Walking:

• Unvaccinated (under 4 months) puppies are limited to where and how they can be walked for exercise.  Raisers who live on acreage (that is not visited by unknown dogs) can walk their puppies on a leash or a long line, combining play with a tug toy or interactive play with the handler.  Raisers who live in suburban or low traffic urban areas can walk their puppies on a leash on the sidewalk being certain to avoid grass, light poles, fire hydrants, hedges, i.e. anything on which an  unknown dog may have relieved.  Once the puppy is reliable in its relieving habits walking in a mall or similar area is allowable provided the handler is observant of the pup and does not allow it to become stressed.
• Young puppies can be walked a few blocks at a time.  The handler needs to pay attention to how the puppy is responding.  Distance should be built up gradually as should the number of distractions.
• Exercise of any kind, for puppies of any age, in hot weather should be brief and water must be readily available. 
• Puppies should not be exercised on any kind of treadmill.

Speed Walking:

Speed walking can be very stimulating to some dogs. Only handlers with good control of their puppies should speed walk.  A gradual build up of speed and distance is essential; pups under 6 months should not be ‘speed walked’.   Running or jogging for any distance are potentially harmful to puppy joints and is undesirable leash behavior for a guide dog.

Swimming:

Pools

·         Puppies four months of age and under may be allowed to wade in water; a plastic kiddy pool is safe and fun for the pup on a warm day.

·         Puppies over four months of age can be carefully introduced to a swimming pool on leash at first.  Puppies should not be forced to enter the water. If the puppy enters the water voluntarily the handler should allow it only a few strokes before showing it how to get out of the pool.  This should be repeated several times until the pup knows exactly where the steps are.  Should the pup get into difficulties in the water he must be carefully guided to the steps by the leash.  If he is not on leash someone should be prepared to enter the water and take hold of the pup’s collar and guide him to the steps.

• Puppies must be attended at all times in swimming pool areas.
• If the swimming pool is not securely fenced the pup must be swam on a long line.
• Only swimming pools with steps, as opposed to a ladder, are suitable for puppies to swim in.
• Pools must be fenced so that the pup does not have unattended access.

Ponds, sloughs, lakes, rivers

• Puppies should be at least 4 months and must not be forced to enter the water. 
• Puppies must always be on a leash or long line.
• Bodies of water inhabited by wildlife may be contaminated with bacteria such as giardia; puppies should not swim in areas that would be unsuitable for humans to swim.
• Raisers should be aware of hazards such as submerged branches, fishing line etc.
• A gradual entry into the water is safer and less frightening to the pup than a steep bank; boat ramps and gently sloping banks are excellent entry points.
• Currents can be unpredictably strong; GDB pups should never be swam in a current.
• Raisers must take into consideration the dog traffic; good places for dogs to swim often have off-leash dogs around and are not permissible for a GDB puppy. 
• Raisers must be considerate of humans using the swimming area and their potential resistance to sharing the area with puppies.

Additional precautions

• Young and adolescent puppies must be attended at all times when loose in any area other than a regular kennel run. 
• Older pups, who are no longer prone to garbage mouth, may be left in a fenced yard so long as there is a responsible person at home to check on the pup frequently.
• Constant vigilance should be taken with garbage mouth puppies in yards where they may ingest bark, vegetation etc.
• Younger puppies and all puppies who play ‘keep away’ should always be on a drag-line.
• Active play with other dogs must be supervised and appropriate.  No more than fifteen minutes at a time and no more than a few times weekly.  This does not preclude puppies from ‘hanging out’ with the family pet for extended periods of time; in fact, it is good for a GDB puppy to learn to be in the same room as another dog without constantly bothering, or being bothered, by the other dog.
• Dog parks and other off-leash areas are not permissible for a program puppy.  These off leash areas are frequented by out of control pets and harbor disease.

• Puppies must be at least six months to go hiking. 
• Water should be offered often. 
• Hiking in popular off leash areas where loose dogs are present is not permitted.
• Hiking can be done ‘hands free’ with leash securely attached to handler's belt or backpack.
• The pup’s fitness must be built up gradually.
• Puppies should not be taken on boulders, narrow paths with elevation, or anywhere that requires the handler to do any climbing.

·         The handler should check the pup’s pads frequently. 

·         Always check for ticks after hiking.

• CFR approval is needed before any kind of agility exercise.
• All obstacles must be low and stable.
• Obstacles shall be negotiated slowly and deliberately.
• Two handlers must attend the puppy at all times to ensure safety.
• The puppy must be on leash at all times.
• Obedience commands should be practiced between obstacles.
• Allowing puppies on equipment meant for children at a park is not allowed.