One of the most energetic dogs of all time is the Springer Spaniel, a breed of worker canines who’ve shown their intelligence, desire to please, and good temperament throughout history. So, it’s no surprise that you’ve become a recent parent to one. However, I hope you’re ready to do a lot of exercise throughout your life.
You should walk your Springer Spaniel puppy five minutes for every month of its age. (i.e., Take your puppy’s age in months and multiply it by five.) Therefore, you should walk a three-month-old Springer Spaniel puppy for 15 minutes daily. A five-month-old should be walked for 25 minutes daily.
In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss why and how often Springer Spaniel puppies need to be walked, when’s the best time to take your Springer Spaniel for a walk, and how early you should start walking your pup. I’ll also remind you of four important things to know before you walk them.
Why Do Springer Spaniel Puppies Need to Be Walked Often?
Springer Spaniel puppies need to be walked often because they have so much energy. Originally, people bred these pups as hunting dogs. They were meant to run between the field and the hunter all day without getting tired. They still retain this level of energy and therefore need to be walked often.
If your puppy doesn’t get their required daily dose of exercise, it could lead to destructive behaviors like whining, chewing, and unnecessary barking.
The Spaniel breed was not meant to lead a sedentary lifestyle. They won’t get the physical and mental stimulation they require to remain healthy if they do.
This could lead to the following ill effects:
- They could become obese. An unhealthy and obese lifestyle could drastically shorten their lifespan.
- They could develop a mental disorder. These dogs could become depressed and overly anxious, leading to significant behavioral issues.
- They could decide to break away from you. It’s part of a Springer Spaniel’s breeding and training to work tirelessly, and if they don’t get that, they could break away from you and go on their own hunting adventure.
How Often Should a Springer Spaniel Puppy Be Walked?
As I’ve stated, your puppy needs to be walked 5 minutes daily for every month of their age.
So, take your puppy’s age in months and multiply it by 5 minutes. That’s how much you should be walking your puppy daily.
This also means that as your puppy gets older, the amount of exercise they need will also increase.
You can walk your Springer Spaniel pup once per day, twice at most. Overtired puppies can get easily annoyed. If this happens, they’ll start to lash out at you because instead of calming down, they get overstimulated. That often results in manic behavior.
When your pup gets older, you can take them for regular walks throughout the day instead of all at once because Spaniels are used to expending their energy during the entire day.
You may also be concerned that too much activity may result in bone and joint issues for your pup. This is a legitimate concern for any dog owner, so you’ll need to monitor your pup’s energy levels closely.
If you find that they’re slowing down or slacking considerably, it’s time to call it a day.
The following article from my site, How To Lead Train a Springer Spaniel: The Complete Guide, should come in handy when you start training your Springer to walk. The article includes a lot of helpful tips to get your Springer walking calm and obedient. A few items I recommend are a PoyPet Harness and a very durable collar that won’t break the bank (both available on Amazon.com). Make sure you get the correct sizes for your dog.
When Is the Best Time to Take Your Springer Spaniel Puppy for a Walk?
According to Animal Wised, you should follow a regular walking schedule regardless of the time of day you choose to walk your pup. This is because dogs like routine, and following one will keep them in anticipation, and they’ll be less stressed.
Mornings would be the best time to take your Springer Spaniel puppy for a walk. Walking in the morning is cooler than walking in the middle of the day. Additionally, mornings are when Springer Spaniels are most active, and it allows them to relieve themselves after a long night.
Take your dog to a quiet, open area like a park and try to avoid busy streets.
The next best time would be the evening as your dog can wind down. Try not to do any strenuous exercises; a relaxed stroll will suffice.
You can also walk your dog during the afternoons; however, it tends to be hotter, which may result in them getting sick. Furthermore, your surrounding areas will get busy, which can stress your Spaniel out.
Also, remember that your dog’s walking schedule will vary with their energy levels and age. So, there’s no one size fits all; you just need to monitor and observe your dog’s needs.
When Should You Start Walking Your Springer Spaniel Puppy?
You should start walking your puppy after you’ve had them fully vaccinated and your veterinarian has approved outdoor activities. Waiting until your pup is vaccinated reduces the risk of disease or illnesses picked up from other animals they may come in contact with on their walk.
According to My Family Vets, you’ll be able to take your puppy for a walk two weeks after their second shot.
4 Crucial Things to Know Before You Walk Your Springer Spaniel Puppy
Here are four essential things to keep in mind before you put your pup on the leash and take him for a walk:
Be Creative
Springer Spaniels are an intelligent breed and require mental stimulation in addition to physical stimulation.
Simply walking with no playtime can get boring for them, and may lead to destructive behavior. So, it’s good to incorporate games into their walk.
You can play various games with them, such as:
- A scent game
- Fetch – The ChuckIt! Sports Ball Launcher (available on Amazon.com) is the perfect for Springer Spaniels.
- Obstacle courses
- Hide and seek (a searching game)
Also, get creative and come up with your own games. You should also change things up every day, so they don’t get bored.
Never Push Your Dog
It’s true that Springer Spaniels are an energetic breed, but that doesn’t mean they never get tired.
Especially as puppies, it’s normal for them to get lethargic and lag. When this happens, call it a day, and go home. Never push your puppy past its energy level, as doing so can make them sick.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Springer Spaniels love to please their owners. So, reward them and use encouraging sentiments when walking or playing with them.
If you show a negative attitude, they will pick up on your mood and lose confidence. This can set back their training and make them distrust you, especially if you openly scold them.
Below are my recommended treats for showing positive reinforcement:
- Freeze-Dried Training Treats for Dogs: There are more than 475 beef liver and sweet potato treats in one bag, making it the best choice for your money. Additionally, these treats are very nutritious and so your Springer Spaniel puppy will be more trainable with these treats.
- A BETTER TREAT – Freeze Dried Salmon Dog Treats: These are freeze-dried salmon, thus serving as high nutrition treats encouraging your Springer Spaniel puppies during training. Since they aren’t too heavy or greasy, they’ll be suitable for training.
Keep Them off the Leash in a Safe, Open Area
Unfortunately, Springer Spaniels aren’t one to be tied down. So, let them explore their surroundings and play in a safe, quiet, open area.
Of course, you’ll have to be extra cautious with them because they can get too excited and disappear. It’s best to let them explore in safe, fenced-in areas.
Check out my article, How To Train a Springer Spaniel To Come Back if you plan on letting your Springer off leash.
Final Thoughts
Springer Spaniels are a lovable breed that tick all the boxes in your “perfect companion wish list.” However, they can be a handful.
That’s why they are suited to homes that are also as highly energetic as they are.
You must ensure that your puppy gets the adequate amount of walking they need for their age.
This will help them grow into the healthy, beautiful dog they’re supposed to be. It will also give you peace of mind that your puppy’s needs are well taken care of.