Walk time calculation?

[Clodagh]

Was speaking to a friend who has a lab pup, hes about 12 weeks now. He is having three 45 minute walks, with ball throwing, a day. I said that was way too much but she said in her 'puppy pack' it recommended 3 long walks!
I seem to remember some formula, like age in weeks x minutes or something that you could use as a guide? Does anyone know it as I don't want to come over unnecessarily bossy and would prefer to pass on someone elses info!
Thanks

 

[sisco]

Think it might be 5 mins for every month of age, thats what we did with our pup.

 

[The Original Kao]

I think it was 5 minutes for each month of their age.

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/helpful-hints.html

 

[CorvusCorax]

Whoah, whoah, whoah, that is waaaay too much walking they need to stop that now or the dog will be broken very soon.
The pup doesn't even need to be 'walked', just to be taught lead manners, car sense and get out and about, free running and play is pretty much all they need at that age.
I know people who walked a 12 week pup a few miles a day on the road and it's elbows were screwed to the extent that it had to be PTS at 12 months.

 

[Clodagh]

5 mins per month, thats what I was thinking of.
Poor little chap, she came to ask me because yesterday apparently he refused to go at all - I hope he doesn't hurt already.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd say it's likely

 

[lexiedhb]

Blimey! thats a shed load of walking for a baby dog! may have been the weather putting him off yesterday!

 

[Clodagh]

Hope it was the weather! Can you give pups joint supplements? Our adult lab has joint aid, I wonder if pups can have it...goes to read label...yes it can.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I would also just cut all structured exercise for now, stick to brain training etc.
No sliding about on slippery floors, no jumping on and off the furniture and in and out of the car until 12 months.
Feeding will also have a bearing - dry puppy foods with rocket-fuel levels of protein which promote fast growth are not good.
Three long walks for an ADULT dog, jeez, why do people follow 'rules' blindly and not use common sense, you wouldn't expect a toddler to go run a marathon.....

Sorry for ranting, I just keep hearing about young large breed dogs ending up broken because their owners thought they had 'loads of energy' and could 'run all day' - maybe they can...but it doesn't mean it is good for them.
Then it gets blamed on 'unhealthy pedigrees' and 'bad breeders' rather than 'we overcooked our dog'.