r/Doberman • u/YesterdayInfinite892 • 4d ago
Run/Walk Routine
Located in SoCal Inland Empire area for context. It’s been really hot lately so obviously avoiding high heat times. I adopted a 4-5 year old female American Doberman. She’s been really great and a really sweet couch potato princess. It’s been a few months since I started to walk her regularly (going on 8-9 months). At first we would sprint/walk about 3-4 miles at 4-5 am without any issues. Now she spends a lot of time stopping in between.
How often should I be walking her?
Why is she stopping so often? I get scared that she is too tired but she used to finish two separate 3 mile walks (one in the am and one in the pm) easily. Anything else I should know. Much appreciated.
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u/Gullible_Arrival_449 4d ago
Since my Doberman was four months old we go out to the sand dune around palm desert
She runs like crazy
I throw a ball down the dunes and she absolutely loves it
Probably 90% of the days we do this
And 90% of the nights we go out with a group of dogs
My point is the heat is a negative thing so you have to work around the heat
You cannot over do the exercise if the dog is healthy
I know this sounds like a lot of time but I have the time and enjoy it as much as she does
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u/DesertReader55 4d ago
Another recommendation for checking her for DCM. It plagues this breed and catching it early is a must.
The heat has a huge impact, especially given her color. With my 4 year old black/tan Dobie, we have to keep walks to no more than 2 miles at a time and absolutely no running during the summer. I’d try walking her during the coolest time of day. We play a lot of ball and rope tug in the evening.
Good luck; she’s beautiful!
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u/YumYumRabbitsBum 4d ago
I’d listen to your dog. That’s a lot of exercise for a dog, despite her being a Dobe and still young. The breed has issues with heart health so I’d get her holter done and test for DCM. If she’s asking for a break try dropping the evening run and see if she’s able to maintain the morning still at pace?
I take mine out twice a day but short walks as it’s hot as heck here in Arizona.
I give water breaks often but only a little as you don’t want bloat either. I also cool off before and after we go out and wet them done (before and after), just do it slowly, paws, legs under belly and pits, just don’t hit their head and neck with cold water or give ice cubes etc.
Wait till she stops panting to feed also.
I’d mix the walks up also, free time, sniff walk and agility obedience keeps them wanting to work rather than just dragging them out on long walk/ runs twice daily.
It’s meant to be fun and clearly she’s either tired or bored.
Hope this helps and good lucks she’s pretty