What is the 10 minute rule for puppies?

The rules around limiting puppy exercise are based on the idea that their growth plates are not yet closed. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths out there – one common one is the “5-minute rule.” The 5-minute rule states that a puppy should only exercise for 5 minutes per month of their age – so, for example, a 4-month-old puppy should only exercise for 20 minutes. There is no evidence to suggest that simple exercise will damage your puppy’s growth plates. Damage to growth plates is caused by trauma – this could include landing from a large height, being hit by a car or being crashed into by another dog. It is true that some forms of exercise can contribute to joint problems – studies have shown that climbing stairs can contribute to hip dysplasia in very young puppies and that jarring, high-impact exercise such as running after a ball or stick can also contribute to joint issues such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). However, as long as our pups are otherwise healthy, we don’t need to check our watches religiously to make sure we don’t overshoot our walk by 5 minutes a month too soon and we don’t need to panic when our pups would rather run around and play than sit quietly and rest! The biggest risk factors for growth and joint problems are: Hip/Elbow dysplasia Genetic disposition for conditions such as OCD Excess weight High impact exercise such as jumping from heights or sudden turns Trauma from accidents. So, it is wise to avoid letting your puppy jump up and down from heights and best to leave high-impact games like “fetch” until later in life (if ever!).