Exercise with 6 month pup

[Newpupmum]

Hi all

 

I’m looking for a bit of advice.

we have a 6 month old border collie pup. We live out in the country and I often go 5k runs out over the fields.

It takes me about 25/30 mins. Can I take the pup with me? I’ve read about the 5 min per month rule but is this too much for the pup?

Thanks in advance all

[Journey]

Yes, it would be a bit much for a 5 mo old. While the time isn't the issue, the distance traveled would be for me. It's very different then just going for a walk for 30 minutes and letting them go at their own pace. 

[diane allen]

What Journey said.  I don't think 5K is a problem at all - but it would be better to be a "stop and sniff" walk.  It's hard on a young dog's joints to run (or trot) that far before growth plates are closed (usually around a year of age).  Good on you for asking!

My pup is just now 6 months old.  He's done a lot of off-leash "hiking" - but it often takes us well over an hour to go two miles (3K). 

diane

[gcv-border]

Agree with the 2 posts above. Do not take a 6 month old with you on your runs until their growth plates are closed. For border collies, that is generally believed to be around 14 months, as a conservative estimate. The problem with running with young dogs before the growth plates are closed is that the repetitive action can negatively affect their joints and possibly set them up for injuries and arthritis later in life. This same rule applies to any repetitive motion - like practicing jumping for agility.

Casual hiking, even if the dog is free-ranging, is much less strenuous on their joints because they moderate their own pace. They walk, trot, stop, sniff, run, stop, walk, etc. You get the idea. I think that there is no problem with allowing a 6 month old pup to 'exercise' for longer than the 5 minutes per month 'rule' as long as it is not repetitive exercise where they are required to maintain a constant pace that 'punishes' the joints before they are ready to take the strain.

I also have a 5 month old, and we get out for about 60-90 minutes of total walk time per day, broken into 3 -4 walks. I allow her to free-range for about half of that time.

[alligande]

A canine conditioning Facebook group I belong to has some heavy hitting specialists in it, and their feeling is that the 5 minutes a month guide is outdated and a pup can do much more BUT it should be on their terms, running sniffing, doing what they want. When your pup is older and the growth plates closed going running with you  will be a fun activity, but right now you would be controlling the pace not the pup.  

[AussieBC]

How the heck does everyone actively stop a border collie pup from running?

If one has an open backyard and lets them loose during morning and evening play, she tears circles around with a rope in her mouth. Never forced and at her own pace. There's no way I could stop her from running around unless she was permanently on a leash for 14 months of her life which doesn't sound fair.

Sorry to hijack - It's quite confusing - but is free running acceptable - she only lasts a few minutes before she's out and has a rest.

[gcv-border]

2 hours ago, AussieBC said:

How the heck does everyone actively stop a border collie pup from running?

If one has an open backyard and lets them loose during morning and evening play, she tears circles around with a rope in her mouth. Never forced and at her own pace. There's no way I could stop her from running around unless she was permanently on a leash for 14 months of her life which doesn't sound fair.

Sorry to hijack - It's quite confusing - but is free running acceptable - she only lasts a few minutes before she's out and has a rest.

Your question was answered above by myself and alligande.  Pups can run around by themselves, at their own pace. The problem is with the constant, repetitive impact exercise at the human's pace that is the problem.  I do watch out if they are playing with another dog to prevent them from overdoing it. But it sounds like your pup is fine since she is moderating her own activity.