The Importance of Exercise for Your Puppy

Anyone who’s been around puppies knows that they’re little furballs of energy. Between work, family time, and rest, it might be difficult for you to set aside time to not only train and housebreak your puppy, but make sure he gets the exercise he needs. Remember: an active puppy is a healthy puppy. Keeping yours active is an important building block to his overall health and relationship with you.

Why Exercise is Important

Exercise is not just essential to your dog’s mental and physical well-being, it also helps you form a strong bond that continues throughout his life. Just as regular exercise is important for your health and happiness, the same is true for your puppy.

• Reduces risk of obesity and associated health risks
• Improved cardiovascular health and strengthens muscles
• Frequent, scheduled walks promote housetraining
• Increased ability for your puppy cope with your absences
• Reduced behavioral problems through physical, intellectual, and social stimulation
• Reduced digestive problems and constipation
• Increased agility
• Builds confidence and trust, especially in timid puppies
• Increased socialization with people and other dogs

Destructive Behaviors

A healthy amount of activity can steer your puppy away from problematic behaviors. our puppy will also crave a great deal of activity and chewing, playing and exploring are normal behaviors.  Without providing an outlet for this desire to be active, this energy may manifest as destructive behaviors

• Hyperactivity and restlessness at night
• Chewing, digging, or scratching
• Raiding the garbage
• Knocking over furniture or jumping on people
• Predatory behavior
• Rough play and biting
• Excessive barking and whining

How much exercise does a puppy need?

The exact amount of exercise a puppy needs is dependent on a number of different factors but it is important to remember that too much exercise can be just as bad as not enough exercise.   Although they are often far more energetic, puppies require shorter periods of exercise than adult dogs. Too much puppy exercise can result in exhaustion and joint damage, especially in larger breeds. Exercise needs vary among breeds, but most dogs can benefit from  at least one to two walks per day. According to The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, a good good starting point is  to aim for 5 minutes of exercise, twice a day, for each month of age.  For example, 3-month-old puppies should have 15 minutes of exercise twice a day, then 20 minutes twice a day at 4 months, etc).  Always pay attention to how your pet handles this amount of exercise and decrease the amount if needed.