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Veterinarians, breeders, and trainers all seem to agree that too much activity is as dangerous as not enough, yet there is no universal formula for evaluating your puppy’s exercise needs. While it would be ideal if there was a chart that broke down pups by breed and age and described how much activity they need each day, the reality is more difficult.
Some of the misunderstandings around puppies and exercise arise from a mix of scientific data, a range of personal anecdotes, and the Internet’s misinformation. Overall there are several methods to exercise, each with advantages and disadvantages.
How much physical activity does a Puppy Need?
Although we don’t have specific measurements, there are a few commonsense factors that might help you to keep your puppy active and healthy. Consider your dog’s breed. Both a Bulldog and a Border Collie will enjoy playing, but a Border Collie will likely have a higher activity tolerance than a Bulldog, as well as a better heat tolerance for outside play.
The size of the breed is also important. Several studies have found a relationship between excessive activity and orthopedic illness in large-breed dogs. Forcing your 8-week-old Great Dane on a daily two-mile walk, for example, is generally not a good idea, even if he can keep up. Most people would not take a smaller-breed puppy on such a lengthy trek, but larger breeds, with higher energy, can trick us into believing they require longer walks than is healthy for them.
How much exercise your dog needs every day will change as they grow, make sure this growth is something you can keep up with. When your puppy is young, doctors recommend that you restrict his or her exercise to short walks and several play sessions throughout the day, with plenty of time for naps in between. Older puppies will demand extra activity. A six-month-old dog may be able to take long walks or even brief jogs, but long excursions over difficult terrain or intense agility courses are still risky. It helps to gradually introduce longer walks for your puppy, taking lots of stops to protect him from wearing out or injuring himself.
Here’s an article from the AKC about exercise for your pup.
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This video has some great information on safe amounts of time for consistent exercise! :