Do you have a new dog and want to know how often you should walk them a week? Studies indicate that the average American walks their dog about nine times weekly.
The time you spend walking your dog weekly should depend on several factors. Breed, age, size, nutrition, activity level, and your pup’s health should all be considered. Taking your canine for a walk twice a day for 30 minutes each would be ideal.
In general, you should be careful with puppies and senior pups. If you want to know how many walks dogs need per week, check out this pawsome article.
How Frequently Should You Walk Your Dog?
How often you walk your canine depends on several distinct factors. You can take your adult dog for two walks a day, about 30 minutes each time. However, if you want to go by the estimated amount of time the average American spends walking their dog, a study was mentioned in Psychology Today by canine psychologist and researcher Stanley Coren, Ph.D.
It turns out that Americans put a lot of time and effort into their pup. The average American walks their dog about nine times per week, lasting about 34 minutes. People tend to walk their dogs according to a schedule, typically one walk in the morning and one in the evening. Some factors to consider that may change walking frequency are:
- Activity level
- Age
- Breed
- Health condition
- Nutrition
- Size
All dogs require some physical activity regardless of breed or age. Some dogs can even handle two hours of physical activity per day. However, the exact number of weekly walks can vary from one canine to another. In other words, you understand your pup best. You most likely know how much exercise they can handle.
How Many Walks Do Puppies Need Per Day?
There are a lot of differences between how many walks a puppy needs per week compared to how many walks an adult dog needs per week. Also, there are many factors to be concerned about when walking young dogs. You want to ensure you keep your puppy healthy, which requires you to know when it is safe to walk your puppy and how often you should walk them.
Before walking them, you should wait until your puppy has all their vaccinations because puppies are susceptible to illnesses like parvovirus. Puppies tend to require relieving themselves more than adult canines. However, they also have less endurance than an adult dog, so do not take them far because it can harm their adorable little bodies.
Excessive walking can result in exhaustion and joint damage in young pups. As a general rule, walk or exercise your puppy for a ratio of five minutes for each month of age. If your canine is four months old, you should walk with them for about 20 minutes every time you go. You should probably count on walking them twice a day.
That same four-month old puppy will need a total of 14 walks per week, for a total of 280 minutes of walking per week. Phew! Puppies are a lot of work, but they sure are worth it! Besides considering how much walking a puppy will need per week, a puppy will need several quick potty breaks.
Puppies also need special consideration. Do not walk them when it is too hot or cold, as it can harm their paws. Put little booties on them if you need to take them out for quick potty breaks. If it is winter, make sure they wear something to keep them warm.
How Many Walks Do Adult Dogs Need Per Day?
Several factors determine how many walks an adult dog needs per day. For example, if your dog is out of shape, they may only be able to handle about a 10 to 15-minute walk each day. If your pup has joint pain, you can try keeping the walks short to avoid stiffness and inflammation or aggravating their muscles.
You can always increase your dog’s walking time if their condition improves or start taking them out twice daily. Also, every dog belongs to a specific dog breed group. Each breed differs in how much time you should dedicate to walking your dog. Energy needs also differ between each pup. Some examples of high-energy breeds are:
- American Foxhound
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Border Collie
- Weimaraner
Most adult dogs must be let out for potty breaks about three times a day. You can also substitute time to play a little catch for one of your walks. If your pup gets the exercise they need, they will benefit from good physical and mental health and be more well-balanced. Dogs can also benefit from enjoying the smells, sounds, and scenery of somewhere new, like the dog park.
How Many Walks Do Senior Dogs Need Per Day? 
Senior dogs still require adequate exercise to keep them physically healthy, and most experts recommend they get about 30 minutes of exercise per day. However, you should be mindful of any health condition they may be experiencing that can slow them down, like arthritis. You should also pay attention to any signs your dog may be having trouble:
- Stopping
- Limping
- Laying down
- Panting hard
Older pups may also have certain health conditions that can weaken their bodies. Diseases such as hypothyroidism or diabetes may also slow down your dog. You should talk to your vet about giving your dog joint supplements to help improve their performance.
How to Stay Safe When Walking Your Dog
There are some standard guidelines you should follow when walking your dog. Remember that each canine is an individual and could require more or less weekly walking. You should also limit your pup’s walks if the weather is unsafe. For example, if it is humid outside and your dog is a brachycephalic breed like a pug, they may only be able to handle a short walk.
It could also be a great idea to take your dog for a walk early in the morning and evening during the warmer months to prevent heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs from the body’s inability to cool down. Some of the indications of heat hyperpyrexia in canines include:
- Unusual gum color
- Elevated breathing rate
- Serious dehydration
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Another sign may also be weakness or collapse. You should always take caution when exercising your dog on a scorching day and provide your pup with fresh, clean drinking water to prevent dehydration.
After a walk, you should also check your dog’s paws. Look for any cuts, bruises, splinters, or damage from heat or ice. Wash your pup’s paws and wipe in between the toes and around the foot pads. You can get a unique product for your dog called paw balm, which protects your dog’s paws from damage due to inclement weather.
Conclusion
Ideally, you should walk your dog for about 30 minutes twice a day, or about 14 walks per week. However, most people walk their dog about nine times a week, which is still a lot considering that most people have busy lifestyles.
Your dog is a precious and beloved member of your family. As long as you consider their physical and mental health, knowing that each dog has unique needs, you will be doing well as a pet parent.
Are you a pet parent in the Atlanta, GA region? The Village Vets has 7 practices conveniently located across the Atlanta metro area. Find a location near you today!
