How much exercise does my new puppy need?

Updated 11/12/2023

Did someone say 'walkies'? Regular exercise provides your puppy with much-needed physical, social and mental stimulation — not to mention, it’s good for us humans, too! Helping to improve our overall mental and physical wellbeing, it provides the perfect opportunity to get into the great outdoors while bonding with your new furry friend. 

This month, the team behind our Vet Advice Line are taking us through their top tips on how to exercise your new puppy. 

Why puppies need exercise

It’s hard work being a pup! Exercise is a great way for puppies to spend up all that pent up energy. It’s healthy for them (and for you), helps them avoid getting into too much mischief at home, and helps to get them used to a routine. 

How much exercise does my puppy need?

A common misconception is that puppies need a lot of exercise, as they have a lot of energy to use up. However, their bones, joints, and muscles are still growing during this first year of life. This means that particularly in some breeds such as large and giant breeds, the intensity of the exercise does need to be limited to prevent problems when your puppy becomes an adult. 

A good rule to follow is ten minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. So, a 16-week-old puppy would need a 20-minute walk twice a day. You should also limit access to stairs for large breed dogs for the first few months, too. The amount of exercise your puppy needs is also affected by the temperatures outside - seriously hot days might call for exercising early in the morning or later at night to avoid the heat of the day. Here's more on how to keep dogs cool in hot weather.

How to exercise a puppy?

There are lots of ways to exercise a puppy: 

• Puppy walking
• Play fetch
• Hike
• Playing keep away
• Run
• Swim
• Play tug-o-war

Does a puppy’s breed affect their exercise needs?

In short, yes. Some puppy breeds need more physical exercise than others.

That’s why it’s always good to know which dog breeds have the highest energy, so that you can give them all the activity they need. 

1. Alaskan Malamute
2. American Foxhound
3. Australian Shepherd
4. Basenji
5. Border Collie
6. Brittany Spaniel
7. Dalmatian
8. Jack Russel Terrier
9. Labrador Retriever
10. Siberian Husky
11. Vizsla
12. Weimaraner

Aside from the type of breed, some dogs can handle physical exercise better than others. That is why it’s good to take into account a dog’s size when planning how much activity to give them. 

Large and giant breeds

Big dogs like the Bernese Mountain, Saint Bernard, Alaskan Malamute or Bloodhound can handle relatively long walks as puppies because it takes them less effort to cover more ground than smaller dogs. They’re bigger and taller as puppies, with longer legs that are perfect for walking. 

You may want to be careful because the larger the dog, the longer it takes for their bones and joints to mature fully. You don’t want to risk exposing them to health problems in later life for pushing them too far when they’re still a pup. 

Medium breeds

Medium dog breeds like Border Collies, Spaniels or Staffies will, for the most part, need an average amount of exercise. This will highly depend on the type of breed, as some will need more exercise than others. 

Small breeds

Toy dog breeds like Chihuahuas and Pomeranians still love exercise despite their small size. A half hour walk once daily will suit their needs perfectly. Their bones mature quickly, which means they can jump and even try agility training from around 8-12 months old. 

Bear in mind too that flat-nosed dogs may struggle with exercise in hot climates because of their lower tolerance for heat. Working breeds, on the other hand, like Border Collies or Kelpies, can handle high temperatures much better. 

When can I walk my puppy?

Your puppy will be ready to go out for walks one week after they receive their final puppy vaccination. It’s a really good idea to get your new furry friend used to walking on a lead around the home or garden before they are ready to go out walking in public places. Some dogs don’t have a lead attached to them until their first walk, and this can be very scary and confusing for them. 

Decide if you are going to use a harness or a collar and put it on around the house and the garden. Occasionally, clip on a lead and let them walk about with this attached (always stay with them just in case they get caught on something), and every so often lift the handle end of the lead. This will let the puppy get used to being joined to you and make it less of an issue when they are ready to go out and about for this first time.  Use plenty of praise and encouragement and treats to reinforce to your puppy that wearing a collar, harness and lead is a positive experience. 

How far should you walk a puppy?

There’s no standard answer to the ‘How far should I walk my puppy?’ question. Every dog is different and their capabilities will depend on the breed, size and age of each puppy. Yes, puppies have a lot of energy, but that doesn’t mean they are able to walk long distances. 

Always start by asking your vet. Then, you can introduce your puppy to walking with very short walks that you can build up over time. If your furry bundle of joy sits or lies down during a walk, that means they are tired and need to rest. Pick them up and go home, where they can rest until the next walk. Remember, your puppy can’t talk, so it’s their way of telling you they’ve reached their limit. 

Puppy pads are often quite soft, so when you first start walking your puppy, they can develop sores or rubbing on the pads. Always inspect your puppies pads after a walk and if concerned about rubbing consult a veterinarian and rest your puppy until the pads have healed. 

What kind of lead do I need for my puppy?

There are so many different options when it comes to the equipment needed for walking your puppy. Do your research on the breed you have and keep in mind the strength, temperament, and size of your dog when you begin training. It is the law in the UK that all dogs must wear a collar with an ID tag on it, however, it is not always a good idea to attach a lead to this collar as it could damage your puppies’ neck or throat if they pull. A harness works well, but keep the puppy on a short, fixed lead to keep them close to you and to reinforce the training you are doing with them. And don’t forget to have some treats handy, so you can reinforce good behaviour!

Retractable leashes are popular with small breed owners, but beware that dogs can become tangled in the extra line and cause themselves injury, especially if they are scared and trying to escape from a situation e.g. another dog. 

Taking your puppy out for the first time

If you meet any other dog while you are out walking, it’s important that you don’t pick your puppy up straight away unless you genuinely feel they are in danger, as doing so will teach your puppy to be scared of other dogs. 

Also, don’t be afraid to say no to people who ask to stroke your dog if you don’t feel it's appropriate. Your dog does need to meet new people and new dogs, but this can be overwhelming for them at the beginning. You can keep a treat pouch with you to give your dog treats as you pass people to start with and then work up to passers by giving a treat, and finally moving onto pats if your puppy feels comfortable. Keep the process slow, and use lots of positive praise when out meeting new people with your puppy. 

If it is very hot or cold outside you may want to adjust the timings and type of exercise that you do with your pup. On hot days, try going for a walk early morning or late evening, and on cold days, look out for salt and grit on the pavements that could hurt your puppy’s paws. If exercising your dog in areas where there is salt or grit, consider using puppy boots, or washing your dogs legs after a walk and drying completely. 

Veterinarians advise not walking your dog one hour before or after feeding, particularly in large breed dogs, as this can lead to a potentially fatal condition called GDV, or bloat.  

Puppy exercise safety tips

Here are a few tips that can help keep your puppy safe while exercising: 

• Teach them how to walk on a leash
• Start with short walks, with frequent breaks
• Increase the duration of the walk little by little
• Don’t go for walks during the hottest and coldest parts of the day
• Avoid slippery or sharp surfaces
• Reach out to your vet if your puppy is struggling to go for walks, or has any signs of limping or pain when walking or jumping

We hope you and your new puppy have great fun together!

If you’ve got a new puppy and need some extra help, advice and inspiration, here’s a lot of content that will help you navigate these first - and precious - moments with them: 

• The first 24 hours with your puppy
• New puppy checklist
• The ultimate puppy names guide
• The importance of a well-socialized puppy
• Beginners’ guide to puppy training
• Puppy training tips from TrustedHousesitters
• How to toilet train a puppy
• Basic puppy cues
• Pet sitting for puppies and kittens
• When should I start puppy training classes
• How to find a local puppy training class
• Puppy training classes in the UK and the US

As a TrustedHousesitters member, you can speak with a dedicated team of veterinary nurses via our free 24/7 Vet Advice Line while on a sit. Find out more here. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

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