Starting a Pup Off

[shaunpauls7 131]

well said poacher3161

[Wild_and_Irish 11]

Thanks for the replies,

 

My main concern was walking too far, too young.

 

I will be hopefully getting a 6-8 week old pup, so as soon as it is jabbed up I will be taking it out for walking and socialising etc.

 

Most of the walking will be tarmac and then over some fields and hills etc at weekends.

 

How much walking would be too much for a young pup on tarmac? 1 hour a day too much?

 

My lurcher gets walked every night, about 4 miles in 1 hour approx, all tarmac.

 

Is it a myth that walking a pup too much can hinder development?

 

Thanks

 

Gaz

It's no myth, the muscles end up growing way to quick which stops the bones developing right (bowed legs). A friend of mine brought his fox hound pups in after a bit of exercise one day and noticed the legs were startin to bow so he had to buy some specialist thing that was full of calcium so the bones could catch up.

Edited March 11, 2010 by Wild_and_Irish

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Thanks Wild_and_Irish, thats what i had heard.

 

Is it best to keep walks to 10 or 20 mins when young then? And start walking more at 6 months or so?

 

Gaz

[Water Badger 26]

so how far and how regualy should i walk my beddy whip 16 weeks at moment? then when should i increase distance and duration? i know there will be no set answer but what do others do?

then onto another subject what is going to give him best nutriants protiens etc?

[Hannah4181 260]

The cream was my suggestion and it does not soften the pads, all it does is relieve the irritation from nettle stings until the pup is older and his pads harden naturally. I have always used this method, know hundreds of others that do and my dogs have great feet. It generally is only ever needed a few times anyway whilst they are tiny. The reason i first used it was after having a puppy scratch at the carpet and his bedding after a walk so much, he ended up with blisters all over his pads.

 

 

In terms of exercise for a small puppy, for me it is more important to teach it about life and socialise it than wear it out with exercise. From very tiny just have it everywhere you go wherever possible. My puppies are taken everywhere to get used to all different situations, dogs, stock, vehicles, crowds, kids, and anything else along the way. After its jabs at about 3 months get it out for short trots with you and the older dog, half an hour a couple of times a day, let it see water, run on fields, around stock, again as many different environments as possible. Start training from day 1, sit, and recall are the first things i teach, lots of play sessions, meaty tit bit rewards and fuss. Stock breaking would also be done very young, and meeting tons of other dogs, cats, people etc etc.

 

Retrieve training and stay etc would come next and as it gets older all thsi would combine with longer walks and different places. I also never have a young puppy on a lead, at very young puppies are naturally scared and will stick to you for confidence, it is IMO the best time to teach recall and healing. The older it gets the further it will stray. I will add that i live very rurally and so can do this safetly without worry about traffic etc. Obviously a lead is a must in build up areas.

 

By 5/6 months you should have a confident puppy listening to you and doing the basics, i would increase exercise slowly and as the pup develops increase the level of training. By a year old you will hopefully have a well grounded, steady puppy, confident in all situations with good manners and an excellent level of obidence.

 

Everyone does it differently but the above method has always worked for me, and my lurcher pup just coming up 2 years old now is as steady as a rock, will cross london on the underground without a lead no problem. Best of luck with your pup.

[Water Badger 26]

nice one Hannah thanks for all that i will go and rest after all that reading!!

[waidmann 105]

good sense written

[Mikebee 7]

Good stuff iv just got a 14week old lurcher. What about jumping then whens the time to get them hopping stuff.

keep the advice coming

 

Mikebee

Edited March 11, 2010 by Mikebee

[Water Badger 26]

only from what i have read but they say putting boards in doorways and increacing the height make sure you tell other members of the house as it can get messy!!!

[Hannah4181 260]

The boards in the door way is an effective way, i tend to wait till they are older, 7/8 months and start them over small logs, sheep netting and move on to bigger stuff. Never tried the boards up method but it makes perfect sense.

[sam007 34]

I have a Beddy whippet and the most important thing is that YOU

remember they are babies do not try TOO much TOO soon some can take more

than others ;some learn quicker than others, some mature quicker than others,

some like mine are juvenile deliquents longer than others

In other words there are no hard and fast rules each dog is an individual

and you have got to learn about your dog.

One fairly common thing about beddy x's they are nearly all headstrong

and patience is vital.

Cheers

Sam

[thewindcallsmyname. 3]

well i got a pup 10 months now she been out a few time nothing much but her second time out stright up the lamp now the other night she was only go half way up the lamp why is this??? and she collie grey x collie whippet grey.

[Mikebee 7]

i know for some logs so il give it a crack

Sound

 

Mike

[Trigger 26]

The younger you start a dog of the better, i start mine out as soon as i get them at 8-9 weeks old. As long as a pup as a good balanced diet plenty of excersise will not hurt them in any way as it promotes growth hormones.

[Gaz_1989 9,539]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

And especially thanks to Hannah.

 

Some great advice there, will take it all.

 

Cheers

 

Gaz