I try to stick to the 5 min per month rule on a walk but Chepi loves to play with other dogs. How much rough and tumble is ok? I tend to step in if another dog bowls her over and we move away but should I stop her tearing around? I guess I am using my intuition mainly.
Re: What is safe play for a pup? I never counted play into it Jane , I think its far more important that pups have play with other dogs and socialise . All about common sense really and stopping the action when they start to flag , let her have fun with an easy conscience
Re: What is safe play for a pup? There will be loads of different views on this... I viewed play with other dogs as exercise - it was certainly more energetic than a walk. So if we had set off for a 20 minute walk, and Charlie met a mate from puppy school and played for 20 minutes, that was it - we went home. I didn't do the 20 minute walk on top. In term of rough and tumble, I was pretty wary. We stayed away from much heavier dogs, just a quick hello and moved on (unless I knew a dog to be gentle and good to play with) and I tried to steer Charlie towards puppies his own age. If he was playing with a dog about the same size and weight as him, I almost never stepped in but left them to it. I think the worry is a big collision with a much heavier dog - that's not a good thing. Similar sized puppies seemed fine to me. Luckily, as a puppy Charlie had a few cocker spaniel mates, who only wanted to play chasey games (and could outrun him easily unless he had the advantage of a long hill or over distance). That's all he ever wants now - a spaniel to play chase...
Re: What is safe play for a pup? Yes, spaniels are GREAT fun and Chepi loves their ears! Yes,also to heavier dogs, I guess that's reassured me; thanks Katie and Julie.
Re: What is safe play for a pup? We have been taking Nellie to a puppy party once or twice a week which is held before the training sessions we attend and the trainer is very vocal about not over exercising your puppy whilst it is very young but then she lets a group of puppies tear around like absolute loons for half an hour! The good thing is they are of all a similar age although not similar size. As Kate said previously you have to weigh up the risk Vs the need for socialisation.
