I currently have a very energetic 5 mo old 1/2 lab and 1/2 beagle mix. I understand about not doing difficult hikes with him until his growth plates have sealed, maybe around 15-18 months, as per the vet's suggestion. Anyone done "easy hikes" prior to this age? If yes, how far and how old was your pup? Any problems that developed later because of hiking at an early age? He already walks, runs, sniffs, explores, and plays with other dogs he meets off leash on a dirt trail with fields behind our house for 30-45 min once to twice a day. And, he does not get tired from that. Thanks!
I currently have a very energetic 5 mo old 1/2 lab and 1/2 beagle mix. I understand about not doing difficult hikes with him until his growth plates have sealed, maybe around 15-18 months, as per the vet's suggestion in order to prevent orthopedic problems in the future. Anyone done "easy hikes" prior to this age? If yes, how far and how old was your pup? Thanks!
Hi Ranger, I have merged the two posts above (which you posted in two different forums) so that you will be able to see all the replies together in one place I think that with a pup that age I'd be doing hikes of only about 30 minutes or so. Taking him on different surfaces where he has to navigate undulating ground is a good thing for his development, so don't shy away from going off the beaten track but just make sure it's terrain that he can handle easily and don't go for too long. The best way to tire out a puppy is with training - tiring out the brain is waaaaay more effective than tiring out the body. A few 10 minute sessions a day should help a lot. You can time them strategically so that they happen before times of the day when he is normally especially 'energetic'.
Libby is the same age and we do regular longish walks in the fields and tracks around us. I don't know if this will affect her badly in the long run but I'm interested in following this thread.
We sort of loosely followed the 5 minute rule so that allowed 25 minutes and not enough time to be worth a drive to a real hiking trail with rough terrain. However it was winter and there was deep snow and I pretty well kept puppy out of the deep snow as the breeder warned specifically about too much deep snow and too much swimming being hard on joints and ligaments and especially knees.
Im very careful with pups and have taken advice from vets and canine physio. I personally wouldn't do that with a young dog. I would wait until your pup is older.
