Puppies who are happy and healthy require a decent amount of activity. Here's how to get the most of play and walking without going crazy.
How to not over-exercise your puppy
Most of us envision long, meandering walks with our new dog when we first obtain one, and there's no denying that taking your dog for walks through the neighbourhood or across the countryside is a true pleasure of dog ownership. But sometimes, in our haste to "get out there," we forget that our new puppy is still a baby, and like all babies, they have limited physical capabilities. This implies that over-exercising a puppy or having high expectations for them during the first few weeks or months of life might result in long-term harm.
Dogs' bones continue to develop until they reach adulthood, which varies by breed. Over-exercising your dog may put them at risk for injury because the growth plates inside the bones, which allow them to expand as the dog becomes bigger, remain soft for a surprisingly long time. Dogs that sustain injuries at this period may not recover fully and may experience long-term issues. The puppy's other bones, in addition to the soft growth plates, are also softer and more brittle.
Not only are the bones developing, but the muscles, tendons, and ligaments holding the puppy's growing bones and joints together are also working hard. These can be susceptible to injury from over-exercising your puppy or from improper play or exercise.
Puppy exercise and puppy walking guidelines
Given all of this, it's simple to panic and become overly cautious, but there are a few rules you can follow to ensure you do it correctly! First and foremost, keep in mind that activity is essential for puppies because it increases their bone density, which results in strong bones and a lower risk of damage as an adult.
How long should you walk a puppy?
However, this training shouldn't involve marching on a lead around the neighbourhood roads or the countryside. Actually, a reasonable rule of thumb for constant puppy walking is that puppies should exercise twice a day for no more than five minutes each month of age. Therefore, a puppy that is five months old should not walk for more than twenty-five minutes twice a day; larger breeds should have lower walking times.
Even so, a puppy should have plenty of time to sniff, explore, and learn about their surroundings on a leisurely walk. Puppies' early exploration of their surroundings is essential to their development since their brains are developing at a rate equal to that of their bodies.
Limit the amount of time spent on continuous organised puppy walking to no more than two minutes at a time. If the puppy falls down, is hesitant to walk, or appears exhausted, pay attention to them and respond appropriately.
Play time counts too!
Puppies are adept at self-limiting their own activity, so even if they appear to have boundless energy, it's crucial to give them lots of chances to run around and play on their own. When pups are this age, you will witness them run around frantically for a short while before collapsing to sleep or rest.
But this goes beyond their developing bodies. Since puppies lack the circulatory system necessary for endurance, these brief energy bursts are all they can handle while developing future stamina.
Puppy play as part of your puppy’s exercise
Along with early puppy training, cognitive games, and connection with you, this self-directed play should make up the majority of your puppy's exercise throughout the first year of life. But be quiet when you're playing with your dog.
Because necks and backs are just as sensitive as legs, make sure that any tuggy games are extremely gently. You should also avoid pulling the toy upwards or forcefully to the sides, avoid sharp twists and turns while tossing toys and refrain from leaping until your veterinarian gives the all-clear.
Puppy exercise toys
Puppies benefit greatly from interactive toys because they engage their minds in addition to their bodies. Puppies like anything from stuffed Kongs to making treasure hunts and smell trails in the garden, which allow them to utilise their nose and their innate curiosity to uncover dry food or other rewards. These activities also strengthen your relationship with your dog.
Although puppies have a limited amount of activity, keep in mind that their minds are like sponges, so now is a fantastic time to concentrate on training them. A reputable puppy class will assist and advise you on what is suitable for your dog.
You are developing a bond with your puppy throughout these first few months, showing them that you are enjoyable to be around and that their new environment is secure. Here, rather than marching across the countryside, relationships are formed through play, games, and gentle treatment. Later on, there will be plenty of time for that!
There is a lot of puppy discovery ahead of us. Use these best practices for puppy socialisation to prepare your dog to interact with people and other canines.
