Azpointerfam
Posts:3
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| 04/09/2012 12:17 PM |
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Hi everyone.
We are thinking about gettin a gsp pup. I was wondering if you could share your exercise routines? I keep reading about how much exercise they need and it worries me a little.
We are an active family.. He would get a two mile run every day, sometimes two separate runs: one am and one pm. Long hikes or bird training on the weekend. Fetch in our small backyard is possible too. Does this sound like enough for the breed? Thanks! |
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pixie bee
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Posts:4448
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| 04/09/2012 12:59 PM |
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Hi and welcome.
This question has been asked a lot - if you use the search option you will find a few good threads.
I may be the wrong person to answer your question.
I don't give my dogs that much physical daily exercise.
I have owned a few different lines of GSP and not one of my dogs has ever needed exercise to be calm in the home.
I am a believer in teaching manners and rules.
I don't want to be a slave to my dogs.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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MOOSE1
Fruitport, MI
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Posts:1789
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| 04/09/2012 1:52 PM |
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I am with Pixie on this one. I really don't exercise our guys much either. Routine I have found is KEY with these guys. Establishing what you expect out of them from day 1!! And I have also found the MENTAL exercise wares them out more than the physical.
Think of it this way if you say run them 2-3 miles a day daily eventually their bodies are going to be good with that but physically will want MORE cause they are built up to that etc. Kind of like a marathon runner. Where as if you give them some way of releasing that physical energy but also stimulating their minds it will take a lot less to have them chill out in the house etc.
Don't get me wrong our dogs get exercise but we are not ones to take them daily for 2-3 mile excursions etc. But we do work them mentally at least 5 days a week even if it is just short 15-20 min sessions.
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Rajah-APBT- USUV UMJCH Flying High Rajah-TDI Certified
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www.ezydog.com |
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Azpointerfam
Posts:3
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| 04/09/2012 1:57 PM |
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| This is some great info and a bit of a relief. Sounds like decreasing the runs and increasing the mental training has worked well for you. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7835
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| 04/09/2012 2:02 PM |
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| Ditto what everyone else has said. I have 4 shorthairs and they all receive obedience training regularly, even the one that is retired. They also get what I call normal backyard exercise as they spend most days outside playing with each other. For single shorthairs your pup will probably demand a bit more time playing with you since he won't have any other playmate, but as for additional exercise to be calm in the house they are fine. I am like pixie though as I believe in manners, rules and routine. If you have those in place, you won't have any problems. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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tgatto
Lake in the Hills, IL
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Posts:411
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| 04/09/2012 3:23 PM |
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| Like Moose, I do obedience walks 5-days a week (approximately) for 30 min to an hour. I mix in a couple of days of field-work with the obedience (2 - 3 of the days, depending on the need) where Sadie can stretch out a little running. This helps a lot. She used to need 2-times a day, 30 - 45 min, but we found that when we got another dog, they spent so much time wrestling and chasing each other (yes, it can be annoying if we allow it), that they would both pass-out about the time the second walk came around. They can come to expect it, so stick to a schedule. Sadie is now to the point where if I turn off my alarm, she rolls over too (she used to start whinning, which was annoying). "Manners, rules, and routine!" Love that one, TB! |
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It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7835
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| 04/09/2012 5:02 PM |
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| You have to give Pixie credit for the first half and moose credit for the second half. I just put it together. : ) |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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farleyel
Posts:4
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| 04/09/2012 5:46 PM |
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I had the same reservations as you - almost didn’t get a GSP because of all the "hype" I read about their energy level. The truth is they are high energy and do need exercise but every breed "should" be exercised. I am a newbie to the breed so I won’t pretend that I have the experience that these other fine folks that replied have, but I agree with all...training and routine are key. I spend a fair amount of time working on basic obedience with Milo and for exercise we do fun stuff like fetch (ball or Frisbee) and lots of off lead running at the park or in the woods. Teach your pup a strong recall and a good game of fetch along with the other basics and you will have an unbelievable friend who will be well mannered and turn into a couch potatoe at night! I cherish those games of fetch and walks in the woods…I never feel like I am doing it because my dog “has to be exercised”.
I have owned dogs my whole life and loved every one of them but my GSP is special. Puppy hood is a challenge but sooo worth it! Also, if you don’t want an affectionate want-to-be-with-you 60-70lb lap dog, then forget the GSP and get a cat!  |
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smatulewicz
Michigan
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Posts:1188
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| 04/09/2012 6:39 PM |
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Here is what I have found, and several have mentioned in other threads - the more exercise and activity your dog gets used to, the more they will demand it. During the week, Bells is a bit of a couch potato and used to being low key (totally my fault because when I'm not up at 5 am for work, I take full advantage of lazy days...she takes after momma), with maybe a walk in the neighborhood and a few bouts of playing in the yard. She is content with this and very calm in the house. If she feels a little antsy she entertains herself with her toys, or just following us around to monitor what we are doing  During weekends she's a bit nudgy, because she is used to getting to get out and do more. The thing about her energy level is this, when activity and exercise are available and present she can go all day if need be (other breeds may tire sooner), and crashes hard after.
But, they can get bored easily, and a bored GSP is usually a GSP in trouble lol... you just need to find what works for your dog to cure the boredom. Puzzle toys, hide and seek, training sessions (all three things we utilize a lot for indoor mind/physical exercise).
If your dog is getting two runs a day, that's more than Bella gets regularly. We are fortunate to have woods and trails where Bella can off leash run, but she doesn't get this everyday. But at minimum she gets to play outside in the yard. We do a lot of training as well to get her mind going. |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
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Posts:3130
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| 04/10/2012 5:46 AM |
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| I will seconded what a bunch have said so far...I defiantly do not have an exercise routine...mine have been taught manners for in and out of the house... we do have a large fenced in back yard so they do most of their own exercise... I work m-f days and during the school year my boys are gone too at that time...my husband has a mixed schedule...the dogs do love it when he is home and working outside cuz then they are outside all day with him, but he isn't playing with them he is working...when he is on day shift they are home all day they are now trusted out of their cages so they sleep on the couch all day... then when we all get home we are either running off to a doctor appointment or religion class or horse practice...or just tired and wanting to eat dinner and watch TV...some nights my husband will throw the ball down the hallway while we watch TV, but that is about all mine get... |
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knightfarms
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
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Posts:87
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| 04/10/2012 12:38 PM |
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I'm going to jump in with just a bit of a different angle. I exercise the crap out of my dog at least 3 times a week- biking, running off leash, swimming, etc... the off days are either spent hanging out in the back yard or doing obedience drills for short snippets of time.
I think that he's happy to be a city dweller/couch potato on the off days, but he does get restless and annoying about every other day if I don't wear him out. |
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He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -Unknown |
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Smylinacha
Connecticut
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Posts:1208
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| 04/10/2012 6:51 PM |
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| We don't have a major routine but ours both get walked once a day and they EXPECT IT. If it's raining out they seem ok and we play indoors but on a nice day when "that" time comes, Windsor is a huge whiner and won't let up until we go. We can't let them off leash here but they have the yard to play in. And in nice weather they are in the 10 x 10 pen while we aren't home - Velvet runs in circles, actually it's so bad we are getting rid of the stone and putting in some kennel decking in there. |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
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Posts:3130
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| 04/11/2012 5:26 AM |
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| I think the dog adjusts to whatever routine you set up...so if you want to take time to exercise alot and you always want to do that then your dog become accustomed to it...this is if you get them as pups...if you rescue and get them as adults they might be set in their way....Plus every dog is not the same... |
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Dirtysailor
Western PA
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Posts:134
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| 04/11/2012 9:32 AM |
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| I won't say it is the only thing but breeding of the dog has a play on this, traits of the parents can be passed on and they can trained out, but you will need to designate time to do this with any pup. Dogs are creature of habit so when you set the standard they will expect it to be met. |
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weerubbertummy
Ayrshire, Scotland
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Posts:726
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| 04/11/2012 10:45 AM |
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| Agree with everything said so far. I've had 2 girl gsps with COMPLETELY different personalities and requirements. I always felt guilty that i didnt spend enough time exercising my first girl although she seemed happy and content. On getting our 2nd girl i've come to realise with her that too much exercise actually winds her up and leaves her agitated. Definately mental stimulation is more important for her. The one thing i do want to advise on though is please dont underestimate the energy still required to mentally stimulate and incorporate routine into the dog's life - it still takes some effort to do this, just not the same effort as physical exercise. To me the fact that you're on this forum finding these things out would suggest that you're ready to do this. On ye go, get a gsp, you wont regret it! |
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Miss you forever Kintra baby xxx |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4448
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| 04/11/2012 10:46 AM |
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I know that some lines are genetically "programmed" to hyperness.
I also know that much of it can be trainer induced.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Legallyblonde
Otsego MI
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Posts:244
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| 04/13/2012 10:01 AM |
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| I do a lot of exercising with my dogs, but it's more for conditioning purposes than due to any hyper-ness. We also do training for various activities but a chuck-it is my best friend when I'm being lazy : ) |
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UWPCH CA GSJCH USUVCH Boogerman Loverboy Oskar TDI CGC
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therozypozy
MH
Posts:470
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| 04/13/2012 3:03 PM |
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I do exercise my dogs daily with runs (when it is not raining in the morning) and we do training almost daily for obedience and/or agility. But whatever routine you start they do not forget. I was being a little lazy this particular morning and in this video is my youngest GSP telling me where the leashes are as she is ready to go to the lakefront for a run:
http://youtu.be/ST6UycZWVMQ
Both my GSPs are very different. One never wants to stop moving, you see her in the video as she paces around, but when it is time to go to bed, she is out in a second. My other GSP likes to snuggle and lay next to you.
They both have a good work ethic, willing to learn and please, but one just demands more of my time. I suppose it was because for her first 7 years, it was all about her and I gave in alot. Now she has to share my time and well she is always nudging me with her nose to do something.
Roz |
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Rose
MH
Posts:362
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| 04/13/2012 5:33 PM |
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LOL, great video of Java there! Casey talks like that all the time.
We've gotten a bit lazy these few months. These days our dogs get a day trip about once or twice a week where we go to the country and they run free for several hours. We do want to make sure his paw pads stay tough, and to keep him in shape so that he can handle a day of hunting.
In between, they have anywhere from 1 to 3 off days. On these off days, we do light walks or obedience training. Nothing tires him out like focus exercises - the one where he gets most tired from is where he waits and I balance a piece of kibble on his nose. He will even pant from this game, and he always naps after.
When we were both working full-time before (and when our GSP was younger) we would do an hour of outside daily exercise. In hindsight, this was more because I felt bad for him being alone all day. Really all he seems to want to do is hang out with us. |
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smatulewicz
Michigan
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Posts:1188
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| 04/13/2012 9:49 PM |
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Oh, I am SO happy to know that Bella isn't the only one who whines to communicate I'm bored = whine, I need to go out = whine, Mom, the cat won't play with me = whine, I cannot find my favorite toy = whine
@Rose, your routine sounds very similar to ours. Weekends Bella is up and moving almost all day...and content relaxing weekdays. Weekday evenings we play in the yard, run errands, go for a neighborhood walk.
Another easy mental stimulant is taking your dog along on errands with you. Just looking out the window watching the world go by, people watching while I run into places quickly, and forcing herself to stay in her "sit' that we require in the car. She usually ends up laying down and snoozing in the car, and it is no extra work for you (once you get past training good car manners). |
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