Dog Exercise: How Important Is It for Your Dog?

Reading time: about 7 min

This time I want to talk about exercise, because I think we often underestimate its importance. When I lived in an apartment, I was convinced a dog would have a better life in a house with a garden. They could go outside almost whenever they wanted! But after moving to a house, I discovered how easy it was on a rainy evening to think: I can’t be bothered with a walk, I’ll just let the dog into the garden. Back in the apartment, the weather was never an excuse. Every single evening we walked in Harku forest for an hour and a half. Sometimes an apartment dog has a more active life than a dog with a large garden. A garden is a lovely bonus, but it cannot replace walks together, sniffing and discovering new places.

When someone says their dogs have a big garden to run around in, I wonder how much they actually move. My Faddu and Ossu play together, but that does not mean they are exercising their muscles all day. Dogs can run and play in a garden, of course, but a walk also offers smells, choices and opportunities to explore.

Let me share a personal observation. I have noticed that when Faddu walks less, little bumps appear on his body. When we resume regular walks, the bumps seem to shrink and disappear over a few weeks. This is my observation, not proof that walking caused those changes. New or changing lumps under the skin generally deserve a veterinary assessment.

What I can see very clearly is how eagerly Ossu and Faddu await their evening walk. I would almost say they live for that time with me. Once a week would certainly not be enough for them. Given the choice, they would happily walk three times a day! Here are some reasons why running around a garden may not meet every dog’s needs.

How much exercise does your dog really need?

Consider your dog’s breed background

Breed history offers clues, but does not dictate an exercise plan. Herding, hunting and working dogs may have a greater need for activity, while some companion breeds prefer a gentler pace. Even two dogs of the same breed can be very different. Consider age, fitness, health and recovery alongside breed.

I need to move!

Throwing a ball from the sofa or letting a dog out into the garden alone may not meet their physical or mental needs. Too little activity can contribute to weight gain, muscle loss and boredom, although diabetes and behavioural problems have other causes too. Excess weight can create a vicious circle: sore joints make movement uncomfortable, so the dog moves even less. The aim is to find activity the individual dog can manage.

Watch your dog

Dogs differ even within the same breed. Some take breaks voluntarily; others seem to think, “I can’t stop, so I won’t.” We must be the brakes for the latter. Watch for falling behind, unusual panting, changes in gait or poor recovery. Weakness, collapse, bluish gums or severe breathing difficulty mean stopping immediately and seeking urgent veterinary help. Exercise must suit health status, especially with heart or respiratory disease.

The brain needs exercise too!

The brain needs something to do as well as the body. There is no universal rule that every dog needs exactly 20 minutes of mental work and two hours of exercise. Instead, ask whether your dog can sniff, play, learn and rest appropriately each day.

Hide-and-seek is wonderful mental enrichment. Faddu and Ossu react completely differently: when I hide, Faddu runs excitedly from room to room, while Ossu immediately puts his nose to work. You can also divide dinner into small portions, hide them safely around the house and let your dog search.

Let your dog use their nose on walks

Most of us walk our dogs, more or less often, but we may always take the same route and hurry them along. Sniffing provides mental stimulation. Let your dog investigate the ground, trees and bushes. Walks also offer opportunities to practise recall or stopping and sitting before a crossing.

A recurring principle in integrative and behaviour-aware veterinary care is allowing dogs to do natural dog things. Sniffing, calmly exploring and voluntary play are part of wellbeing. Their value cannot be measured solely in steps or heart rate.

Dogs spend much of the day resting and sleeping. Rest is not laziness; it is part of recovery, especially after learning something new or undertaking a demanding activity.

Not every breed is suited to running

Short-nosed breeds such as French and English bulldogs and pugs may face serious breathing difficulties in heat or during exertion. This does not mean they must not move, but their pace, the weather and breathing require particular attention. Some need an airway assessment before increasing exercise.

Don’t take a puppy on structured runs!

Puppies may seem to have endless energy, but their bones and joints are still developing. Too much repetitive, intense exercise too early may increase injury risk.

As a general precaution, it is worth waiting until at least 18 months before beginning regular running training. In large and giant breeds, skeletal maturity may take up to two years. If you want a running companion, first let your puppy grow up. When starting, consider breed, physical development and health, and increase distances gradually. This advice concerns structured running, not a puppy’s normal self-directed play.

Not every activity is safe

Our dogs sometimes want to join us in sport, but rollerblades, bicycles and skateboards make a sudden lunge dangerous for both parties. Risk depends on fitness, surroundings and safe handling, not merely whether the dog is well behaved. Teach the necessary skills in a controlled setting before attempting these activities, and avoid situations where a sudden movement could cause a fall or injury.

Different breeds may prefer different activities

Genetics often influence suitable activities, and mixed-breed dogs may show strong traits from one breed. Energetic breeds such as Weimaraners, Vizslas and some terriers may make excellent running partners, provided they are safely managed, have water, suitable nutrition and enough endurance. A herding dog such as a Border Collie may enjoy agility. Hounds and Beagles may prefer scent work or slow walks that let them investigate every leaf. A sighthound or Jack Russell Terrier may enjoy chasing games.

Breed-specific cautions

Dachshunds, Corgis and other dogs predisposed to back problems deserve extra care with repeated high jumps and sudden impacts. But a breed label alone does not mean a dog cannot play or run. Restrictions should reflect actual health and movement. Gentle scent work and manageable strength exercises can be very valuable.

A good dog is a tired dog?

Boredom may show up as chewing, digging or demanding attention, but not every behaviour problem is caused by too little exercise. Barking, restlessness and destruction may also reflect fear, pain, separation-related stress or skills that have not been taught. Rather than simply “running the dog into exhaustion”, first ask why the behaviour occurs.

Consider age, size and overall health

How much exercise does a dog need? The answer does not fit into one table of minutes. Some healthy, active dogs enjoy long outings, while an older or ill dog may do better with several short walks. Walking, play and structured training stress the body differently. Increase activity gradually, respecting the dog’s pace and how they feel the following day.

Senior dogs need movement too!

It is tempting to let an older dog spend the day on the sofa, but manageable movement helps maintain muscles and confidence. Let them set the pace and take time to sniff. Three kilometres may suit one dog, while a few hundred metres are enough for another. If your dogs are different ages, consider separate walks with the older one: shared quality time, not a mileage competition.

Consult a veterinarian when needed

If a dog limps, has heart disease, breathing problems, severe obesity or another health concern, discuss suitable activity with a veterinarian. A rehabilitation veterinarian can assess mobility, pain and muscle strength and recommend exercises that involve more than simply walking farther.

Integrative veterinary care may also use physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and sometimes acupuncture as supportive measures. Evidence varies between methods, and they do not replace diagnosis or necessary treatment.

For a dog with joint pain, the answer need not be only medication or only massage. A combination of appropriate pain control, weight management, changes to slippery flooring and supervised muscle training may work better. To me, that is a sensible example of integrative care: several appropriate measures, one dog and their real wellbeing.

In conclusion

Movement is one of the foundations of canine wellbeing, but “more” does not automatically mean “better”. Regular, enjoyable activity suited to the individual dog supports muscles, joint mobility and mental wellbeing. For me, what the walk gives the dog also matters: smells, choices and time together.

A little and often is better than one enormous weekly outing that leaves the dog stiff the next day. If a dog can no longer walk as far as before, that does not automatically mean all walks should stop.

Building strength takes time. Start today, but start gently. Watch your dog, not only the clock or step count on your phone.

Sources and further reading

American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, Rehabilitation Therapies: https://www.rehabvets.org/Rehabilitation-Therapies

AAHA, How to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats (2026): https://www.aaha.org/resources/how-to-prevent-heatstroke-in-dogs-and-cats/

Merck Veterinary Manual, Overview of Integrative Veterinary Medicine (2025): https://www.merckvetmanual.com/therapeutics/integrative-complementary-and-alternative-veterinary-medicine/overview-of-integrative-veterinary-medicine

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Integrative Veterinary Medicine (2026): https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/policy-and-outreach/position-statements/statements/integrative-veterinary-medicine/

Original source: Reader’s Digest: https://www.rd.com/list/how-much-exercise-dog/

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