Train Your Puppy and Keep Him Fit For Life

Look at how far the bones have to grow before they become a proper bony joint! This is why you should never let puppies jump, walk up/down stairs, over exercise or over train.

Doing too much impact activity at a young age will cause serious issues later in life, or even at a young age - hip dysplasia and other orthopaedic conditions are rising in puppies!

Remember the puppy rule for every month increase activity by 5 minutes! For example, an 8-week old puppy only needs 10 minutes physical activity a day - a 6-month-old only needs 30 minutes a day of physical activity!!

Appropriate Puppy Exercise from 0 - 6 months

• Slow, short walks with lots of opportunities to sniff - distance is not the objective (max 30 minutes in total at 6 months of age)
• Formal skills training – sit, stay, down, touch – no more than 2 mins per session
• Free play – no more than 10 mins per day at 6 months; discourage rough play, such as body slamming
• Chasing objects – roll (not throw) balls and drag toys along the ground. ALWAYS avoid repetitive ball throwing & chasing, regardless of the age of the dog
• Tugging – do not pull against the dog – hold the toy and let the puppy pull against you; keep the toy low, to maintain the puppy’s neck in a straight line with its back
• Avoid – direct running, jumping, indoor/outdoor stairs, fast turns, sudden stops like chasing a ball!
• Young puppies, up to six months, should not be exercised with the intent to increase strength or endurance. These puppies should be allowed to play naturally, i.e. self-directed play
• Jumping is often encouraged, with little understanding of the damage it can cause a young pup. Do not allow your puppy up on high objects without good supervision and assist them when getting down - do not encourage jumping

Now you might be worrying about how you are going to tire your puppy out, if he isn't allowed to do very much exercise. Well, you will be pleased to know that mental stimulation tires puppy out just as much as physical activity. Another great reason to give short structured training sessions!

So grab that treat bag and get started on making your new puppy a model canine citizen. Practice makes perfect, and if puppy is not learning the skills you are trying to teach, remember - it's not the puppy that's got it wrong, it's the trainer 😏.