Exercise

[Nanny71]

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I have read that my type of dog (BichonxChihuahua) needs approximately 20 mins walking a day. He has more than this and seems to enjoy it. He has an hour in the morning some of it off lead, playing with his friends, and three quarters of an hour in the afternoon.
This is routine and he has more if weather is good.
He is two and a half and still wants to play when we get home.
Please some advice, should I cut his exercise down? Have I harmed him?
He didn't get so much exercise as a puppy as I was conscious of him being little with undeveloped bones.

 

[Caro Perry]

There is a difference between "needs" and "can cope with"!

The main thing is to make sure you're not tiring him out too much but the more exercise they get, the more they can do. Like humans they get fitter and fitter! He sounds like he's fit and healthy to me.

 

[JoanneF]

I think Chihuahuas are often thought of as handbag dogs, when actually they are quite busy little dogs. So if you are happy to give him that amount, he will be fine. That said, as @Caro Perry says, you do run the risk of making a super fit athlete that you cannot settle. If you are finding that, try some trick training or scent games; these tire a dog by using his brain and are very effective at tiring them out.

 

[JudyN]

He'll be much better off with 1.75 hours a day than 20 minutes!

My dog always wants to play in the garden when we get home from our morning walk even if it's been really long - it's as if it's a way of de-stressing and resetting his brain after the fun of the walk, a bit like you need time to switch off after coming home from a lively party. So don't assume that wanting to play when he gets home means he's not had enough exercise - it could be his winding-down routine!

 

[Nanny71]

Thank you all. I am told I worry too much about him. He is a Chihuahuaxbichon but more bichon size. I take him with me almost everywhere, if I get my coat he assumes he is coming.
I like the idea of him playing to de stress.
On one of our walks there is a dog friendly cafe we can stop for a coffee. The owner gives the dogs a biscuit too.
Another walk has an extremely dog friendly pub which is also good for a cuppa and a dog biscuit.

 

[Nanny71]

There is a difference between "needs" and "can cope with"!

The main thing is to make sure you're not tiring him out too much but the more exercise they get, the more they can do. Like humans they get fitter and fitter! He sounds like he's fit and healthy to me.

I am recovering from heart surgery so am also working on my fitness. I am intending to be fit enough for a five mile countryside ramble in July. I was going to take him with me but I will probably 're think that

 

[Caro Perry]

I am recovering from heart surgery so am also working on my fitness. I am intending to be fit enough for a five mile countryside ramble in July. I was going to take him with me but I will probably 're think that

He's possibly doing that and more already in his mornings walk with you! Someone put a tracker on both the dog and humans - the dog (off lead) covered twice the distance his human companions did. If yours is off and running round playing he's covering an awful lot of ground!

I think we all worry over our dogs (I do) but as a species they've managed to survive for thousands of years without the pampering they get nowadays! Harri is certainly responsible for a lot of angst himself over the last few weeks but I wouldn't change him for the world.

 

[poptart]

It's more natural for a dog to be outside than in, so I don't see why you shouldn't give him as much exercise as he wants. I believe it's an issue when their bones are still growing but otherwise why worry? Dogs are not daft. Whenever mine are ill they want to sleep and refuse to walk, so they know what's best for themselves.

 

[JudyN]

I'm sure he'd be capable of 5 miles, but of course he can build up to it just as you are, and you'll be able to see if he does get overtired. More of a concern could be heat on the day - dogs can have pretty poor heat tolerance, and also hot tarmac can burn their paws. There's a good diagram here, though as always, individual dogs will differ: Pet Insurance from Petplan - Trusted for Over 40 Years | Petplan

 

[Mad Murphy]

I think you deserve a pat on the back , a chi owner that actually walks and allow their dog to play around here thats 1 in a million. As long as the play is supervised, ( I wouldnt trust Murphy with a chi simply because he is clumsy ox) I see no reason why your dog shouldnt play with other friendly dogs and live a normal doggy life.
Handbags are for keys and purses not dogs!

 

[Nanny71]

I'm sure he'd be capable of 5 miles, but of course he can build up to it just as you are, and you'll be able to see if he does get overtired. More of a concern could be heat on the day - dogs can have pretty poor heat tolerance, and also hot tarmac can burn their paws. There's a good diagram here, though as always, individual dogs will differ: Pet Insurance from Petplan - Trusted for Over 40 Years | Petplan

I always carry water and a bowl for him in the summer. If it is very hot I wouldn't take him. On hot days he likes the kitchen floor and a fan. He does have a thick coat which I keep well trimmed. He is non moulding.

 

[Caro Perry]

( I wouldnt trust Murphy with a chi simply because he is clumsy ox)!

I remember Harri at 2.5kg and 14 weeks playing with a teacup chi pup. I was terrified Harri'd break him! I worry now when we meet the pair of toy dachs. Harri's idea of a good game is pretty rough as most of the dogs he plays with out on walks are labs and lab crosses.

 

[Nanny71]

Dudleys best friend is a Welsh collie. They met when they were both six months old.
We visit Kylo daily because his owners work.