How Much Exercise Does my Dog Need?

We know your dog is a member of your family, and like any family member, they need exercise to stay healthy. What happens if your dog doesn't get enough exercise? A pup that does not get enough physical activity will let you know in surprising ways, including destructive behaviors like digging, chewing, or marking. If you’re seeing behavioral issues emerge, that could be the first sign your dog may not be getting enough exercise.

“I see behavioral issues with dogs that are under-exercised. One of the first questions I ask about a dog is how much exercise they get. It really makes a huge difference,” Dr. Jeff Evans DVM, Medical Director at Boston Animal Hospital said.

Why your dog needs regular exercise

“Diabetes has been on the rise for the last five years or so. Diabetes in dogs can be genetic, but that is super rare; usually when dogs are getting diabetes it’s because of overfeeding. Exercise helps a lot with diabetes.” - Dr Evans

Factors that determine how much exercise your dog needs

As dog owners we often wonder – how much exercise does my dog need? And is my dog getting enough exercise? If you are like most pet parents, you might feel some guilt that you aren’t able to take your dog for a major hike every day and worry that a walk around the block isn’t enough.

According to Dr. Evans, the amount and type of exercise your dog needs really depends on the breed, age, and fitness level of the dog.

“For supporting cardiovascular health and orthopedic health, working breeds – like Huskies, Goldens, and German Shepherds – need more rigorous exercise. Beagles and dachshunds, you want to exercise them on flat ground because they are prone to intervertebral disc disease and arthritis of the back.”

That being said, dogs, like humans, don’t all have the same fitness levels. Keep in mind that even if your dog is a breed that needs more exercise, you may need to gradually work up to a higher fitness level if your dog is out of shape.

“I often see when people have a limited amount of time before work, they run their dog hard. This can cause paw pad injuries, torn [anterior cruciate ligament] ACL. Don’t go from zero to 60 – you risk injury. And “tie up syndrome” – where you’re not exercised for a long time, and then set free – people get this, too – can lead to kidney failure.”

Finally, age is another factor. As dogs age, their joints, organs, and muscles age. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise them, but you should consult your veterinarian and switch to more low intensity exercise like walking on flat ground or swimming.

Figuring out how much exercise is right for your dog

See how much exercise your dog needs

How to get enough exercise for your dog

For many breeds, daily walks are enough with periods of play. Check out our dog games for things to do with your dog. You can also let your dog out in your backyard if your dog has a SpotOn GPS dog fence to contain him. However, you will have to encourage many breeds to exercise, says Dr. Evans. Just putting them outside won’t be enough.

“If you put an English Bulldog in the middle of your yard, it’s just going to sit there,” Dr. Evans warns. “You need to understand what triggers your dog and gets your dog excited.”

One way to encourage movement is to create ‘scavenger hunts’ in the yard. Throw treats around the yard and have your dog run around finding them. Hiding favorite toys or smelly treats like pig’s ears, bully sticks, or stuffed tracheas can get your dog moving, too. There are also some new products that can entertain your dog when you can’t, like an automatic ball thrower, which can keep your dog busy for hours.

Another option is finding your dog a playmate. If you aren’t up for getting a second dog, search your area for a dog park or doggy daycare where your pup can make friends. You can also invite a neighbor over for a play date if you have a great backyard for dogs.

If your dog is senior or has health problems, consult your veterinarian for the best options.

“If your dog has issues such as obesity or arthritis that make it difficult to exercise, find a vet that is certified in physical therapy or has a rehab,” says Dr. Evans. They can help you get your pet started with some gentle exercise – like walking on underwater treadmills – until they build up some strength or lose some weight.

Safety considerations when exercising your dog

If you leave your dog outside for long periods of time, be sure that he has shady places to rest and lots of drinking water. You can consider adding a toddler pool to your backyard or cooling mats for them to lay on.

You should also be careful of hot surfaces, like concrete, asphalt, or sand. Generally, you can test a surface with the back of your hand; if it’s too hot for your hand to lay on comfortably for around 5-7 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Avoid exercising your pup on these surfaces if they are too hot, or look into dog shoes to protect them.

Exercise is an important component of your dog’s well-being. If you have not exercised your pup in a while, you should check with your vet on where to begin before incorporating regular exercise into your dog’s routine. We hope that this guide has helped take the guesswork out of determining the appropriate type and duration of activity for your pooch.

Beyond physical exercise, dogs also need mental ‘exercise’ and stimulation for general health and well-being. Brain games, training exercises and interactive toys and puzzles can help with this - especially if you’re stuck inside in colder weather and need some indoor games. Wondering how else to exercise a dog in winter? SpotOn can help with that, since your dog can roam freely within his virtual boundaries, while you’re cozy inside! Or maybe you don’t want to hibernate and would rather enjoy a winter wonderland together? Here are some ideas for getting outdoors in winter and winter activities you can both enjoy.

So back to the original question; how much exercise does a dog need? Physical exercise needs depend mostly on  breed and age for healthy adult dogs, and puppies and senior dogs have different needs.

Because every dog is different, we asked Dr. Fitz of FitzVet for some general guidelines. As Dr. Fitz explains, different breeds have different exercise requirements. Herding and hunting dogs for example, tend to be very high energy dogs. Think Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Vizslas and German Shorthaired Pointers, based on genetic drives for certain behaviors. Retrievers such as Labs and Goldens, and some working dogs like German Shepherds, also need a fair amount of exercise, but often less than the more high energy breeds. And Terrier and Giant breeds can also be tricky, particularly some giant breeds that are working dogs like Great Pyrenees. Check out this video from Dr. Fitz to understand how much exercise your dog needs.

Learn more here about living life unleashed with SpotOn GPS Fence, and how giving your dog room to roam can also give him or her more daily exercise.

Written by: Jennifer Joyce, the President of SpotOn Fence and one of the people entrusted to serve French Bulldogs, Lucy & Henry. She grew up on a farm in Oregon with Golden Retriever, Butch, and black cat, Lucky. Their lifestyle of running free on the farm inspired her to join SpotOn to help more dogs run free off leash. She has over 10 years of pet industry experience for brands such as Kurgo & Embark Vet. She has written about many topics related to incorporating pets into your life, such as hiking, camping, urban exploring, travel safety and international travel.

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