5 month check up/in expert guidance please

[Wotsitsareafterme]

Hi all, wotsitpup is 5 months now (golden show cocker). He is completely toilet trained unless he's in a house where he can't find a door! And his recall is quite impressive now I'm thrilled. He cannot play fetch yet that's next priority. He is desperate to play with other dogs but very non aggressive - lots of compliments from owners of older dogs.
We are on one big walk a day and another shorter one if that was first thing in the morning - I am worried about his joints plus anything over an hour he is very tired though will try.
I am still struggling with chewing/jumping up/getting the bin open and chewing one bit of carpet. Puppy teeth have come out and the mouthing is so much better!
Any wisdom? Is that enough exercise? Should I be doing anything different?
Thanks

You are giving too much exercise.

Remove the bin so he cannot get it open.

He needs to chew, he is a puppy, so supply stag bars and items that he can chew - make sure he has access to these at all times.

Bend down to him so he does not need to jump up and only give attention when he is sitting down to prevent jumping up.

Thanks. Been reading kennel club info about exercise hence question. 20 minutes at a time does seem hardly any but ok I'm no expert!

Concentrate on brain work rather than leg work, Wotsit. 10 minutes of working on 'stay', while you walk away, just a few steps at a time, or teach a trick; 'paw' is good because it's helpful at the vets!

Just as an eg. My working cocker is 9 months, and usually, an inexhaustible pickle. This morning, we went to the park and did 15 mins walk on a long lead, 10 mins on the short lead, and about five mins of 'look at me' - sitting, concentrating and ignoring distractions (a rugby match, ducks, dogs, and joggers). He crashed out as soon as he got home!

At five months, a 25 min walk will be fine

And as Cheerful said, he needs to chew, so channel it into chewing what you want him to do. YY to stag horn. And any time you see him chewing something precious, offer a substitute, and hold it/ play so he finds that more rewarding.

We found giving our puppy something acceptable to chew/destroy saved most of our items. We give empty plastic bottles with all packaging removed and he chews them til theyre crushed - helps the recycling bin too.

Thanks all. I will work on commands over exercise then!

The thing with the exercise is partly as you mention to protect his joints while he's still growing...it's better for them to build up gradually to longer walks.

But also - if walks are the main way you (generic you btw) occupy your dog and tire them out, what you run the risk of is a dog that still needs more mental stimulation but is loads fitter and so needs even more exercise.

Thanks all this has been very helpful. What do you suggest as mental stimulation? What should I be doing?

Training him! Have you joined a training club? It's good fun, it teaches your dog manners and self control and it means that someone else can monitor your progress and see where you're going wrong. Sometimes it's very complex trying to understand a dog's body language and you don't realise what they're picking up on and what you might inadvertently be teaching them to do. It's crucial that you teach them what you want them to learn, reward them at the exact moment and maintain the work. A club with a good trainer is invaluable. For him and you!