I’m going to be the proud owner of a Chihuahua at the end of May.
I was wondering how long the walks should be for this breed when they're puppies...
I obviously don't want to overdo it, so I’m looking for some advice.
Thanks
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
The breeder I’m getting my puppy from told me that I should avoid contact with other dogs until he’s three months old, once his vaccinations are fully up to date.
You just need to make sure the pup stays away from stagnant water and doesn't eat any old rubbish. Don't wait until they've had their jabs to start getting them out and about. Totally agree with @Docline 👍
...for a pup between 2 and 4 months old, it's best to stick to short walks away from other dogs if they haven't had all their jabs yet...
Yeah... but you’ve still got to realise that keeping a puppy away from other dogs is a surefire way to end up with a "problem dog" for the rest of its life.
(Timid dogs are always more likely to be targeted than confident ones.)
Experienced owners instinctively avoid the dodgy spots (dog mess, stagnant water, etc.) but they still make sure the pup gets used to socialising with all sorts of dogs. It really does make life much easier for the dog and for their humans too!
Hi there,
The amount of time you should spend walking your dog depends on their size and age. Small breeds like Chihuahuas don’t need to run for hours on end; a bit of daily exercise is usually plenty for your pet.
When thinking about the length of your walks, you also need to consider your Chihuahua’s age. Puppies are quite boisterous and need lots of exercise spread out across the day, but they do tire out much faster than adult dogs.
It also depends on your dog’s individual personality. If your pet is very active, you’ll need to increase their walk time to prevent them from becoming destructive around the house when you’re out, as well as to avoid joint pain and mental frustration. Generally speaking, Chihuahua puppies have loads of energy to burn!
For a puppy between 2 and 4 months old, it's best to stick to short walks away from other dogs if they haven’t had all their jabs yet; focus on playing with them indoors or in the garden instead. Chihuahuas aged 4 to 8 months can manage one or two 15 to 20-minute walks a day. Finally, if your dog is between 8 months and a year old, a 20 to 30-minute walk is recommended. Don’t forget to bring some water with you, especially if it’s a warm day.
Hope this helps!
Laurine
It’s better to go for short but frequent walks, say 7 or 8 quick 15-minute outings.
That said, you can definitely spend the whole afternoon out to take your pup further afield—to the park, into the shops (if they’re dog-friendly), or to a cafe—to let him meet other dogs (as long as they’re friendly and up to date with their jabs) for his socialisation. Just remember to take plenty of long breaks and maybe pop him in a carrier bag so you don't tire him out! :)