The general recommendation is up to twice daily walking for 5 minutes per month of age.
Clubs Offering:
AKC participates in affiliate advertising programs that give websites a way to monetize their content by promoting and linking to akc. org. If you buy something after reading this article, we might get a cut of the sale.
I’ll never forget the expression my trainer from the puppy obedience class gave me when I told her with pride that my puppy had joined me on a two-mile hike. Two miles was definitely too much for my three-month-old dog because, as she explained, puppies, especially those of large breeds, shouldn’t be overexercised because this could lead to joint and bone issues.
Although I never repeated that error, it did raise a few questions for me. How much physical activity is too much for a puppy, and how can you tell when it’s enough?
In the world of dogs, there is a lot of discussion regarding puppies and exercise. There isn’t a set formula for determining your puppy’s development, despite the fact that veterinarians, breeders, and trainers all seem to concur that too much exercise is just as detrimental as not enough.
While it would be nice if there was a chart you could look at that was 100 percent accurate and divided puppies by breed and age and explained how much exercise they needed each day, complete with mileage and a puppy activity tracker, the truth is more complex.
Veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly notes that a combination of a dearth of scientific research and a range of individual viewpoints is the cause of some of this confusion. She draws a comparison between the ongoing discussion about exercise, sports, and children, noting that there are numerous approaches to exercise and that each has benefits and drawbacks.
At What Age Can I Walk My Puppy?
A puppy shouldn’t be walked in areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been until he is fully protected by his core vaccinations.
He shouldn’t be exposed to dogs that might not have received vaccinations, either.
Puppies usually receive a series of vaccinations starting at six to eight weeks old. Then they’re repeated every three to four weeks old until they’re 16 weeks old.
After that age, a puppy’s considered protected. Before taking him to locations where other unknown dogs may have been, some advise waiting another two weeks until the vaccinations are fully effective.
So long as there haven’t been any unvaccinated dogs on your property, you can still take your puppy for walks there until he is at least 16 weeks old.
Always ask your veterinarian about the vaccinations your puppy has received and the best times to take him for walks.
When it comes to taking our puppies out, we adhere to the standards established by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.
Watch out for signs that your puppy is tired or lame
Don’t go too far on your walk, even if it’s just a short one.
Stop walking your puppy if he begins to lie down, pants, or otherwise appears to have gone too far. On other walks, keep in mind not to venture too far because you need to account for the portion of the walk that leads back to your house.
End the walk if your puppy ever appears to be limping, lame, or otherwise in pain.
A trip to the veterinarian is necessary if your puppy displays any lameness.
FAQ
Can I walk my 5 month old puppy 2 miles?
Very young puppies don’t have much endurance. They shouldn’t be walked too far. A puppy can walk for five minutes for every month they are, starting at the age of eight weeks.
Can you over exercise a 5 month old puppy?
Avoid over-exercising your puppy. Large and giant breed puppies in particular are at risk for having their musculoskeletal development negatively impacted by over-exercising. Some large and giant dog breeds can continue to grow until they are between 18 and 24 months old.
How far can I walk my puppy at 6 months?
If you’re wondering how much exercise your puppy should receive, a general rule of thumb is to multiply your puppy’s age in months by five to determine how many minutes your puppy can walk for each session.
Is 2 miles too far for a puppy to walk?
Two miles was definitely too much for my three-month-old dog because, as she explained, puppies, especially those of large breeds, shouldn’t be overexercised because this could lead to joint and bone issues.