As we approach National Puppy Day on March 23, 2025, it’s the perfect time to celebrate some of the cutest baby animals in existence: puppies! Founded in 2006 by pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige, National Puppy Day not only celebrates the joy puppies bring to our lives but also raises awareness about responsible pet ownership and the importance of avoiding puppy mills and adopting from shelters. One crucial aspect of puppy care is understanding how to properly exercise your young canine. Walking and hiking with puppies requires careful consideration of their breed, age, and bone development to ensure their health and well-being. For this reason, I’m sharing a guide to walking and hiking with puppies – after all, at Shoreline Happy Paws, we specialize in walking and hiking for dogs of all ages!
A Guide to Walking with Puppies
While we discuss this important topic, it’s important to keep in mind that “walking” refers to structured walks on a leash. Playtime in the yard or walking around the house is not what I’m referring to. I am specifically discussing the kind of walks you take with a dog for exercise – one that is structured and in which the dog(s) keep your pace – not the other way around. BetterPet has a chart that provides a good starting point for all puppy play and activities and how to tailor them to your pup’s age.
The amount of walking your puppy can do depends on the following:
Breed
Breeds that are predisposed to hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia should be walked more carefully than those who are not. Discuss your dog’s genetics with your breeder and, when possible, choose a breeder that has done ample genetic testing so that you know your dog’s bone and joint risk factors. The better the breeder, the more genetic testing they tend to do.
Age
Dogs are puppies for a while and breed plays a key role in your dog’s life stages. A Great Pyreneese, for example, reach adult size at 24 months while a Chihuahua will be fully grown by about 9-12 months. The breed’s size when fully grown often determines how long it takes for them to become adults. Usually, the larger the dog, the longer it takes to reach adulthood.
That said, as a general rule, dogs can enjoy exercise based on their ages as follows:
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0-12 weeks: No structured walks; focus on gentle exploration in safe areas
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3-4 months: 15-20 minutes, twice daily
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4-6 months: 20-30 minutes, gradually increasing time and terrain diversity
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6-9 months: 30-45 minutes as the puppy grows in confidence
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9-12 months: 45-60 minutes
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1 year+: 60 minutes or more should be okay, depending on your dog’s breed and walk frequency
Per UK-based vet charity, PDSA, “Exercising your puppy is crucial, but it’s also important not to over-exercise them while they are growing. This is because their joints need time to mature, and their growth plates need to fuse before they are ready for high intensity exercise/high impact activities. Too much exercise while your pup is young could result in permanent damage to their joints and bones, which has the potential to cause conditions such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. On the other hand, restricting their exercise too much can lead to be boredom and frustration, so it’s important to do what feels right for your pup based on their age, size and breed…”
A Guide to Hiking with Puppies
While hiking can be an excellent bonding activity, it’s crucial to wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated and developed enough to handle longer excursions. Here are some tips for hiking with puppies:
- Start slow: Begin with short, easy trails to build endurance
- Monitor fatigue: Again, watch for signs of tiredness and take frequent breaks
- Bring water: Keep your puppy hydrated throughout the hike
- Choose appropriate terrain: Avoid rough or steep trails that may strain developing joints
- Consider the weather: Avoid hiking in extreme temperatures and always bring weather-appropriate outerwear. gear, and equipment
SHP’s Guide to Walking and Hiking with Puppies
When in doubt, discuss your dog walking and hiking plan with your veterinarian and/or breeder. Breed-specific rescues and reputable breeders tend to provide the best advice pertaining to breed-specific bone and joint recommendations. While veterinarians understand canine bone physiology and can help prevent inappropriate amounts of exercise that could lead to short and longterm issues, they may not be experts in your specific breed.
For rescue dogs whose history and genetics are unknown, the above guidelines are a good starting point, but it’s important to monitor them for pain, discomfort, or fatigue and cut the walk short if you notice that the dog is refusing to keep going, limping, etc. Discuss any concerns or issues you observe with your veterinarian before venturing out too far again.
National Puppy Day in the CT Shoreline
Every puppy is unique, and factors like breed, age, and size can affect their exercise requirements. My recommendation is to always consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice on exercising your puppy. And, contact us if you need help exercising your new puppy. We offer varying visit lengths, which are designed to meet your pet’s unique needs at all their life stages!
This National Puppy Day, let’s celebrate our furry friends by providing them with the care and exercise they need to grow into healthy, happy adult dogs. Whether you’re adopting a new puppy or spending quality time with your current one, remember that responsible pet parenting is key to creating a lasting bond with your canine companion.
The Best Dog Walking & Hiking Company in the CT Shoreline
If you are looking for the best pet care in our area, we are accepting new dog walking, dog hiking, and cat sitting clients! New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you, your family, and your cat(s) up for success. Existing clients may book services by logging in to your client profile.
We serve the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
