Here at Santa Barbara Dog Dude, we get this question almost daily. With variables like age, breed type and temperament it is not an easy answer! There is a definite risk of exercising your puppy too much causing health problems, yet under-exercising can cause you a behavioral nightmare! Various types of bulldog that have short noses should always avoid strenuous activity in general, while ALL dog breeds should avoid strenuous exercise under 6 months of age and when it’s hot because dogs do not have pores to sweat from in order to cool themselves (like we humans) to avoid heat stroke.
So what is a good rule of thumb you might ask? It’s helpful to think of it more like an infant who requires frequent short play periods throughout the day followed by short naps. You may notice that children get more tired when they try something new, experience a new place! This new learning experience far surpasses pure physical exercise because it is mental, and it is the same for puppies.
Very young puppies (8-16 weeks): Very short but frequent play periods / experiences in the house or backyard, followed by rest time. 15-30 minutes, 4-8 times per day.
Some energetic working breed puppies (over fourteen weeks of age) will likely begin to require fifteen to thirty minute actual walks a couple of times per day with play times mixed in between. At twenty-four weeks of age, most working breed puppies can do three thirty minute walks, or spend several hours out on an adventure. Be sure you are going early in the morning when it’s cool!
Past six months of age your dog may have adapted to longer walks. Like us they can build stamina too. Some people even like to use their dog as a running companion. When considering this idea, keep in mind dogs are not built for endurance. Their physiological makeup is designed for quick sprints to catch food! So, if you live in a cooler climate, and have a long-nosed breed who is fit with a low resting heart rate, they could likely accompany you on a three mile run!
*If in doubt, always consult your veterinarian when considering your dogs health.
*Also note that hot weather or excessively cold weather are exceptions to the above.
*Although it is tempting to get that puppy good and tired, it’s important to your young puppies health that you avoid speed walks, running, or long distance.