How long should walks be?

[BaconAndAvocado]

I have a 15week old Labrador.
Just googled the above question and have found lots of different answers!

I was under the impression that it was 5 minutes for every month if their life. So I can walk my pup for roughly 20 minutes a day.

Right the 5 minutes thing isn’t a rule - it’s a... don’t do things for too long where they’re not setting the pace as they need to build up to it gradually thing.

So ten minutes to a park, offlead time, ten minutes back is still twenty minutes, and the twenty minutes is also just a rough guide, nothing happens if it’s 21 or 22, lol

Also - it’s not per day, it’s just at a time.... basically little and often builds better supporting muscles than longer periods.

Things like ball throwing are really bad for joints, but unrestricted movement where they can set their own pace are totally fine.

tabulahrasa thank you.
So I could take him for 2 twenty minute walks in a day.
E.g. one in the early morning and one early evening?

Yep - or longer as long as you’re keeping an eye on how much of it is on lead at your walking pace and that bit is being built up gradually.

So wandering aimlessly around the park on the grass isn't part of the 20 minutes?

The 20 minute rule is a guide for lead walking. Off lead, sniffing around the park or garden is fine. Pup can rest when he needs to and isint having to match your pace like when on the lead.

It's a guide to try and stop people walking miles with a young dog. Whilst bones are growing, developing and maturing it's important to build up exercise slowly.

Enjoy your pup!

So glad I posted this!
Looking forward to 2 walks a day!!