More is not always better, and running is not the answer to everything. A practical guide to matching activity to the dog in front of you.
Exercise is the single most misjudged part of dog ownership. Some dogs are quietly under-stimulated. Others are being run into the ground by well-meaning owners.
Start with energy, not size
A small dog can need more activity than a large one. What matters is the individual: their natural pace, their age and their recovery. A high energy dog who does not get an outlet will find one, usually in your furniture.
A workable baseline
- Low energy: two 20 minute walks with plenty of sniffing time.
- Medium energy: around an hour split across the day, plus some play.
- High energy: 90 minutes or more, including something that makes them think.
Sniffing counts more than you think
Twenty minutes of scent work tires most dogs more thoroughly than forty minutes of walking. Let them stop. A walk where a dog is dragged past everything interesting is exercise for you, not for them.
Puppies and older dogs
Puppies need short, frequent bursts rather than long walks while their joints develop. Older dogs often want to keep going long after they should, so it falls to you to call time.
Signs you have the balance wrong
Restlessness in the evening, destructive behaviour and difficulty settling usually mean too little. Stiffness the next morning, reluctance at the door and lagging on walks usually mean too much.
