Breed, age and health decide the dose — too little frustrates, too much harms growing joints.
A working breed like a border collie or a husky may need one to two hours of varied activity daily, while a bulldog or an older lapdog thrives on far less. Learn what your breed was bred to do and match the outlet to the individual.
Growing joints are vulnerable, so avoid long forced runs, repeated stair climbing and jumping until growth plates close — around 12 to 18 months depending on size. Free play on soft ground and short structured walks are ideal for puppies.
Physical exercise alone rarely tires a smart dog. Add sniffing walks, training games, chews and puzzle feeders — mental work drains energy and prevents the boredom behaviors that come from an under-stimulated dog.
The full article library — and much more — lives in the DogCompanion app.
Download on the App Store