I want to have an truthful discussion on when it’s safe to start running with a puppy.

I started running with my weimaraner when he was about 6 months old.

We cover much more ground when running. Running seems to remove the need for training or leash manners. When I run with my dogs, we naturally ease into the same pace. Frankly, it’s one of my tricks for teaching “heel.”

Distractions that become a big deal while walking (other dogs, friendly strangers, interesting smells) seem to disappear while running. My young canine focuses on the task at hand – being with me.

Instead of pulling, he floats.

Treats don’t even matter. For 25 minutes, we’re a team.

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When is it safe to start running with a puppy?

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When is it safe to start running with a puppy?

Warnings about running with puppies ought to be taken seriously

How much running ought to a puppy do?

Puppy exercise chart I followed with my weimaraner puppy

Other elements to consider when jogging with a puppy

When can you start running with a lab puppy?

When can I start running with an Australian shepherd puppy?

My weimaraner puppy is practically 9 months old now (at the time of this writing), and we are doing some light, slow running up to about 2 miles four or five days per week.

This is not a post about what you ought to finish with your puppy. I’m sharing what works for me and my weimaraner.

Many veterinarians, canine trainers and breeders will say you ought to not run with a canine whatsoever until his muscles and bones have physically matured and growth plates are closed.

This is typically around 12 to 18 months, depending on breed. larger dogs tend to take longer to mature physically (and mentally).

Too much “forced” exercise can potentially cause damage to a puppy’s developing joints, these experts say.

*If you just got a new puppy, download my totally free puppy training guide. לחץ כאן

Warnings about running with puppies ought to be taken seriously

Yet, people can also take this to an extreme.

I’m aware of canine owners who have carried their young Labradors up and down stairs for a full year. הסיבה? To safeguard their dogs’ joints.

I’ve seen 8-month old puppies already overweight because they’re not getting walked.

Their owners worry anything over a half-hour will give their dogs hip dysplasia. (I also worry people are using this as an excuse not to walk at all.)

And on the behavioral side of things, the united states has a real problem with young, healthy dogs being surrendered to shelters and rescue groups. primarily larger breeds such as lab mixes.

It doesn’t take a scientific study to figure out a real element here is these dogs are under-exercised, untrained, poorly socialized. just plain challenging to handle.

My Weimaraner, Remy, at about 9 months old

How much running ought to a puppy do?

It’s all about balance and common sense.

Personally, because my puppy is incredibly high energy (explosive!) and too smart for his own good, I have always sided on getting him out and about for proper exercise, training and socialization. I said exercise first for a reason. He needs it.

For me, the risk of not exercising my particular puppy enough is a much more major risk than overdoing it. keeping him exercised keeps him somewhat manageable.

Being a major runner, I know that 1, 2 or even 3 miles really is nothing for an active, sporting breed. even for a puppy.

I’m not taking my puppy out for 5-mile runs. עדיין. We’re not doing intense workouts. We don’t sprint. I don’t even throw the ball over and over and over.

These 2-mile, light runs are my way of taking it easy on him. We might go at a 10-minute per mile pace, tops. typically slower.

And I still worry I’m overdoing it!

*If you’re enjoying this article, I’d love to send you other helpful puppy suggestions in my weekly newsletter. לחץ כאן

Puppy exercise chart I followed with my weimaraner puppy

This is not a guide. There is no science behind this. It’s simply what I’m comfortable with after talking about with my pup’s breeder and my pup’s vet and good Ol’ common Sense.

2 to 5 months: No running other than during play. plenty of leash walks 1-2 miles per day at first and soon 2-3 miles per day walking. eventually increase up to 4 miles per day walking.

5 to 6 months: 5 to 10 minutes of slow, stable running during our walks once or twice a week. total distance per day 2 to 4 miles (mostly walking).

6 to 8 months: slowly begin to add a mile of running a few mornings per week. continue with daily walks 2 to 4 miles.

8 to 12 months: Running around 2 miles a few days per week, continuing with long walks.

(My pup is currently 8.5 months)

12 months: This is where I’ll probably start running 3, 4 or 5 miles many days and not worry about speed anymore.

18 months: Let’m run! This is where I’ll take him just about any distance, any speed, within reason. If I’m doing 8 miles, he’ll go 8 miles. If I do 20, he’ll probably do 20. and that’s not a joke. My senior canine Ace did long runs of 15 to 20 miles a day in his prime.

Heck, weimaraners are bred for endurance, for running all day long in the field!

Search for a canine friendly race to finish with your canine here.

*If you’re enjoying this article, I’d love to send you other helpful puppy suggestions in my weekly newsletter. לחץ כאן

Other elements to consider when jogging with a puppy

Genetics. My puppy comes from a line of working weims where there are no hip and joint problems. His parents and grandparents are competitive hunting dogs. His grandpa is 12 and still works in the field.

Remy’s breeder gave me the “go” to start running with him at 6 months. I’m taking a much more conservative method and slowly easing into it.

Spay/neuter. many of the new research says that early spaying and neutering affects a dog’s muscle and bone development, especially for larger breeds.

Remy’s vet recommended me to wait on neutering my puppy until he’s at least a year old because of all the studies that link early neutering to broken ACLs, hip problems and other joint issues. Being a runner, I chose delaying the neutering would be best for Remy.

I’m thankful we have a vet who keeps up with the most recent research. When people caution about not over-exercising a young dog, possibly they ought to also caution about the effects of early spay/neuter.

This is yet another big problem in the United States, with rescue groups regularly neutering puppies as young as 8 weeks old. much more here.

I’m not saying my method is best. possibly I’m overdoing it with my puppy. no one knows for sure.

This post is implied to start a discussion for those who run with their dogs. I know I’m not the only runner wondering how long I ought to wait before allowing my little athlete to join me for workouts. God knows he has the energy for it!

When can you start running with a lab puppy?

You will get a different answer no matter who you ask. You have to count on your vet and breeder and your own judgement. many people recommend waiting until the lab is about 12 months old.

We just got a lab puppy this summer (2021, five years after this post was published originally), and I plan to follow a similar exercise schedule as I did with my weim – starting with short, slow runs. but as of now, I plan to wait until he’s about 8-9 months old and then very slowly build from there.

Our lab is from a working, field bred line and her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents all have healthy hips. Still, I will keep an open discussion with his breeder and our vet about the best plan.

Our vet recommended I start running with my lab around 9 months old, so that is probably what I will do, starting with just a few minutes a day and slowly increasing.

When can I start running with an Australian shepherd puppy?

Fill in the blank with any breed … you will get a different answer no matter who you ask. The general guideline of thumb is about 12 months for many dogs but we all have to make the best choice for our own dog.

Australian shepherds are another active breed and if I had a working line Aussie, I would probably start running (slowly) at the 6 to 9- month age. They are smaller than weimaraners so that makes me feel much more comfortable running with them a little earlier. but that is simply my opinion.

Now I’d like to hear from you …

When do you believe it is safe to start running with a puppy?

Let me know in the comments!

*If you’re enjoying this article, I’d love to send you other helpful puppy suggestions in my weekly newsletter. לחץ כאן

My favorite puppy exercise tools:

1. long Leash:A 15 or 30-ft long leash allows your puppy to explore, run and play on his own when you don’t have a fenced area.

2. treat Pouch:A treat pouch allows you to easily carry treats so you can help your puppy focus. This is helpful on walks as well as for short training sessions.

3. Kong Flier Fetch ToyThe Kong Flier Frisbee is a resilient toy that’s soFT על הפה של הגור. זה נהדר לשחק לקחת בחצר ולהיכנס קצת פעילות נחוצה!

4. בריא גלם כלבים מזון של – התחלתי להאכיל את הכלבלב הגולה שלי מן darwin של. קבל 75% הנחה על 10 פאונד הראשון שלך כאן. אין צורך קוד.

משאבים נוספים:

ההודעה הקודמת שלי על מתי לרוץ עם גורים
כמה רחוק אני יכול ללכת על הגור שלי?
האם מצילים סירוס גורים צעירים מדי?
ללא שם: אני עושה הכל לא בסדר עם הגור שלי!
איך לרוץ עם כלב
חצי מרתון אימון עם כלבים

לינדזי סטורדחל הוא המייסד של מאט זה. היא כותבת על אימון כלבים, פעילות גופנית האכלה דיאטה גלם בריאה.