I often get asked the following in routine appointments – ‘how long can I walk my puppy for and is there such a thing as too much exercise?’. Well, the answer is complicated, and we will need to explore it in more detail.
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Is there any evidence that you can cause damage by over-exercising a puppy?
The problem is that joint damage, including conditions like osteoarthritis, is multifactorial. This 2020 research paper explores 6 main risk factors that are associated with joint disease in dogs, including:
- Genetics
- Conformation
- Breed
- Body weight
- Sex and neuter status
- Age
- Other factors – including exercise levels at a young age
The paper states ‘Those born in months that offer more favourable weather for exercise opportunities had increased risk of joint disease development. This is further supported through findings that identify exercise levels and types (such as chasing balls/toys and regularly playing with other dogs), throughout life but particularly when young, are risk factors for joint disease development, due to over-use of and damage to (developing) joints’. This indicates that exercise levels could impact joint health.
However, there are limitations to some of the studies included in this paper. And it can be hard to know which of these risk factors is having the biggest impact on the long-term health of our dogs. This is why we need to try and tackle everything we can, to reduce the chances of our chosen puppy having joint problems.
Owners must start by carefully selecting a breeder who has done all the relevant health testing and produces puppies with good confirmation from healthy parents. It is then down to us to keep this dog at an appropriate body weight and ensure they are receiving the right amount of exercise. We’ll take a look at this next.
The 5-minute rule – fact or fiction?
You might have heard of the 5-minute rule, often used as a guide for owners to follow when walking their puppies. This rule dictates that all puppies are allowed 5 minutes of walking, per month of their age, twice a day. So, a 3-month-old puppy could have 15 minutes twice a day, a 4-month pup twenty minutes twice a day and so on.
However, this rule is not based on any scientific evidence – meaning that many vets no longer recommend it. The 5-minute rule may work OK for some breeds, but it is certainly not appropriate for all. For example, an active, working breed puppy is unlikely to get enough physical exercise following this regime; whereas it might be too much for some other types of dogs (e.g. toy breeds or brachycephalics). The 5-minute rule should only ever be used as a guide and needs adapting to suit your puppy.
Instead, the main piece of take-home advice is that owners should consider the type of exercise that they do with their dogs
Forty-five minutes of sniffing and ambling around in the park at their own pace is a very different prospect from forty-five minutes of continuous ball-chasing, wrestling with other dogs or pounding the pavements as your jogging companion.
One way to think about this is to visualise your average human toddler. Most have bags of energy and will keep exploring and playing for hours on end; but would you expect them to do marathon training or hiking with you? Probably not! Treat your dog in a similar fashion, let them exercise at their own pace. If they start sitting down or slowing up, then you know you are doing too much and should take it steadier.
You must also avoid sudden, twisting, jerking movements on young growing joints
So, using a ball thrower, allowing them to excessively jump up, or putting them in situations where they can skid or slip, is not advised. Their skeleton is not fully formed at this young age, and puppies are at risk of damaging their growth plates, where new bone is created. This can cause them to prematurely close, stopping proper development from occurring.
Why is exercise good for puppies?
As well as thinking about the safety aspects, it is however important to remember first and foremost that exercise is great for puppies! Not only are they getting physical stimulation, but also mental stimulation and opportunities for socialisation. So, while you shouldn’t overdo things, restricting exercise is not a good idea as it can lead to boredom, frustration, and possibly even destructive behaviours. There is also some evidence to suggest that exercise restriction could increase the chances of joint conditions like hip dysplasia.
Mixing things up
Don’t forget that as well as going on walks, there are many other ways to stimulate your puppy and keep them active. Playing games in the park like hide and seek can be good fun. One person hides while another holds onto the puppy. The hider then calls the puppy, rewarding and praising them when they are found. Doing some puppy agility when out and about adds interest too. Get your pup to weave between posts and crawl under benches, with praise and rewards. When they are old enough you can start to go to formal agility lessons if you think they will enjoy it.
Most dogs don’t mind a bit of rain (invest in a good coat and umbrella!). But if the weather is particularly bad, you can still stimulate and tire your puppy out by playing games like:
Find the treats
Hiding treats or kibbles around the house and then get your pup to find them. This allows them to use their nose and their brains to solve the puzzle.
Tug
Most puppies love a game of tug and it’s a great bonding experience for both of you. It doesn’t require much space and physically isn’t too strenuous on young joints, especially if you play on a carpet or rug to provide good traction to prevent slipping. Just take care not to be too rough otherwise you may damage your puppy’s teeth.
Training
There are lots of things you can teach your puppy in your house. How about teaching him how to shake a paw, ‘bow’, ‘speak’, or ‘roll over’? Working on new tricks is so tiring, so make sure to intersperse with other games and free play.
Puzzle toys
Use snuffle mats, treat balls or other puzzle feeders to get your puppy to use their brains and exercise their noses.
Summary
There is no hard and fast rule about how much you should exercise your puppy. Instead, owners need to follow their puppy’s lead and be sensible about the type of activities they do with their dog. There are many ways to reduce the risks of joint disease, and exercise management is just one of those. Don’t forget that overly restricting your puppy’s exercise could also be harmful to their health. Always speak to your vet if you are unsure about any aspect of your puppy’s health and wellbeing.
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