LIFESTYLE NEWS - How much exercise to give a puppy is one of the most common questions puppy owners ask. Can a puppy get too much exercise, and why is this important anyway?

The problem is that puppies experience remarkable growth and development for several months following their birth. Typically, they reach their full adult size around one year old, although larger breeds may require a more extended period - often between 18 months and two years - to attain their full physical stature. 

Understanding this growth timeline is essential for any puppy owner who wishes to provide appropriate care and exercise tailored to their pet's developmental needs.

From the moment it is born, a puppy's skeletal structure is still soft and malleable, particularly in the bones of the forelimbs, pelvis, and hind limbs. This softness is mainly due to the presence of growth plates - cartilage-rich areas at the ends of long bones where new bone development occurs. These growth plates play a crucial role in allowing puppies to grow into strong, healthy adults. 

However, they are also considered weak points of the skeletal system. While the puppy is still growing, the growth plates remain tender and pliable. As the puppy approaches maturity, the growth plates will begin to harden and calcify due to the accumulation of calcium and minerals within the bones, eventually leading to the cessation of most growth when they join together.

During this vital growth period, puppies are particularly vulnerable to a host of bone and joint disorders, especially if they are subjected to excessive physical activity. Over-exertion can disrupt the delicate process of growth plate development, posing risks for abnormal bone formation.

 A common issue that arises is a condition where a dog’s wrist begins to turn inward, creating an unsightly and functional misalignment.

In more severe cases, damage to the growth plates can completely halt bone development, potentially resulting in significant complications such as limb shortening, joint deformities, and impaired mobility throughout the dog's life.

Growth plate damage can result from a variety of factors. For instance, a minor bump or knock on a leg can cause an injury, even if it doesn't result in an open wound. Moreover, allowing puppies to overexert themselves - especially when their growth plates are still soft - can lead to long-term physical issues. 

Therefore, vigilant monitoring and regulation of exercise routines are critical to protect puppies during their formative stages. Activities characterised by high impact, rapid changes in direction, or twisting movements should be avoided until the growth plates have fully matured and closed.

Consequently, it is crucial for puppy owners to thoughtfully structure exercise routines. Long walks, jogging on hard surfaces, engaging in agility training, jumping, and playing fetch with balls or frisbees should be minimised or eliminated entirely until the puppy is older and physically more developed.

Instead, exercise routines should be gradually introduced in a controlled manner, allowing increasing levels of activity as the puppy grows. Maintaining opportunities for socialising, exploring and adventure remains vital, as these experiences are key to promoting a puppy’s overall mental and emotional well-being.

As a safer alternative to high-impact activities, consider involving your puppy in gentle games and low-intensity play. 

Engaging them in activities like “find the toy,” teaching recall commands, practising sit and stay commands, and heel walking can be delightful ways to bond with your puppy while also delivering vital mental and physical stimulation.

According to veterinarians, an appropriate amount of exercise for puppies is five minutes for every month of their age, up to twice daily. For example, a three-month-old puppy can enjoy 15 minutes of exercise in the morning and again in the evening. It’s important that this exercise should exclude high-intensity or strenuous activities that might endanger a puppy's development. 

By progressively increasing exercise duration - by an additional five minutes for each month of age - owners can safely elevate their puppy's activity levels as they mature, ensuring a healthy transition to more vigorous forms of play and exercise. This thoughtful and descriptive approach not only fosters the growth of a physically healthy dog, but also strengthens the bond between the puppy and his owner.

Refer to the chart.pdf of the approximate amount of exercise a puppy should get. If you are unsure of this, please have a chat with your veterinarian to avoid causing orthopaedical damage to your puppy.

I know some might approach this article with scepticism, so I’d like to share my own experience with my puppy. When I was younger, my family and I became passionate about dog agility - it's such a wonderful sport! I decided I wanted another agility dog, so I purchased a puppy from a breeder and named him Blue. He was an impressive pup, learning new things very quickly, and I started teaching him about agility at a young age.

I didn’t allow him to jump at full height, but I set all the crossbars to the lowest settings, thinking that would be safe. 

One day, I noticed Blue was limping. Initially, I thought it was just a sprain, so I decided to rest him for a few days, expecting he would be fine. However, weeks went by, and Blue continued to limp.

Some days, he seemed better, but on others, he could hardly stand on his front paw. This worried me, so I took him to a veterinarian in Knysna, who took X-rays of his front shoulder. To my shock, the X-rays revealed that a small piece of bone had chipped off the head of Blue's humerus.

The veterinarian asked about Blue’s activities and explained why this injury likely occurred. Blue underwent three surgeries and unfortunately never walked normally again; he had to retire from agility. This experience taught me a vital lesson about growth plates and the importance of research when training puppies. Please be cautious; one simple mistake can lead to an injury that affects a puppy for the rest of its life.

Click below for a guidance chart on how much exercise your puppy should get.

How much exercise is appropriate for my young puppy.docx

Article by George van Huyssteen (DipCABT, CCAB, CABTi, Mhera)

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