How Much Exercise Does A Dog Need Every Day? (And Signs Yours Isn't Getting Enough)

The couch cushion is shredded. Your dog barks at every leaf. And at 10pm, when you finally sit down, the zoomies start. Before you blame your dog's personality, ask a simpler question: are they getting enough exercise?

How Much Exercise Does A Dog Need?

It depends on age, breed, size and health. A common rule of thumb is somewhere between 30 minutes and two hours of activity a day for most adult dogs. Your vet can give you the right target for your dog.

• High-energy breeds like retrievers, shepherds, huskies and terriers often need more, sometimes well over an hour a day.
• Smaller and lower-energy dogs may be happy with shorter walks and some play.
• Puppies do best with several short sessions instead of one long one.
• Senior dogs still need daily movement, just gentler and shorter.

Signs Your Dog Needs More Exercise

• Chewing, digging or destroying things
• Barking or whining for attention
• Restlessness, pacing or zoomies at night
• Pulling hard on the leash because walks are rare and exciting
• Weight gain

Why The Yard Isn't Enough

Letting your dog out back isn't the same as a walk. Most dogs patrol the same fence line and come back inside. A walk adds new smells, new sights and steady movement, which tires out both body and brain.

How To Fit It Into A Busy Week

Most people don't skip walks because they don't care. They skip them because work runs late and it's 94 degrees out. Spread exercise out: a short morning walk, a midday break, and evening play. A dog walker can cover the midday walk while you're at work.

Let Us Take The Midday Walk

We offer 30, 45 and 60-minute walks, weekly, twice weekly, biweekly or one time, starting at $17.99 per walk, with a photo update after every walk. Already getting your yard scooped? Add a walk to the same visit from $9.99. Get your free instant walking quote for Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Land O' Lakes, San Antonio, Dade City, Lutz, New Tampa or Plant City.

Too Busy to Give Your Dog the Exercise They Need?

Long workdays leave a lot of dogs with pent-up energy, and it shows up as chewing, barking and digging. You don't have to feel guilty about it. Hand off the walk to us, and your dog gets real exercise while you get your evening back. Walks start at $17.99 for 30 minutes, with a photo update after every walk and no contracts. Already getting your yard scooped? Add a walk to the same visit from just $9.99.

We walk dogs in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Land O' Lakes, San Antonio, Dade City, Lutz, New Tampa and Plant City. Get your free instant walking quote in about 60 seconds, with no phone call needed.

Keep reading: How Much Does A Dog Walker Cost In Wesley Chapel? and Why A Clean Yard Matters Even More Once Your Dog Starts Slowing Down.

About the Author

Tiffani, Owner of Scoop Dog

U.S. Army veteran and Zephyrhills dog mom to Luna and Snickers. Tiffani personally scoops yards and walks dogs across Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Land O' Lakes, San Antonio, Dade City, Lutz, New Tampa and Plant City, and writes every guide from what she sees in local backyards each week. Read her story.