if they are ready or not. For example a pup that has only been take for walks outside a couple times, since he doesn't knows the elevation, irregularities, the hardness of the ground, an accident might happen.

I would recommend better to proceed with obedience training when walking the pup out, normal play at home and outside, and wait until a more adequate age for exercising the dog (6 months would be better, but not intense training and start with really low blocks of exercise; ex; first day run 10 minutes until a week of running, second day 15 minutes and so on; anyway the dog will ask you more and more exercise each time they go out.)

Enjoy your dog, remember that they might be with you until they are 12 or even 15 years old. Proceed with training and correct exercise slowly, you have time.

Best of luck!

P.S. Please excuse if my English is not perfect, it isn't my first language.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Australian Shepherd Q & A




TOP of Page

> Return to Home

     

Ultimate Guide to Australian Shepherd Training & Care

  

Questions About Your Australian Shepherd?

Stop Stressful
Problem Behaviors
and Transform Your
Australian Shepherd
into a Model Aussie...

Learn More...
     
     
 
 

Search This Website...
 

Free
Australian
Shepherd
Lovers
Newsletter

-- WOOF!  
Email

Name

Then

Your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it only to send you the newsletter and will NEVER share it with any third party. You can also easily unsubscribe anytime.
 

 
PetAlive Effective Remedies for Pets
 

 
Best Bully Sticks
 

 
Only Natural Pet Store
 

 
Wysong
 

 

Essential Home Guide to Dog Health...
Know How To Take Care of Your Aussie
>> Learn More
The Ultimate Guide To Dog Health
 

 

Ultimate Canine Dog Food Supplement
Andrew with his dog Lewis.
Does Your Dog Need Food Supplements?
Free Dog Food Report
Watch Video by
Veterinarian
Dr. Andrew Jones...
 

 
Dove Cresswell's Puppy and Dog Training Online