Answering the question, ‘how much exercise should a dog get,’ involves understanding your dog’s unique needs. That’s because there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to exercising a dog.
Making general assumptions could lead to overexercising or under-exercising your dog. Both of these issues can result in bad behavior or even injury.
In this article, we discuss how much exercise does a dog need based on several factors. Continue reading to learn what your dog needs for a happy and healthy life.
Deciding How Much Exercise Should a Dog Get
How much exercise should a dog get involves considering age, breed, type of exercise, and overall health. While every dog is different, it helps to start with these considerations. However, keep in mind that it’s worth talking with your vet to determine an exercise plan unique to your dog.
Age
Take a moment to consider the difference between a puppy and a senior dog. Puppies seem to have an endless supply of energy whereas senior dogs tend to tire out quickly. They have very different exercise needs to be happy and healthy.
Puppies
Puppies have a lot going on. They experience short bursts of high energy and are constantly growing and changing. They might be running around the house one minute to falling asleep in their food bowl the next minute.
This is why we recommend short 5-10 minute exercise sessions. Going on several short walks a day is better than taking one long hike. The latter can be too hard on your puppy while they grow and develop.
Adults
The amount of exercise needed for an adult dog is dependent more on its breed and general health. However, exercising a dog that’s fully grown means longer, even sessions as opposed to the short, high-energy spurts that a puppy needs.
Seniors
Your dog will likely start to slow down as they mature into senior doghood. They probably can’t run or walk as long or as far as they used to and that’s ok.
However, be sure to consider this reduction in exercise when it comes to feeding. Less exercise means fewer calories burned. To avoid obesity, it’s important to talk with your dog’s vet about how to walk a dog that’s becoming a senior as well as how to adjust their diet.
Breed
Exercising a dog properly involves considering how their breed affects exercise. Some dog breeds are naturally high-energy. Examples of high-energy breeds are retrievers, labs, shepherds, and hounds.
These active breeds need about 1 to 2 hours of exercise daily. Be sure to include tougher exercises like running or hiking to burn more energy. Longer sessions of moderate play, such as at doggy daycare are also a good idea for these breeds.
In contrast, some breeds require less exercise. Lower-energy dog breeds include toy breeds, giant breeds, and brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed breeds such as pugs and bulldogs).
These less active breeds only require about an hour or less of play daily. For some of these breeds, a slow walk is best. Other dogs might do better with a short game of fetch.
Type of Exercise
Exercise isn’t just knowing how to walk a dog. In fact, the kind of exercise achieved from running or walking a dog isn’t the only type of important exercise.
Mental activities are great stimulation for your dog, especially if they are considered a working breed. You can stimulate your dog’s mind with puzzle toys, obedience training, and other fun games. These types of activities are great for dogs that are less active or have limited mobility.
However, physical exercise is also important. A less-active dog may like a gentle walk around the block while an active dog might enjoy a long hike. Just make sure you have the right equipment like this dog harness and leash set.
Overall Health
Exercise needs change based on your dog’s overall health. We discussed how age can play a role in your dog’s activity level and part of the effect has to do with general health.
This also applies to dogs suffering from overweight or obesity. To get your dog to a healthy weight, they need a gradual increase in duration and difficulty of exercise.
You also need to consider how an illness or condition might affect their activity when asking “how often should I walk my dog”. A sick dog may have less energy. That’s why it’s important to talk with your vet about exercise when it comes to injury or illness.
Exercising a Dog Too Much
Some owners asking, “how much exercise does a dog need,” are surprised to find out that you can over-exercise your dog. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread quarantines, dogs have been receiving too much exercise. This is because pet parents are stuck at home and as a result have become more active in general.
However, the problem isn’t with the amount of exercise. It’s more about the lack of gradual increase in the length or duration of activity. Too much too soon can increase your dog’s odds of becoming injured.
Exercising a Dog Too Little
In contrast, to overexercise, exercising a dog too little can also be detrimental. Inactivity can lead to behavior issues, obesity, and other health problems.
For example, an active breed dog that doesn’t get enough exercise might become destructive. Also, a dog that is overweight from a lack of exercise can develop arthritis and heart issues. It’s all about balance.
The Power of Understanding How Much Exercise a Dog Should Get
By taking the time to understand how much exercise a dog should get, you’re well on your way to a happy, healthy dog. Asking the right questions will get you even further in reaching this goal.
As we said, exercise is very dog-specific. Consider their age, breed, and overall health. Also, don’t be afraid to chat with your vet about your dog’s unique needs.
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