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Subject: How far to run?

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Dwight

Ratterific

09/03/2007 10:47 PM
Debated on which forum to post this and decided on this one.... We've adopted a 4 month old Ratty a week or so ago. What I've been doing is taking him for walks on the leash and getting him used to that and also having him on the leash and getting him to run and trot along side me when I ride my bicycle. He has a lot of fun doing this and is always hyper and really energized afterward. So far I have been going for about 10-15 minutes, between a mile and mile and a half on the bicycle and calling it quits for fear that any farther may be too far for him to be running. Is there a such thing as running him too much? So far with the distances we've gone he has been fine and is always wanting and happy to go again. I just don't want to overdo it, he is still a puppy.

rattytatty

Newbie

09/03/2007 11:01 PM
Dwight... good for you for being cautious. A dog's growth plates don't close until they are 12-16 months of age. In agility, dogs are not allowed to compete until 15 months of age. With Bailey, I had him x-rayed at one year of age to assure his growth plates were closed before we started jumping the 12-inch height jumps. I did not wish to risk injury. I honestly would not do anymore than what you are doing, and I'm not sure I would do even that every day... maybe a few times a week at most. Playing fetch in the yard on grass would be much easier on him. It's smart to exercise him and this is a fun way to exercise BOTH of you! But... I'm assuming you are riding on concrete which is harder on any dog than running on grass, of course. It's important to remember that, although most puppies have lots of energy, their bodies are immature and not ready for exercise that causes sharp or repetitious impact during the first year. Once you are sure the growth plates are closed... have at it!

Dwight

Ratterific

09/04/2007 9:52 AM
Thanks for the information. I think from now on I'll just stick with walking him and lay off the bicycle until spring. I sure don't want to harm this little guy. For his running, he'll just have to stick with playing fetch and running around the yard like a crazy man for now

buttonbutt

Newbie

09/04/2007 11:13 AM
Thanks for posting about the growth plates, Nora. I honestly didn't know all that. Nice to have an expert in such things on the board.

rattytatty

Newbie

09/04/2007 11:46 AM
Peggy... I'm FAR from being an expert ! Just something I happened to learn along the way, is all. Dwight.. your little one does need to be exericsed of course. If you have a treadmill, that would also be a good way to burn off some of the excess energy and wouldn't be as hard on him! (just a suggestion!)

Dwight

Ratterific

09/04/2007 7:57 PM
Posted By rattytatty on 09/04/2007 11:46 AM Dwight.. your little one does need to be exericsed of course. If you have a treadmill, that would also be a good way to burn off some of the excess energy and wouldn't be as hard on him! (just a suggestion!) I wish we had a treadmill Right now for exercise Bud gets a walk in the morning and a walk in the evening, each one lasting about 45 minutes or so. During the day he also gets a couple 5-10 minute sessions of training with the sit, stay, down, come commands. I don't do those much longer because I don't want to stress him out. And add to that his hour or so of fetching the balls and frisbees, as well. I'm surprised that little guy can keep going at times

rattytatty

Newbie

09/04/2007 8:16 PM
5-10 minute sessions are PLENTY... and you're smart not to overdo. Puppies don't have great long attention spans and it's easy for them to become unfocused... Sounds like he's getting plenty of exercise.

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