Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Springer Spaniel Exercise - Five Top Tips

These five recommendations for springer spaniel
exercise cover the amount and types of exercise
for pup and adult. It is important to remember
that springers are bred for endurance - long days
hunting in the field and swimming to retrieve -
they are not bred for lots of sprinting - so
their exercise profile will be different to that
of a greyhound, for example. Also, young pups can
be damaged by too much exercise.

Tip #1

Remember that dogs live their lives at seven
times the rate that we humans do, so a 5 month
old pup is only capable of what a 3 year old
child can handle - so a 3 mile walk is not on for
a 5 months old pup. 5-10 minutes should be
enough, growing to 20 minutes or so at 6 months
and then gradually upwards to 45 minutes for a
fully grown springer. They can do lots more, but
that should be the minimum on a daily basis with
a couple of longer walks on weekends. As the dog
moves through middle age, then they require less
exercise - tune in to them and you will know when
they are tiring and learn to taper the exercise
periods.

Tip #2

Springers love to swim, so if there is a safe and
slow river or stream, pond or lake close to you
or within driving distance, then a weekly
swimming session is great exercise, and you can
encourage them with retrieves. A stick is easy
for them to grip in the water - a ball can
skitter away. Mine loved the sea, though salt
water in their coat should be washed out with
fresh from a garden hose. If you can put up with
the mess or clean him off nearby, then letting
him walk in the mud on a marsh is great exercise
for his legs.

Tip #3

Springers are called that because they spring
game birds out of the undergrowth - jumping into
the air. This is good for the haunches, but not
advisable until the dog is a year old as joints
and ligaments are not sufficiently mature before
that. They will in any case jump of their own
accord. They are tremendously agile and throwing
a dummy (maybe an old sock or glove with a piece
of wood inside) into the bushes is great fun for
them.

Tip #4

Don't make them sprint too much - they are
endurance dogs not sprinters. This is especially
important when they are very young as this can
affect their bone, joint, ligament and muscle
development, so that they do not grow with the
normal conformation of the breed. Some people say
that running the dog hard gives him long legs.
The underlying risk to his build and joints is
definite when very young.

Tip #5

With a springer pup enjoying his exercise and
being hard to slow down then you may detect signs
of soreness in the limbs, perhaps by a change in
gait, or early tiredness and wanting to lie down.
We used to call it growing pains in children when
the joints ache during the night. There are some
homeopathic remedies available for pups, which
appear to be effective. If you do detect signs of
this, then cut down the exercise for a few days,
and if there is no improvement then discuss it
with your veterinarian. You can also massage his
limbs.

Finally, before walking him in the open country,
be certain your recall works when it should and
keep an eye out for sheep and cattle. Just
remember the country code. And don't forget
your camera - they are such fun loving dogs that
you will always come back with at least one great
shot!

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The author has kept springer spaniels for many
years. Springer spaniel exercise has revolved
around estuaries and beaches with lots of
swimming. Discover more about exercising your
springers at =>
http://www.springerspanieladvice.com/exercising-yo
ur-english-springer/ . There is a lot more about
keeping springer spaniels at =>
http://www.springerspanieladvice.com .

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