How often and how long you should walk your dog depends on your dog’s energy levels and overall health—but if you’re looking for a rule of thumb, most dogs in good shape should be walked twice a day for 15-30 minutes each time.
How Often Dogs Need Walks for Potty Breaks
If your dog has access to a yard where they can do their business, they won’t need walks as often. But if you live in an apartment you’ll need to take your dog on periodic relief walks.
Adult dogs generally need a “bathroom break” at least every 6-8 hours. This translates into 3-4 times a day, whether that’s on a walk or being let outside.
Puppies need potty breaks much more often. Very young (but potty-trained) puppies will probably need to go pee every 2 hours, but the interval gets longer as they grow. By the time a puppy is around six months old they are typically able to wait up to 6 hours.
Senior dogs may also need more frequent potty breaks as they age. As your dog gets older they might need to go outside every 4-6 hours instead of every 6-8 hours, for example.
How often your dog needs a walk to pee isn’t an exact science, of course! Every dog is unique, so your best bet is paying attention to their behavior and adjusting their outdoor time as needed.
How Often to Walk Your Dog for Exercise
How often your dog needs walks for physical activity also depends on their living situation. A dog living in a large house with access to a yard will have more opportunities for movement and stimulation in their home environment compared to a dog living in a small apartment.
The best approach is to consult your vet or a dog trainer who knows your dog well. Then figure out a consistent daily exercise routine that works with your schedule. Dogs love routines and will have an easier time waiting between walks when they know what to expect.
Regular physical activity provides a lot of benefits for your dog’s joints, digestion, circulation and muscle tone, so walking regularly is important even if the length of the walk varies.
More Frequent Walks
High-energy breeds (like Collies, Shepherds and Greyhounds) need more exercise than average—easily up to 1 or 2 hours a day. Some fit, high-energy dogs are even up for jogging and longer hikes. Younger dogs can also benefit from more frequent walks, since they typically have more energy.
You might walk a high-energy dog for 30 minutes in the morning, 15-20 minutes mid-day, and 45 minutes or longer in the evening, depending on your schedule.
If your dog needs a lot of exercise, structured walks aren’t your only option. You can also use fetch, tug-of-war or an obstacle course to help your dog burn off energy. Sessions with a trainer and play with other dogs are also great high-energy activities. Snuffle mats, sniffing exercises and other enrichment activities can also help settle a dog by giving them something to do.
Average Amount of Walks
Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy a 30-minute daily walk plus one or two shorter walks (or outdoor time) as needed for potty breaks.
Fewer or Shorter Walks
Walking for a total of 30 minutes a day (divided up into 2 or 3 short walks) can be enough for lower-energy dog breeds (like Basset Hounds, French Bulldogs and Pugs) as well as smaller lap dogs (like Shih Tzus, Pekingese and Maltese).
Small dogs have to walk faster to keep up with you, so less walking can still go a long way!
Dogs with arthritis or other health issues will also do better with shorter, less-frequent walks. If your dog has a medical condition, ask your vet what they recommend for walking.
Can Walking Help a Dog Lose Weight?
Walking can be a good way to help manage your dog’s weight, but it’s important to follow your vet’s advice for their diet as well. If your dog has a heart condition or other health problem, only walk them as much as your vet recommends.
If your dog is healthy but out of shape, start with a daily walk to establish a habit of regular exercise. If your dog is panting heavily or tries to lie down during the walk, it’s time to head home. You can gradually increase the pace and time as your dog’s fitness improves.
Timing Your Dog’s Walks & Meals
You should wait at least an hour after eating before you take your dog for a walk (or give them any exercise). If they’ve only had a small snack like a freeze-dried raw dog treat, there’s no need to wait. But if you walk your dog immediately after a meal it can make them bloated. Walking too soon after eating can even cause gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), which is rare but dangerous.
GDV happens when a dog’s stomach fills with food, liquid or gas and twists in a way that blocks off both ends. It’s more common in larger breeds with big chests, such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Standard Poodles, but can happen to any dog. Symptoms include a distended stomach, unproductive retching, drooling and labored breathing. If you notice any of these signs, call your vet immediately.
You should also wait to feed your dog until 30-45 minutes after a walk. If you feed them too soon after walking it can upset their digestion. Waiting a bit gives your dog time to cool down and relax. Even though exercise is healthy for dogs, it’s still a form of stress on their system. If you feed them too soon after walking they’ll have a harder time digesting the meal and might experience stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea.
Always provide plenty of fresh water for your dog at and between mealtimes!
Walking Isn’t Just About the Workout
Walks aren’t just good for your dog’s physical health, they’re incredibly important for their mental health too! Here’s why:
- Experiencing sights, sounds and scents outside the home provides stimulation – especially if you walk in new environments
- Spending time walking together strengthens your bond
- Walking is good for your dog’s digestion and helps prevent or relieve constipation
- Walks can help relieve boredom and anxiety
- Walking as part of a healthy routine can help reduce accidents and unwanted behaviors
- Meeting and interacting with other dogs and humans helps with developing social skills
- Walks can be a great time to reinforce skills training like impulse control, “sit” behaviors and good behavior around other people and animals
It’s important to let your dog sniff on walks, because smell is their primary way of gathering information about the world. That said, you also want to make sure they’re doing some actual walking! Aim for a balance that includes stretches of brisk walking for exercise, with plenty of pauses for sniffing and taking it all in.
The climate in your region can make a big difference in your dog’s walking schedule! Learn more about walking your dog in hot weather, and when it’s too cold to walk your dog outside.
