I know its 5 min for each month but how many times can I walk him in a day

IMO, i depends on how you're walking him. If it's a brisk continual walk/trot, then I wouldn't do it more than twice a day. If it's just a casual walk as his pace to get him used to a leash, then it can be more. Others may have different/better opinions; that's just how I do it.

Surface matters too. 10 minutes on concrete is worse than 10 on grass.

seattlesibe wrote:

Surface matters too. 10 minutes on concrete is worse than 10 on grass.

excellent point!

I just walk him and he runs a little when he's excited but that's about it , Oh I'll start walking in grass then thank you

Good call. Gotta protect those joints.

Yup it's my first husky and I'm trying to do everything right

Hi. This is a question I have been wanting to ask too for my 13 week old. I had the idea of 5min per month of life too, but according to my breeder and vet this is not nearly enough. I am talking about a top breeder and a vet specialized in huskies, so I couldn't throw their opinion away although people on the forum have been saying that for ages. They say that he can walk as much as he wants if he doesn´t show signs of being tired, that walking or running with other dogs in the park doesn't stress the joints. The only thing that would make his legs suffer is an structured running or walking for a lot of km. I even consulted a second vet just for that and she said the same thing. So what do you guys think? I feel like if I walked him 15 min he would die of boredom tearing the house apart in the process :lol!:Is there anything we can do to know when he is going too far for sure?

This is an interesting dilemma and you won't find or see certainty because, well, that is impossible.

Like any rule of thumb, there are variations, exceptions, extreme cases, etc. That said I don't think the 5min/month rule is meant to imply " if you go more you WILL inflict damage.". It's more " to play it safe and avoid damage, use this rule."

I have personally taken exception to this rule of thumb on a number of levels, but most importantly I think surface is key. I don't think it takes a vet or a physicist or a runner to know that concrete is tough and grass is soft. So if you are gonna run them or let them romp, choose the safer surface. Also, they run a tremendous amount on their own even at 8 weeks. Physically speaking , the same activity while hooked to a leash is no different whatsoever so long as it is the same intensity and time.

For me personally I think the general guidelines about structured running or jogging on concrete are legit as are the ones for pulling and harness work, but I think the 5min/month rule is a bit exaggerated and overrated. It is however good to play it safe anytime possible.

Just my food for thought.

With our first puppy, we realised that neven forgetting the growing joints, short walks and then games in the garden/ house was preferable. As she now only needs about an hour walk, can go further but doesnt need it. Where as I think if they get lots of long walks from a young age, by the time they are an adult they are going to need a hell of alot more. One of my dogs littermates' families have this problem with there boy, they took him for long walks while very young n now he has to go on 6 walks a day including a 12 mile bike ride, n still never settles down in the house.

So you're suggesting you can condition their exercise needs. That's an interesting thought for sure.

Personally, I think that 5 min rule is incomplete and should really also take into account distance. 5 minutes running goes a lot farther than 5 minutes walking. We each have different comfort speeds and 10 minutes at a snail's pace won't really do much. Then the style of walk can also affect it, some will let their pups stop every few seconds to sniff around while others expect the dog to walk and ignore everything.

I say judge your walks by how the up is handling them, if you stop moving and the pup is still eager to go then you're not overdoing it. But if the pup lays down when you stop or refuses to keep going, then it may be too much.

So if after the walk he is still hyper and has enough energy to destroy the house I'm not giving him enough excercise ?

Perhaps, yes. But you can tire him put with training and play and mental exercises and chew toys too. Refraining from Amy excitement and roughhousing will also help. Don't help create a monster

he bites everyone and chews everything I have been hovering over him 24/7 for this week and I'm exhausted I think I'm giving him to much freedom he isn't potty trained yet but he hasn't had an accident today though so I guess where getting somewhere is it fine to keep him in his crate after he has had his walks ( 3 walks ) I walk him first thing in the morning in the afternoon when there's shade and at night and he has been in his crate for the remainder of the time , I'm guessing this way he won't have accidents inside and will be potty trained faster ?