Five minutes per month of life?

[WeAll]

I am trying to get this right with my puppy and exercise, but some guidance says five minutes per month of life plus five minutes, some says five minutes per month of life twice a day. Others say just walk for the five minutes per month in total for the day.

What did you do?

We took her out for 5-10 minute walks whenever she needed to go out.
We didn't exercise her on top of that - there's simply no need.

Now that she's older, we can go for much longer walks and can exercise her. When she's tired, we'll stop and go home.

For me, a garden is not necessary and should not really be the dog's toilet area. Instead we take her out for walks in the neighbourhood - as this allows her to use her nose and read the doggy newspaper - something that she cannot do in a garden.

I think that the 5 minute rule has been largely discredited, Lonecat on here is a vet and has had access to research material that substantiates this new stance, joint problems are likely to be linked to genetics and weight I think.

Out dog toilets largely out on walks but he also has a designated spot in the garden where he can toilet, usually first thing and last thing. We taught him a command to toilet initially then praised and treated when he went onthe spot, didnt take long.

Training tires dogs out too so worth continuing.

Actually, you didn't ask about toileting, sorry - I am tired today

My dog's orthopedic specialist still says it's better to do small walks building them up gradually.

Which is really what the 5 minutes thing is about - so ok, you don't need to overthink it, but I wouldn't disregard it completely if you have a large or giant breed puppy.

You don't need to be so precise that you're worrying about an extra five minutes though.

I am really asking because my boys would appreciate longer walks but we are limited by the puppy to 15 minutes a day at the moment!

Oh not a day btw - at a time.

But, that doesn't help you with longer walks, lol. Walk them separately sometimes, take them somewhere they can run about and don't let the puppy do it, carry the puppy part of the way...

Yes I could try to carry him I guess, but he is quite heavy already! I will give it a go!

I think that five minute rule is absolute bollocks unless you've got a Great Dane. My two collies were walking miles at very young ages, they are absolutely fine.

The 5 minute rule was "invented" by JohnW, a gundog trainer who posts on the labrador forum. As he says, its doesn't have to be exact. To me it makes sense to be careful with labs, they're big exuberant puppies and don't have an off switch. It takes time to develop muscle to support the joints.
It may not be so important for other breeds, such as collies.

As a pup I walked my lab for about 20/30 minutes twice a day from the time she was able to go out. It seemed the right amount without tiring her too much.

If you look at it like this, a working border collie needs the same exercise as a shitzu at the same age?
Clearly some common sense needs to be employed even without the theory being debunked :)

As far as I know, it's only ever been considered really important with large fast growing breeds prone to joint problems anyway and it's about not aggravating a mild issue that may already be there - not preventing damage in a completely fine puppy.

If you've got a bull terrier where the breed average hip score is 7 you can be much less careful than if you have a bulldog with a breed average of 44...

It is just about common sense, but, it's a useful way of thinking - instead of having to actually think about when to increase walks and how far you've walked, but it's not a case of timing it exactly or anything.

It's just a way of remembering to build up fitness slowly and don't walk their wee legs off, lol.