How long should I walk my dog each day?

This is simple: Take your dog for a walk for as long as it takes him to relieve himself and get enough exercise. Next question.

All dogs, regardless of age, require sufficient exercise, but it can be challenging to define this in concrete terms. Your dog’s age, size, breed, and state of health must all be carefully taken into account when determining the right amount of exercise.

How often should you walk a medium dog?

Medium-sized dogs can range from low energy to athletic, depending on the breed. These include but are not limited to: Boxers, Chinooks, Whippets and Cocker Spaniels. In general, medium-sized canines need about 40 to 80 minutes of walking every day. Unlike smaller breeds, medium-sized pooches should be able to walk at a comfortable pace alongside you.

What Can Happen if My Dog Doesn’t Get Enough Exercise?

Just like people, dogs can become overweight without physical activity. But, it can create other problems for our canine friends and you, including:

Destructive behaviors like chewing on shoes or furniture, eliminating in the house, getting into the trash, destroying items in the household, or increased aggression toward people or other pets can be caused by lack of exercise. However, there are other things that can also cause this type of behavior, so call us to make an appointment so we can pinpoint the source.

Some dogs will become withdrawn when they’re not getting enough physical stimulation. If your dog was very social, and no longer runs to the door in anticipation of a walk or acts disinterested when you enter the room, they could be depressed. Again, there are other things that can cause this behavior, so pay us a visit.

Hyperactivity when they are on a walk. If your dog gets over-excited when you take out their leash or when you’re about to head out the door, it may be a sign of restlessness and a need for more physical activity. Excessive leash pulling can also mean that your dog needs to burn more energy. That being said, leash pulling can be caused by other things, so consult a trainer.

Your dog may bark and whine a lot if they aren’t getting enough exercise.

How Often Should I Walk My Dog?

The number of walks is primarily determined by your dog’s needs and your own availability. The majority of owners choose to go for walks in the morning before work and in the late afternoon after work. To ensure that their dog is taken for a walk in the middle of the afternoon as well, owners of high-energy dogs may also hire a dog walking service like Rover.

Remember that your dog will only be able to relieve himself on outdoor walks if you are unable to allow him to go outside to the yard.

While most full grown adult dogs can handle holding it up to 8 hours, puppies need much more frequent trips to the bathroom. Without an easy-to-access backyard, puppies will need to go out every 1-2 hours, so you should really never bring a puppy into your home unless you can have someone at home all day to take them out frequently. Granted, these aren’t actual walks – just quick bathroom breaks, but your puppy still needs them!

FAQ

Is a 20 minute walk enough for a dog?

Most dogs, provided they are in reasonably good physical condition, can tolerate daily 20–30 minute dog walks. Some dogs in excellent physical condition can endure walks of up to two hours or hours-long hikes.

Is a 30 minute walk too long for a dog?

While 45 minutes or more is ideal, most dog owners can usually achieve a 30-minute walk goal, which will help to keep their dog healthy and balanced. For puppies, a 15-minute walk is advised until they are fully grown in order to prevent joint damage from long walks.

Is it OK not to walk your dog everyday?

The majority of dogs adore them, and they can make a wonderful addition to our day. Having said that, going for a walk each day is not required. Many dog owners believe that skipping their dogs’ daily walks is a sign of failure. In actuality, your dog usually has nothing to worry about, and occasionally, they need it the most.

Is one long walk a day enough for a dog?

Depending on the breed, your dog will require different amounts of exercise, but all dogs should go for at least one walk per day, ideally two. To learn more about the exercise requirements of your chosen breed, visit our Breeds A to Z page.