How Much Exercise Does A Dog Need?
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Mar 23, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Dog experts often recommend daily exercise for canines to prevent behavioral problems.
The reason for this advice is clear: a well-exercised dog is able to release nervous energy and will nap instead of engaging in behaviors that will become a major problem.
A period of daily exercise will not only keep him fit, but it will also keep him emotionally stable so you can enjoy his company more throughout the day.
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Tips To Get Your Dog Exercising
Here are a few ideas for providing daily exercise for your canine companion:
A Morning Walk
A brisk morning walk around the block or in a park area can be the perfect start for both your day and your dog’s day.
The physical workout will work out the kinks from the night’s sleep and get both you and your dog into the outdoor air.
You will start your day with a better attitude, and your dog will be relaxed and ready to sleep while you head off to work.
The Midday Ramble
Some breeds, such as Dalmatians, pointers and border collies, are more active than others and need more frequent opportunities to walk, run and sniff.
If you are fortunate enough to be home during the day, you can provide a midday ramble through the neighborhood with your dog.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
If you are at work during the day, consider hiring a dog walker to come in at midday.
Your dog will look forward to the company and will benefit from the additional physical exercise.
An Evening Outing
If you are a runner, by all means, take your canine friend with you. Make sure you accommodate his water needs, as well as your own.
Also, make sure you provide rest periods.
Remember, your dog is wearing a full fur coat and can only sweat through his paws and through panting.
Evening Play
Your dog will enjoy an evening play period after you get home from work.
You can set up a simple obstacle course with pillows, blankets and a hula-hoop for jumps.
A small workout like this will allow him to enjoy some additional exercise and will provide bonding time for you and your dog.
Read more: 4 Fun Ways To Bond with Your Puppy
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Exposure to New Sights and Sounds
Another good way to ensure your dog uses up his nervous energy is to provide exposure to new sights and sounds.
Processing these new experiences expend a significant amount of canine energy, and he will be ready to relax at home after a day at the beach, walking with you at the local outdoor festival or spending time at a friend’s house.
Increasing exercise time will result in greater enjoyment for your dog and fewer behavioral issues.
You will find that providing these opportunities for your dog will not only improve his health and well-being but your own as well.
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How Much Exercise Do Puppies Need?
Puppies have a lot of energy, but they wear out quickly and don’t need as much exercise as an adult dog.
Puppies grow nonstop and take many naps, so plan on shorter bursts of energy from your puppy.
In general, puppies need several short (5-10 minutes) exercise sessions throughout the day. For a puppy, exercise could just be playing!
The more time you spend with your puppy, the more you’ll be able to know when they’re ready to play and when they need a break.
A good guideline is to walk five minutes for every month of your puppy’s life, up to twice a day.
Therefore, a four-month-old puppy can safely go on a 20-minute walk twice a day.
Exercise For Adult Dogs
Breed plays a significant role in how much exercise your adult dog needs.
Of course, age and health are the two biggest factors to consider when exercising your dog, but the breed is important too.
The general rule is adult dogs should get a minimum of 30 minutes a day – twice a day.
Adult Sporting Breed Dogs
Some of the more active dog breed types that require more exercise include:
- Terriers
- Shepherds
- Retrievers
- Pointers
In general, an adult herding or sporting breed dog needs 60-90 minutes of exercise each day.
This should include harder exercise like running, playtime with other dogs, or a hike.
Extra-active dogs may like agility exercises or even strenuous running and hiking.
Less Active Adult Dog Breeds
Toy Breeds
- Maltese
- Yorkies
- Chihuahuas
Giant Breeds
- Great Danes
- Mastiffs
- Newfoundlands
Brachycephalic or Smushy-Nosed Breeds
- Pugs
- French Bulldogs
An adult toy or low-energy breed requires anywhere from 30-60 minutes of exercise a day.
For some dogs, that means a slow walk around the neighborhood.
Exercise For Senior Dogs
As dogs age, their gait may stiffen with arthritis and they usually tire more easily on walks.
Your senior dog might be a bit slower, but exercise is still an important part of his everyday routine.
Joint supplements can help with stiffness and arthritis.
Swimming is a great exercise alternative for senior dogs, as well.
Taking your dog for a swim in the pool or a lake (while wearing a flotation device!) allows him to stay active without putting further stress on his joints.
In general, senior dogs need about 30-60 minutes of exercise a day, broken into two or more sessions.
Exercising Your Dog and Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation plays a huge role in a dog’s health. Like physical exercise, mental activity wards off boredom improves mood and keeps your dog healthy.
All dogs can benefit from mental stimulation, but it’s especially important for dogs who are injured or are getting older.
Older dogs might not be able to do as much physical exercise, but they still need mental challenges.
Mental activity can be anything from playing with food puzzles and other forms of interactive, mental play.
Even daily interaction with your dog will help satisfy some of his or her mental exercise needs.
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In Conclusion, Your Dog and Exercise
Your dog is always your guide to let you know if he or she has had enough daily exercise.
If they are tired enough each day and night and seem happy to just relax after a walk, that’s always a good indicator.
Push your dog enough to be tuckered out, but not too hard that he or she gets injured.
If your dog keeps sitting down and refuses to move when you take it on walks, check out our advice here.
Hopefully, this article gave you all the info you need to get your dog in shape! If you liked this, you’ll like some of our others.
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We get it, your dog is like your child and when your puppy or dog has health problems it is scary. Luckily there is pet insurance companies that will help you pay for any veterinarian care they made need. Checkout the best puppy and dog pet insurance companies and learn about common puppy health issues and ailments in older pets.
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Degenerative Myelopathy | Spinal Cord Disease In Dogs
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Dog Comedones (Schnauzer Bumps)
Dog Diarrhea: What Can You Do To Help?
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy In Dogs
The Dog Flu – Symptoms & Treatment for Canine Influenza
Frequently Asked Questions
How much exercise does a dog need?
Dog experts recommend daily exercise for canines to prevent behavioral problems. A well-exercised dog can release nervous energy, preventing troublesome behaviors. Daily exercise keeps a dog fit and emotionally stable.
How much exercise do puppies need?
Puppies have a lot of energy but wear out quickly. They need several short (5-10 minutes) exercise sessions throughout the day. A good guideline is to walk five minutes for every month of the puppy’s life, up to twice a day.
How much exercise do adult dogs need?
The general rule for adult dogs is a minimum of 30 minutes a day, twice a day. Breeds play a significant role, with active breeds needing 60-90 minutes daily, while less active breeds may require 30-60 minutes.
How about exercise for senior dogs?
Senior dogs still need about 30-60 minutes of exercise a day, broken into two or more sessions. Swimming is an excellent exercise alternative for seniors, reducing stress on joints.
Why is mental stimulation important for dogs?
Mental stimulation is crucial for a dog’s health. It wards off boredom, improves mood, and keeps the dog healthy. All dogs, especially older or injured ones, benefit from mental stimulation, which can include interactive play and daily interaction.
How can I tell if my dog has had enough exercise?
Your dog will indicate if they’ve had enough exercise by being tired and content. It’s crucial not to push them too hard to avoid injuries. If your dog consistently refuses to move during walks, it’s essential to check for potential issues.
What is the recommended exercise for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs?
Puppies need several short exercise sessions, adult dogs should get a minimum of 30 minutes twice a day, and senior dogs need about 30-60 minutes a day, broken into two or more sessions.
How can I provide mental stimulation for my dog?
Mental stimulation can be achieved through interactive play, food puzzles, and daily interaction with your dog. It’s especially important for older dogs who may not engage in as much physical exercise.
Why is exercise essential for a dog’s health and well-being?
Regular exercise improves a dog’s health, prevents behavioral issues, and fosters a strong bond between the owner and the dog. It also provides an outlet for excess energy, reducing the risk of problematic behaviors.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.