Overwalked?

[zippedydoo]

Name changed and changed a few minor details as think our dog walker comes on here.
Recently got a puppy. She’s almost 4 months old.
We use a dog walker and have asked that she’s not walked more than 20 minutes at a time, due to this being the recommendation and her being so young. So dog walker was doing 30 minute visits.
So today dog walker asked if she could walk her with 2 other dogs, around a national trust type place. She said she’s got a dog buggy, so if puppy gets tired then she can get popped in there.
I came home this afternoon and puppy is absolutely hanging. She’s slept for about 5 hours in a row which she never does.
Turns out that dog walker thought puppy was having so much fun that she let her walk for over an hour.
Am I being precious or should I be annoyed about this?
She said it’s fine to exercise them this much as a one off from puppy age, but honestly my pup can barely lift her head out of her bed.
I’m all for wearing dogs out, but she is absolutely shattered. The most she’s walked previously is 20 minutes and she’s only been allowed out for walks for the past 2 weeks after injections.
Just worried by how lethargic she looks.

Same

OP your instincts are right this is much too much for a 4 month old puppy. I cannot stress this enough!! You dog walker is being either deliberately stupid or lazy, as a professional she should know how bad it is for their bodies and esp joints to be overexercised. She is only suggesting the social walks as it would be more convenient for her, I'd bet my last pound on it. You dog can join in when older.

Trust me, if something happens to your puppy (like it ends up with joint problems) then you will never forgive yourself and your dog will have potentially a lifetime of pain ahead. Be strong!

I really don’t think you’re being precious at all. Over exercising when young can cause serious issues. It’s taken me two years to build up to much longer walks. I am precious about it. She also uses a ramp to get in the car. You can’t undo damage once it’s done.

We had similar with our chihuuwjen someone popped in and walked her as a favour
She was so limp that she couldn’t eat OR drink. Had to give her a bit of sugar water to give her a bit of energy and get her fluids up. She then ate and perked up but still slept solid all night.
Little bodies

You’re not being precious of difficult at all. The dog walker is chancing their arm and I would argue, showing their ignorance (which would niggle me).
I would categorically not being doing an hour sociable walk that regularly with a 4 month old.
Your dog is your priority and whilst you want them to be as happy and sociable as possible, you also have to put their long term health and happiness first.

Sorry, posted too soon. After all, your dog walker isn’t going to have to pay the vets bills for joint problems or the hydrotherapy physio therapy or face the painful decision of having to make brutal choices for your dog much earlier than anyone should have to.
Sorry, that sounds rather dramatic but you wouldn’t be doing anything else “bad” for your dog on a routine basis, so this should e the same decision.

I would be really quite furious and although I probably wouldn’t ‘have it out’ as it were with the dog walker I would terminate her contract.

The fact she was having a great time means nothing really, they don’t always know what is best for them.

My collie for example would play ball until she couldn’t stand steady if you let her.
Doesn’t mean it is any good for her!

The walker should be well aware of the guidelines, she has no business dog walking if not.
And even if she wasn’t, she has deliberately gone against you.
She knew you specifically wanted 20 minutes and she had agreed to provide that.

The guidelines on exercising puppies are there for a reason. It's your job to advocate for your dog. I'm sure your dog would like unrestricted access to the biscuits too, but we don't let puppies decide what's best. That's what the owner and dog walker are for. Personally I'd consider getting another dog walker. It sounds like she thinks she knows best and isn't willing to consider another opinion. This is unlikely to change.

I'd be looking for another dog walker in your shoes.

Very convenient for her to be able to 'kill two birds with one stone' but she should be working with you and for you and doing what's best for your puppy, which would probably be to walk her on her own at the moment, not what's easiest for her work schedule.

She sounds as if her knowledge of puppies is a somewhat limited tbh. Surely most sensible dog owners know that a puppy will carry on running and playing until it exhausts itself, especially if there are other dogs around. However most sensible dog owners, and certainly an experienced dog walker, should have enough sense to nip the play in bud before the puppy gets to the collapsing stage.

It's not something to be proud of to exhaust a young puppy like that, I'm not surprised you've been worried.

I’ve known a dog whose joints were damaged by over walking. You’re not wrong to be cautious while they’re puppies.

She sounds great for an adult dog but just not experienced enough at caring for young puppies. If I felt she truly understood that it can’t happen again then I would give her another chance but otherwise I’d be looking for a different dog walker.