Skip to content

How much puppy exercise?

Basenji Talk
  • I've got a 9 week trindle girl, and she really loves being outside in the city to meet people. However, she wants to RUN, and we take her out four times a day! I've read puppies this age only need 10-15 minutes a day of vigorous exercise and shouldn't be over worked, but do basenji puppies need more? We stop as soon as she stops, but it's clear sometimes she pushes herself a bit much. Any advice on moderating puppy exercise?

  • Our pups would run till they drop... LOL.... we have a very large yard and they play hard. Even raising our litters pups were out doors as much as possible to play... or indoors for that matter. I have never restricted exercise. That said it was their play, not forced like jogging or biking... and it was on grass, not hard pavement. Sounds like you are doing just fine with her.
    Who did you get her from? Many of us are related by our Basenjis.

  • I agree with @tanza, there should never be any forced exercise until the bones 'set'. like a human baby until their skull sets, or a race horse are not allowed to race until they are two, so as to allow the bones to set. If they collapse because of their own induced tiredness, then that is okay, but never push them until they are well over 12 months, at least. You are doing right.

  • Thanks so much! Makes me feel better. And I got her from Nocturnal Kennels in NC.

  • Pups will know how much exercise they can cope with and when they are done - they sleep. Main thing is not to force them - no road work at all, for example - until they are 16 or so weeks old and then only in short trips. Then take it easy for a year until they are structurally mature

  • @condesa said in How much puppy exercise?:

    Thanks so much! Makes me feel better. And I got her from Nocturnal Kennels in NC.

    Are the sire/dam DNA tested for Fanconi and PRA? Did you check for yourself at www.ofa.org as DNA tests for Fanconi/PRA are public posted for the results. If not you should have your girl tested. It is a cheek swab that you do yourself. You can order it at www.ofa.org and the cost is 65.00 for each test (Fanconi & PRA)

Suggested Topics

  • 0 Votes
    16 Posts
    13k Views
    E
    @zande thank you so much for your help
  • Trying our patience..

    Behavioral Issues
    18
    0 Votes
    18 Posts
    15k Views
    ZandeZ
    Take him out last thing at night so he can make himself comfy ? I have to take mine out - wimps - they won't go if I don't accompany them. Yes, its freezing and yes its dark. But Keeper's close-up vision is going going gone and he hates excursions into the night without Mom and although I'd much rather stay indoors, if I want to avoid being awoken, middle of the night there is no option. Frankly its a small price to pay for the comfort of two old Basenjis.
  • 1 Votes
    5 Posts
    17k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    All excellent advice, not much I can add. I have a 9 week old Samoyed here and I'm pretty much kangaroo momming him. Right now he's even sleeping with me. Fortunately I have my daughter and her father helping out so I get some breaks, and my daughter does most of it when she's home 2 days a week. Samoyed are extremely people needy, but honestly I am the one who can't bear him being on his own too much this early. Even with doctor appointments, he has a crate in the living room so Larry can take him out to play/potty and snuggle (since I'm usually gone 5 to 6 hrs some days). Easy adjustment.. put in crate, happy voice "i'll be back" and leave. Go out the door and leave alone at least 15 mins. Keep extending it over several days until you are up to a couple of hours. By that point, they do get you will come back. Just no drama, no soothing poor baby stuff... nonchalant. Happy leaving, happy return. Make sure safe toys, chews in crate. If you can arrange it so her work and your's don't quite overlap so he's no alone more than 4 hrs, that would be idea. If not... swap out coming home for lunch break? Good luck.. and please post pictures :) Also, where did you get him? A lot of the basenjis here are related. (My basenji now is a rescue so not related.) It's nice to see the connections though!
  • Puppies

    Basenji Talk
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    CrazySenjiC
    From what I've seen (well bred) basenji puppies range from $900-$1500 depending on show quality. Like Krunzer said, puppies are cute but are A LOT of work. I've raised 2 basenjis and 2 goldens and while a lot of it is the same.. the basenjis seem to discover new ways to be mischievous that my goldens would never have dreamed of doing. Be prepared to replace many MANY things because odds are they will destroy them! Elliot isn't a climber but my last one was so even things high up on tables and counters were not safe from him. My current B is 10 months and going though the "I forgot every good behavior you taught me" phase. This includes trying to jump off the table at shows to play with the other dogs and the judge @______@. Now that I've strayed away from the topic.. A BRAT, rescue or retired show dog might be the best fit for you! I know of several breeders who will sell their retired show dogs because they simply can't keep them all. Before I got my first B I looked into purchasing a finished champion to learn how to show dogs with but ended up with a puppy.
  • Basenji puppies

    Basenji Talk
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    4k Views
    dmcartyD
    When we say responsible for the dogs forever - we do really mean forever. I have animals returned to me when they were 9 years old because of significant family issues or death of the owner - I currently have a 12 year old and a 7 year old that now live with me. Think about what that means - because even those of us who are prepared for that - really are never prepared for the impact on our families houses and other dogs. You say you want to keep 2 - be advised that the everyone hanging out together in basenji world is NOT the norm. Most can have 1 male and 1 female - if you are planning on keeping 2 - you may have a problem - not right away but eventually you are likely to do so. I am not sure that I remember who or where Chaos came from but fanconi testing and eye testing for PRA would be critical as well as thyroid screening. What titles does she have - is she a fast as the wind Field CH or Obedience or rally or conformation CH. That would allow you to have evidence that she has characteristics that are valuable to the breed as a whole and quite frankly if all you want are a couple more basenjis - there are many many out there that could use a forever home. In any event - think about it - it's not as easy as you think - if you are going to do it right - and finding good homes is also not as easy as you think. You may not have the experience in weeding out puppy mills who might want your pups and living where you do - you are in the midst of some that do produce basenjis.
  • We found a puppy!

    Basenji Talk
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    G
    Nice looking pup. Congrats G