Exercising off the lead

[Stethefarmer]

I have a 14 week old spaniel pup and Im hoping for some advice around exercising off the lead.

At the moment I taking her for long walks on the lead, plus I’m also exercising her off it.

While off the lead I have been letting her dash around in-front of me / work. When she gets too far ahead I call her and she will return to me or wait until I catch up and carry on nose down. She can dash on a little too far if she get the scent of a rabbit, but will usually return when recalled. I’m exercising on grass / hay meadows and do my best to check there is no game around in advance.

She is a bold pup and is starting to get more adventurous and stray a little bit further each day. I don’t want to cause any problems down the line. I was wondering if I’m giving her a little too much freedom at this stage?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

Stephen

[Tungulria]

How far is long?

[Stihl 090]

And keep off scented ground!

[Matt]

Depending on the answer to Tungulria's question I'd be a bit concerned about how much exercise you're giving the pup on "long" walks.

I accept I'm on the more cautious end of the exercising spectrum - but I wouldn't be taking a 14 week old pup out for very long at all. While bones and joints are still growing (up to a year old) I manage the exercise mine get, so at 14 weeks old my lab pups get about 15-20 mins of walking, broken up over a 30-45 minutes training/games session.

I play a lot of hide and seek with my pups to encourage them to check in with me to see what I'm doing and where I've gone. I also don't recall my puppies unless they're already running back to me. If they get too far out I turn around and go a different way so they think they're being left behind and run to catch up with me.

[Stethefarmer]

Thanks for the responses

I'm walking on the lead for about 1.5 miles. (I did discuss with a vet friend as she said it was fine). But I will reduce this a little.

In terms of scented ground we live on a smallholding, so some scent is unavoidable I'm afraid. I do try to clear the ground first.

The pup is ranging to about 15/20 yards ahead. I'm trying to keep her close, but I don't want to be constantly nagging her her to stop.

Matt, thanks for the advice I will try more play and games.

The pup has bags of drives and energy. When I have restricted her the garden she just whizzes around at 100 miles an hour shredding the flowerbeds! I don't have a problem with this, but she can't seem to burn off much energy this way.

Thanks

Stephen

[Stihl 090]

Is that road walking? If so that's heavy going on the joints for a youngster. Don't forget that a dog tires quicker from mental work rather than physical as all you are essentially doing is building stamina more.

[Stethefarmer]

It's on grass verges. It's a good point, I will work more on play and exercises

[Cass]

Lol if my dog wasnt 15-20 yards ahead I'd be concerned. No need to worry. Instead of calling her back change directions or hide. It'll teach her to keep an eye on you

[Springfield Pointers]

What are you wanting to achieve with the dog? What is its purpose.

[Stethefarmer]

Hi all

Quick update, I have reduced the length of walks right down. When I'm out I'm changing directions and hiding, it's working well she is now always checking where I am.

I have introduced placeboards and I'm trying to keep her mind active rather than her feet. All of this seems to have helped her burn of energy and she is much more relaxed.

My only problem at the moment are dive-bombing swallows, normally a pleasure to watch, but not with a 15 week old spaniel in tow! I'm restricting her to the lead when they are about

The spaniel is hopefully going to be an all rounder. I'm in two DIY syndicates and we do our own picking up after drives, we will also push in areas as we walk to our pegs, but she won't be in the beating line. Other than that I do some rough shooting, flighting etc.

Thanks for all the advice, it's so useful to get some practical tips as a novice.

Stephen