I often get questions about how much exercise puppies should do at various stages of development, and I thought I’d share with everyone since the answers aren’t always easy to find. I think it’s fine for pups to do the occasional longer walk on leash once they reach 4 or 5 months old, especially if it helps in socialization and it’s broken up by stops at a coffee shop or other frequent rest periods. Also, they don’t need to be limited much in puppy play and free exercise in the yard by themselves or with other pups of the same age as long as they can opt out when they seem tired (play with older dogs should be limited though). Directed play, like fetching a static ball should also be limited to very short intervals until older. In general here are the guidelines I’ve gleaned from research I’ve done over the years:
|
Age |
Skills, e.g., Jumping, Weaving, Contacts |
Strength, e.g., Retrieving up hill, Core Muscle Exercises like”begging” |
Body Awareness, e.g., Backing Up, Walking thru ladder, pivoting |
Endurance, e.g., walking briskly/trotting 20 + minutes daily, jogging, etc. |
|
Under 6 Months |
None, I would avoid too much bending; wings, cones or speed bumps can be used instead of jumps |
None, keep walking mostly on the flat |
Keep the duration short and make it fun |
Limit leash walking or directed hiking for pups under 6 months – a reasonable rule of thumb is 5 minutes per month of age daily |
|
6 – 12 months |
Contact training can begin; jumps can be increased gradually from wrist to elbow height; bend work can begin gradually at low heights |
Can gradually start up to 3 x weekly |
Unlimited |
More regular walking for longer periods is okay at this stage but no jogging |
|
12 – 18 months |
Weaves can be started around 12 months; full height jumping can begin once growth plates have closed (usually around 14 months) |
Can be increased to daily |
Unlimited |
After growth plates have closed around 14 months dogs can gradually work up to their adult endurance activity level; continuous swimming and water retrieve could be started now |
|
Beyond 18 months |
Can be daily with limited repetitions |
Can be daily |
Unlimited |
Limit intense endurance training, e.g., running several miles, to every other day. |
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