How often do dogs need to go for walks?

Puppies need less ‘formal’ exercise than fully grown dogs. Taking them for long walks while they’re young can overtire them. You’ll know your dog best, and the amount of exercise a dog can manage will vary between breeds and dogs, but a good rule of thumb is a ratio of five minutes of formal exercise per month of age (up to twice a day) until the puppy is fully grown i.e., 15 minutes (up to twice a day) when three months old, 20 minutes when four months old and so on. Puppies and dogs can become frustrated and bored if they don’t get enough exercise, so it’s essential that they go out for exercise every day. Time and play spent in your garden should be encouraged, but it’s no substitute for going out for a walk and exploring new environments or socialising with other dogs.

Most dogs can tolerate a daily 20–30-minute walk if they have a relatively good body condition. Dogs in great physical health can tolerate walks for up to two hours or go hiking for hours at a time. However, your dog’s lifespan plays a big role in her walking needs. Younger dogs have more energy and, in general, will need more exercise than dogs who are middle-aged and seniors. Take your dog for a walk and monitor her energy level. If she starts to slow down about 25–30 minutes into the walk, she may be getting tired. No matter the form of exercise, try to have your dog engage in at least 10–15 minutes of continuous activity every day. Aiming for a 10–15 minute walk a day can be a good option if you’re struggling to walk your dog because of your schedule.

Dogs need exercise to stay in shape, both physically and mentally, big or small, puppy or senior, your dog needs daily physical activity. But how many times you should walk your dog each day depends on their particular needs. Different dogs have different walking needs, when deciding how often to walk your dog, consider their age, activity level, health, and breed. Younger dogs with more energy benefit from more frequent walks. On the other hand, senior dogs with mobility issues do fine with fewer walks. In general, most dogs benefit from between 30 minutes to two hours of physical activity per day, that averages out to 3.5 to 14 hours of walking per week. Many people break that time up into two or three walks per day. So what’s the definitive answer to “how often should I walk my dog?” Well, at least once a day, but preferably twice—not counting bathroom breaks.