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Exercise

A very good rule of thumb is that puppies do not go for walks before they are at least 16 weeks old. This doesn't mean they don't go out, but it does mean that they go out for socialisation -to meet people and other dogs and different situations. They do not go out for a route march!! No, seriously, a giant breed should never be over-exercised whilst a baby. They have an enormous amount of growing to do before they are six months old, and you can cause your puppy a great deal of hardship if you put too much stress onto growing joints when it's very young. This is particularly true for the hip joints. St Bernards are known for being susceptible to hip dysplasia. This is an inherited problem, and all our breeding stock is x-rayed to confirm suitability for breeding. But, even a perfectly strong, healthy, well-bred puppy can be over-exercised as a baby and this can lead to hip problems later on. So be careful and THINK about the amount of exercise you are giving your pup - and expecting your pup to cope with.

So, what's right and what's wrong? Puppies love to play, with other pups, dogs and especially children. This is fine, but in moderation when they're small. If your pup has been playing in the garden with the children, this will be ample for the first couple of months at home. A ride out in the car is ideal -to visit friends, or the local market. This is socialisation -getting used to all sorts of different things while you're still very young. What you don't want is playing in the garden with the children, then a walk to the shops, then more play, etc. This is overload. Think about it. Even when simply playing with the children, or your older dog, you will see your pup begin to flag, get very tired and just keep on and on because no-one has intervened to call a halt to the game. This is when you must step in. The pup will need a rest to recharge its batteries -make sure it gets one.

So, what about the first walks. You can practice in the garden initially to get the pup used to the collar and lead. Going out for a 'walk' is no different. Go up the road for lead practice; if there's a nearby piece of green-space then walk there and back, providing it really isn't too far. You don't have to walk to the park and then all the way around it! Not to start with, anyway. Take it in moderation. The pup doesn't have to be really tired when it comes back from the walk -this is a mis-conception. The walk is as much for seeing sights and sounds and finding new smells (brain activity) as it is for physical activity. Then as the strength of the pups develops, so can the length and duration of the walks.

When you get to the stage of letting your dog off lead (when you've trained it to come back when you can is a good start time!) remember that your pup can come to harm if you let it go off romping with a much more agile, older dog. Rough and tumble is OK, but do be careful. Common sense really -but if you don't pay attention to it and your dog badly sprains a leg, for instance, it will take a long time to heal. Being sociable on a lead is probably better until your dog has finished the bulk of its growing. If you have a busy pup during the day, playing around the house and in the garden, and given plenty of attention, then short walks are an that's necessary.