Is 2 walks a day too much for a dog?

Typically, dogs require a minimum of one to two walks per day, unless advised otherwise by your veterinarian. Every dog's daily schedule should include walking to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Walks give your dog a chance to sniff new smells, explore new places and meet new people and dogs – all of which are really important for their mental wellbeing and confidence. If you think your dog is struggling, speak to your vet about how you can improve their diet and exercise routine. It’s also sensible to avoid steep slopes, as they put extra pressure on the joints. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, it’s important to keep them moving regularly throughout the day to prevent their joints seizing up but the exercise they do should be low impact. Walking and gentle running is fine, but it’s best to avoid chasing, jumping, and skidding. Observe what surfaces are more comfortable for them to walk on, they might struggle more on sand or gravel and might find pavements and grass easier and more predictable.

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 veterinarian may also be able to help keep your pet performing at her best with vet-recommended joint supplements and other therapies as she ages. It’s important to consider your dog’s health when figuring out the appropriate amount to walk her. 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. If your dog drinks water and immediately crashes on her dog bed for hours, she may have overexerted herself. If your dog starts limping during the walk or after she has rested from a long walk, then she received too much exercise. A dog’s tolerance for exercise can be increased as long as she’s healthy. Just like you wouldn’t join a marathon if you haven’t run in years, you should not expect your dog to walk, run, or hike for hours if she’s been living a sedentary lifestyle. Try to have your dog engage in at least 10–15 minutes of continuous activity every day.

This is another time when walks should be short and more frequent – so you can make sure your dog doesn’t overheat. Always make sure you have water with you, as well as access to shade so your pup can rest if they’re feeling too hot even for short walks around the neighbourhood. When winter days get particularly cold and icy, it may be best to consider limiting even your active dog’s daily walk to 20-30 minutes several times a day – unless they are well adapted to colder climates. But, if temperatures get below freezing, it’s best to find ways to keep your dog active indoors or in a sheltered garden and go outside only for very short bursts of time, protecting their paws as much as possible from ice and salt. Your dog needs the same amount of exercise and enrichment in the summer as they do at all other times but on especially warm days, aim for early mornings and cooler evenings to avoid the hot temperatures in the middle of the day. If you notice your pup is slowing down during walks in the hot weather, not wanting to walk at all, panting excessively, whining or trying to lie down or turn back, these can all be signs that they are getting too hot, so it’s best to stop walking and give them a break somewhere cool and away from the sun.

Dogs need exercise to stay in shape, both physically and mentally. 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. 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.

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. Formal exercise away from their normal environment gives them different environments to explore and is a great way to provide them with mental stimulation. 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. 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.