The question of how often your dog should be walked is one that sparks much debate. There are some people who believe religiously that dogs should be walked at least twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Others think that one walk a day is sufficient. Then there are those who think that a little run around the yard is enough for their pet pooch. So, how do you know how often you should take your dog for a walk? How much is too much, and what is considered not enough?
Walking a Puppy
If you have recently added to your family by way of a fur baby and you have not yet started taking her for walks, you will likely be interested to know what the recommendations are. After all, you want to ensure that your pup is getting enough exercise, but you might be scared that too much could cause injury to her developing bones.
The general rule for puppies is that they should only be walked for five minutes for each month of their age, at any one time. To explain that better, consider you have a three-month-old puppy going out for her first walk. That walk should not be longer than fifteen minutes (5 minutes x 3 months). You can take your puppy for one or two walks per day, but each walk should be no longer than fifteen minutes. When your puppy reaches the age of four months, you can increase the walk to 20 minutes at a time.
How Often Should Adult Dogs be Walked?
Dog walking is necessary for both your pet’s health and its mental stimulation. But more than that, a dog walk is probably your pet’s favorite time of the day. It is the time when she gets out to see the world and maybe meet some other dogs. As social animals, dogs love to be around other humans and animals and a walk is a time when she gets to be with you – her pack leader.
In general dogs should be walked at least once per day, although some do need more exercise if they are of a particularly active breed. Some dogs will need further exercise, such as chasing after a ball or a frisbee, as this helps them to burn off their energy. For younger dogs, this can mean they are more chilled out at home, which is beneficial for their owners.
It is worth noting however that some dogs cannot manage more than one walk per day. This might be due to problems with their bones or joints. Furthermore, the older your dog gets, the less active she will be, meaning you may have to drop her walks to every other day, or simply slow the pace when you do take her outside.
What to Consider in Terms of Walks for Your Dog
According to the good folk at Voyager Harness, makers of top-quality harnesses for dogs, there are a few things to consider when trying to work out how much exercise your dog needs. Your dog’s age and breed are two important considerations. The younger the dog, the more exercise she will need. Furthermore, some dogs, such as German shepherds, border collies, and golden retrievers, have high energy levels and will therefore need more daily exercise than a dog with low energy levels such as a miniature dachshund, or a Pomeranian.
It is best to discuss your dog with a vet for advice on how often to walk your dog. The vet will be able to assess your pet’s health and will advise accordingly.
