Eddy562 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Hello, I have 3 month old Siberian Husky, I have read different things online about when would be the proper age to start running with him. I take him on walks everyday and on some days he pulls because he wants to run. I read that you shouldn't let him run until 6-12 months. Is this correct? I am not forcing him to run, he just "wants to run". Thanks in advance -Eddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 hi there there are various opinions about when you should start running your dog, but IMO 6 months is way too early. Some sources say that 12 months is old enough though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyMom09 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Structured exercise from 4-6mos should be kept to 20-30 mins. Running should be put off until 12 months, pulling weight 12-18 months. This is to protect the growth plates from damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy562 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Ok, so if he gets the urge to run when I take him for a walk just pull him back by my side? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 [MENTION=8771]Eddy562[/MENTION] Yes. You have to correct your dog for pulling. He has to know the difference between you and a sled. Sleds can be pulled, but humans can't you can teach this by training him to walk besides you in a collar and pull hard when he's on a x-back harness (for pulling weights) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy562 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Thanks! This is my first husky and am just thankful for resources like this to help me out. I appreciate the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyMom09 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Ok, so if he gets the urge to run when I take him for a walk just pull him back by my side? Thanks! Are you enrolled in puppy obedience classes? I'd suggest starting early and trying to instill a walk loose leash and in a heel position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy562 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Are you enrolled in puppy obedience classes? I'd suggest starting early and trying to instill a walk loose leash and in a heel position. I have not enrolled him in a class, I can't afford to at the moment. I'm looking at probably next month to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyMom09 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 The only other thing I would suggest in invest in a martingale style collar to walk your pup, not sure what you are using now but harnesses encourage pulling. I walk all of mine in White Pine collars with great success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy562 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 The only other thing I would suggest in invest in a martingale style collar to walk your pup, not sure what you are using now but harnesses encourage pulling. I walk all of mine in White Pine collars with great success. Yeah, I do have a body harness for him. I never liked using regular neck collars, I guess it's just me but I get the feeling that I'll choke or hurt him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyMom09 Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Yeah, I do have a body harness for him. I never liked using regular neck collars, I guess it's just me but I get the feeling that I'll choke or hurt him. That's probably what's prompting the desire to 'run'. Harnesses encourage the natural ability of the breed to do what they were bred to do, which is fine if that's what you are wanting them to do but not at 3 months. Martingale collars will give a slight snugging which will encourage them to want to walk nicer without harm. Don't worry about neck damage, this is a working breed not a toy breed or delicate neck breed like greyhounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 (edited) I use a martingale collar for my boy as well. He pulls like crazy with anything else - harnesses, no-pull harnesses, head collars, flat collars. I've tried almost everything - except for the prong collar - and the martingale is the only thing that stops him from pulling like a possessed steam train. It doesn't hurt them, not if they are used correctly and are tight enough. EDIT: And they are not the same as a 'choke chain'. The chokers close all the way - Martingales only close half of the way and the one I have (atleast) is mostly covered with fabric so it doesn't damage the neck fur. Edited October 14, 2012 by SolitaryHowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy562 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I use a martingale collar for my boy as well. He pulls like crazy with anything else - harnesses, no-pull harnesses, head collars, flat collars. I've tried almost everything - except for the prong collar - and the martingale is the only thing that stops him from pulling like a possessed steam train. It doesn't hurt them, not if they are used correctly and are tight enough. EDIT: And they are not the same as a 'choke chain'. The chokers close all the way - Martingales only close half of the way and the one I have (atleast) is mostly covered with fabric so it doesn't damage the neck fur. Is this the one? http://img1.etsystatic.com/006/0/7067400/il_fullxfull.354913949_6ptt.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieferwolf Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 I would get him one of these put them in puppy classes it does help all of ours bar our foster/adoption boy have gone through them he Is booked in for three weeks time. It will help with socialisation/lead work http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ancol-Nylon-Collar-Choke-Medium/dp/B001RHKJ42/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0 harnesses when they get too 10-12 I would use them walk your dog on the half check upto some where you can run him/her safely. Once they get up to your chosen running spot then pop the harness on, this will help the dog associate running with putting the harness on. Which will be useful if you decide too do any mushing or cani cross Try and avoid running them on concrete/hard old disused railway lines etc as its harder on the joints knees of the dog. Field/muddy set of woods be good. I did this my my lot/and am still doing it lol our boy I am just getting him upto running about 1-2km my girl is too young. re the age to run him I wouldn't until they are at least 10- 12 months old, once they hit 12 months old still do everything steady away. Ie run them maybe once per week, and say 100metres, following week up it too say 200 metres and so on. Once there doing say couple km no bother then maybe up it too two runs a week. its hard to do I know as a sibes nature is too run, but as already said its worth the wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieferwolf Posted October 16, 2012 Report Share Posted October 16, 2012 What you could also do I don't know if you fancy doing any bikejoring or mushing/cani cross down the line with your dog but you could maybe start teaching them the commands ie hike haw gee whoh on bye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddy562 Posted October 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 Thanks for all the help! I ended up buying the martingale collar and it worked AMAZINGLY! I was really surprised, I am on my 3rd day using it and I love it. I feel like we can both enjoy the walk now. THANKS REALLY APPRECIATE THE HELP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieferwolf Posted October 26, 2012 Report Share Posted October 26, 2012 That's great news :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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