How old before I can take a puppy running with me?

[DarrenTheBoxer]

Hi everyone.

I'm buying a puppy within the next couple weeks. I'm a boxer and run about 3 miles most mornings as part of my training. What I want to know is how long should I wait before taking him running with me? Because obviously I don't wan't to do any harm by making him exercise too hard.

Thanks for any advice

Darren

[borzoimom]

what breed and at what age are you getting the dog?

[golden&hovawart]

I was told not to take a puppy for real runs until they were 18 mths.I'm talking for large and giant breeds.
A Boxer would be considered a large dog.
As for small to medium dog(BC),not before 12 mths.
At least,that's what the vet told me

[borzoimom]

I am trying to not assume its a boxer at this point, but yes- that is good advice..

[sheplovr]

:D I would never run any breed small or large till at least one year old. Larger breeds to eliminate Hip problems wait even longer. Running on a hard surface being a Boxer by trade it is very hard on joints and ligaments of the dog. Good luck and hope you can wait.

[klewlis]

Puppies have soft bones and joints so you don't want to stress them too much. I have heard 1.5 years, and especially to wait with breeds that are prone to things like hip displacement, etc.

I was told that Sammy was about 1.5 years when I got him, so I started running with him. Now that I know him better I think they were wrong on the age at the shelter--I would say he's closer to a year. However, he enjoys the runs and I just keep them short (nothing over 8k or so).

Also you have to take into account things like hydration and the wear on his pads... check his foot pads after a run to make sure they aren't cut, worn, etc. And make sure he has access to water (though if it's a cool morning 3 miles he should be ok to wait until he gets home!).

Be warned... it's not easy running with a dog! lol

It's easier now that Sammy is a little more trained, and stays at my side, and stops only when I stop... before that he was all over the place, and would run in front of me and nearly trip me, or stop suddenly, or whatever. But the "heel" training has helped a lot!

[KatzNK9]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Great to have you with us! I hope you'll post pics of your pups when he arrives.

You're received some good advice already. The smaller the dog, the earlier you can start & I'd start with the small-medium breeds after 1 year & medium-large breeds at 15-18 months.

[skunkstripe]

Hi Darren and Welcome!
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q108/2dogmom_album/crittergraphics/cat-boxer.gif
That is great that you do 3 miles every day! Some grown-up dog is going to be very happy to have you as an owner!
Please do post back about age and breed. Some breeds are notorious for it being advised against running with them until their skeletons have reached their full size, for example Labradors.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q108/2dogmom_album/crittergraphics/Exercises.gif

[DarrenTheBoxer]

Thanks for the quick response everyone!

Ok I'm not 100% sure on the breed yet. It's going to be a either a staffy, a german shepard, or a doberman. Although I could end up going for another boxer as my parents have a boxer and ive spent 6 years with him as a family pet so I do have a soft spot for boxers!

I have just moved out of the parents house and can't take my current running partners with me :-( (the boxer mentioned above and a lab) so I'm buying my own dog.


I was hoping it wouldnt be anywhere near as long as a year! But hey if thats the way it is then thats the way it is!


sheplovrRunning on a hard surface being a Boxer by trade it is very hard on joints and ligaments of the dog.

Yes I run on hard tarmac but its a path way with grass to either side so the dog will most probably run on the grass off the leader, thats what my other 2 used to do anyways.

[BratBoxers]

I usually suggest no road work before 18 months. Only yard play and a bit treadmill.

[LoveThatPom]

Dogs, just like humans, need to work up to the distance as well. You can't just go on a 3-mile run, you have to progressively build up the dog's endurance. I would suggest adopting a young dog from a shelter, that way you can run with it right away. Shelter dogs are the best :)

[BratBoxers]

BTW I was speaking of the Boxer breed:D

[Monkey]

if you have time and knowledge you can alwys rescue a grown dog.
They can come with baggage however..
But if you are grown up with an active breed like boxer then you could prolly handle it well :)
and welcome to the forums!

[Areias]

if you have time and knowledge you can alwys rescue a grown dog.
They can come with baggage however..
But if you are grown up with an active breed like boxer then you could prolly handle it well :)
and welcome to the forums!

I was going to say the same thing-there are a lot of staffys and boxers/boxer mixes in shelters, perhaps you could find a one-year old there.

[Caincando1]

I agree, there are probably a bunch of dogs at the rescue that would love to run 3 miles a day.

[eb4i]

What's yer wieght class, brah?

Me I'm a heavywieght dude and I kinda thud down the road rather than float, so I couldn't put a poor dobie through the pain of my plodding, heh.

Poor old dobe would wanna fly and he's got a slug ar a training partner.

If you want a running mate right now, I'm with the rescue crowd... plenty of lonely 'tough guys' moping around the pound, just waiting for a chance to go running with you.

[klewlis]

Dogs, just like humans, need to work up to the distance as well. You can't just go on a 3-mile run, you have to progressively build up the dog's endurance.

Depends on the dog... I started at 3 miles with Sammy and he was fine. If you think about it, that's only about half an hour of running, depending on your pace.

[DarrenTheBoxer]

I dunno about the whole rescue dog thing guys. I would like to help a dog out that needs it and give him a good home and lots of exersize, and I know that way I can go running with him straight away....but I dunno if I could handle it. All the dogs ive had have been my parents dogs ya know, this is going to be the first time its 'MY' dog.

Klewlis - yes 3 miles is nothing.

Eb4i - Im a cruiserweight mate so not far off you lol.

[skunkstripe]

Darren I am curious why you think you might not be able to handle it? Puppies are not necessarily easier or harder than adult rescues, they are just different.

[Monkey]

I dunno about the whole rescue dog thing guys. I would like to help a dog out that needs it and give him a good home and lots of exersize, and I know that way I can go running with him straight away....but I dunno if I could handle it. All the dogs ive had have been my parents dogs ya know, this is going to be the first time its 'MY' dog.

Klewlis - yes 3 miles is nothing.

Eb4i - Im a cruiserweight mate so not far off you lol.

I can see what you are thinking, but you have rescues that dont have that much bagage either.

On the other hand a lot of people prefers to raise their own pup to really bond with it cause it is what you are used too. Nothing wrong with that. You will however have to adjust a lot more to a puppy. ME I hate the puppyage. They are cute to look at but what monsters..

What you could do is, talk to good breeders around you, be prepared to wait a couple of years due to the fact of waiting time and then that the dog has to mature, but just take a look at the pound dogs. You dont have to decide and really take one. You can just look and see if there is anything you would feel comfortable with, if not then you dont, then you should not take a dog from there. Cause if it doesnt feel right in your heart, then it is no use.

I swore when I came to the states that I would NEVER owe another rescue pitbull due to the fact that they often of bad treatment turn angry at other dogs. I came across this one year old pit and he was the DREAMpitbull of my life. MY landlord stoped me from keeping him however. So.. you never know where THAT dog shows up. as a rescue nutlover I just ask you to go there and look at them. They might have a 5-6 month old puppy.. that would shorten the lenght of waiting time still.

Then there is one more thing.. You are doubting yourself, that tells me you CAN do it. If someone comes to me and say, Oh hI can do this.. I go Oho??
if they doubt, then they think, they plan ahead, then they usually can handle most situations. So I dont doubt you as much as you doubt yourself.
You already have the two most important keys to succeed with a rescue, love for dogs and exercise. Most missbehaving dogs missbehave due to lack of exercise and training.

Just some thoughts..
read it, think it through, BUT YOU should be comfortable with the desicion, do not let anyone in here push you cause we scream rescue. If you dont feel it in your heart to take an older dog with or without baggage you dont. There is no shame in that, cause you are supoose to live with your dog years ahead so it must feel right or there will just be another rescue out there.

good luck and let us know :)

[MixedBreed]

There are lots of larger breeds that get surrendered to shelters because they're just that - large. There are many year-olds that have no real behavioural problems but required too much exercise for their former owners. It sounds like you will have that part covered already.

If you find the right shelter and the right kennel tech to help you out with the dogs temperament, a year-old might just be what you are looking for. Monkey is right - when you know you will know - and personally I find puppies way more work than any baggage a rescue might carry, as well. I've never had a puppy of my 'own' (just family dogs) so I may be mistaken but it doesn't seem to me like it took any longer for my year-old rescue to 'bond'.

[Amber23]

My vet advised against running with Katie before 2 years old. It will be the same with Hope. You really want to make sure they are done growing before doing anything to strenuous.

As for not being able to "handle" a shelter dog. Well, that’s absurd. Not all shelter dogs have issues. Actually, I would say that the there really aren’t that many that do. They are just looking for forever, loving homes. Shelters can be extremely stressful, but once they get into a normal routine, they usually become wonderful dogs.


If you need a purebred, why not look into purebred rescues? There are adult dobes, shepard, etc out there looking for a home.

[eb4i]

Eb4i - Im a cruiserweight mate so not far off you lol.

Well... the dobe might not mind running with you as much as he'd mind running with me at least, heh. You're likely alot quicker than I am, brah.

Cruiserwieght friend of mine runs with his Boxer... they have a good rapport.

I wouldn't discount a rescue, m8... some dogs get left behind for no better reason than the previous owner was moving... no all of them are 'problem' dogs.

Good luck whatever route you go, and keep me posted! It's nice to have another fighter on the board!

[klewlis]

wow, I think puppies are WAY more work than an adult dog! Puppies are cute and all... and I considered getting one... but then I thought about all the housebreaking, chewing, etc... and decided to adopt an adult. ;)

With that said, you can also get puppies at shelters. And I got Sammy from a shelter, and he's about a year old and runs with me. :)

(but he does have some baggage... dog-aggression... we're working on it. I still think it's easier than housebreaking!)

[April]

Good advice from everyone, it's what I would do. Running on hard surfaces isn't good for the joints or pads if its hot. Have you thought of a rescue dog?

[tarakiwa]

Hi,

I know not all people can get themselves to a hydrotherapy pool, but I try and use the pool as much as possible with our dogs when they are growing up.
Its a weight free exercice, no stress on the bones and joints. A 5 min session swimming against the jets on full force (if you got a dog that swims well) is like taking a dog for a 5 mile walk.

I have a dog who can swim for 24 min before he starts to struggle, he is 18 mths old and looks amazing...I had his hips scored and they were 0-0 !

By doing this you can build strength and stamina in your young dog and when you start walking or running the dog for miles per day, he would be in the best condition possible for this type of exercise, including strong heart and lungs.

Mark

[tarakiwa]

Hi

Sorry I forgot!
You can also use a treadmill water walker, have a look at my website and look under hydrotherapy and see the treadmill, very good piece of equipment to have also!

Work against the water at different depths and speeds.

[eb4i]

Ya gotta link to yer website from yer profile m8... they don't allow links to personal websites on the forum... nice site tho'.

[tarakiwa]

Hi to all,

Sorry for advertising the website:o if the people concerned could remove it, I would appreciate it.

Mark

[eb4i]

I think you can edit the post, brah... you should be able to remove the link.

Just bring up the post, click on 'edit post' and delete the link.

I was looking about the site for a minute there... what does Storm detect?

[tarakiwa]

Hi,

He is a green dog!
I have used gun oil and black powder so either if he was trained on explo or drugs there will be no problems with what he has used so far!

I have been everywhere with him indoors outdoors ( list could go on and on)
he is ready to start a course, I will train him for explo in the coming weeks and take it from there!

Regards

Mark

[eb4i]

Cool. Always interested in eod work. Keep me posted on Storm's progress?