Is My Dog Getting Enough Exercise?

Have you ever felt like you just could not keep up with your four-legged family member? You thought the daily mile walks would be enough, yet your herding dog never seems to sit still! You just got a new puppy, but you work full-time and do not feel like you have the time to socialize them, or there are not enough hours in the day for extra playtime. Maybe you underestimated the amount of exercise your working breed dog requires daily compared to the amount of exercise you do. A restless pup can expel their energy in ways that humans deem negative, but if your pup got the adequate allotment of daily exercise their breed requires, you might see positive changes! Restless, pent-up energy can reflect in behavioral issues and disobedience, destructive tendencies in the home, and other attention-grabbing actions simply because your pup longs to get that energy out!

The Run Wagon gals hope to ease your guilt and give you an option to help keep up with your busybody pup! We hope that a 30-minute session on the slat mill, a self-paced, non-motorized doggie treadmill, will help expel some of your pup’s energy and have a positive impact in your home. We can help those who have a dog that needs supplemental exercise along with their one-on-one daily walk. We can assist those whose circumstances are out of their control and no longer have the yard space for their active pup. The Run Wagon can help human beings of all ages when it comes to getting their pup exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation. Before we investigate the recommendations on how much exercise is suggested for your specific breed of pup, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian for their suggestion on an adequate exercise regimen.

According to veterinary professionals, the amount of exercise recommended for your pup depends on a few things. It’s important to consider the breed, age, and overall health of your dog. There will be different exercise length recommendations for a healthy, young dog compared to an older dog that might have arthritis. There will be differences among dog breeds as well! Regardless, daily exercise is still important! Even brachycephalic dog breeds, such as Frenchies and English Bulldogs, need some form of daily exercise, though comparatively less than, let’s say, a Border Collie. The recommended daily amount of exercise, regardless of dog breed, is at least 30 minutes. This 30-minute recommendation consists of active walking and consistent movement. Playtime at home with their dog parent is recommended on top of this 30-minute exercise. This changes for high-energy, larger dog breeds, increasing to 60-90 minutes of daily exercise.

High-energy dog breeds that may require more than 30 minutes of exercise include all working, sporting, and herding dog breeds. This group of dogs would fare better with 60-90 minutes of daily exercise to truly work off their energy, along with additional playtime at home with their human parent to encourage enrichment and attention in a more fun approach. These dogs include Collies, Shepherds, Sheepdogs, Heelers, Retrievers, Setters, Pointers, Spaniels, Huskies, Boxers, and Rottweilers.

At The Run Wagon, one of the owners has a Coton de Tulear that needs more than 30 minutes of exercise a day, and his max weight is 15 lbs. We would also bet that some Wire-Haired Terriers or Jack Russell Terriers have energy levels as wiry as their hair! Tiny but mighty is what we would call that. Even though The Run Wagon offers 30-minute sessions at a time, we have monthly subscriptions that allow us to come to your front door 1-3 times a week to help unleash your dog’s energy! We have dog clients who often run 1.5-2.5 miles each session! The freedom the slat mill offers your pup allows them to run at their own pace! That benefits you, the owner, because your pup isn’t held back by your pace, nor are you getting tugged on, causing shoulder and arm pain for you. I know I can no longer run a mile in seven minutes, but your herding pup likely can!

Now, I know you’re wondering what the benefit of a 30-minute session on a doggie treadmill would be for your elderly pup. Daily movement and exercise are important for dogs of all ages. Your dog is similar to you in that the more you sit still and do not move around or get exercise, the stiffer you get! Even if the pace is slow, with The Run Wagon slat mills, your older pup can go as slow as they need to during their 30-minute session. At least they’re moving! Distance is not the goal with older dogs—consistent movement, or what we like to call “walkies,” is the goal.

Even if your old dog is doing the “ba dum ba dum” walk, they are getting all the attention, encouragement, and love during their session. We encourage water breaks and even give a good massage on those leg muscles. They’re working just as hard as the young ones! We also recommend talking with your vet about joint supplements and scheduling yearly check-ups for your elderly pup.

You know your pup best, as well as your schedule and to-do list. The Run Wagon is an option to consider if you need supplemental help getting your high-energy dog the amount of daily exercise they need. We can also run your dog for you while you catch up on some chores. Or, if you’ve wrangled yourself a bigger, higher-energy dog than you anticipated and need help, we can be that help!

Please think of us anytime you don’t feel like going on that 30-minute walk/run or when you know the weather will not be on your side for exercising your pup. We offer single-session drop-ins too if you find your schedule overbooked. We are just a text or phone call away if you need same-day help or have an inquiry! The Wagon is climate-controlled, so we can see you and your pup in any season!

We hope to help you have a well-exercised, fluffy pancake—tired out and happy, rather than a destructive, zoomie-filled pup that you cannot keep up with, adding stress to your day. So just remember: 30 minutes of exercise minimum every day for your pup, and often, they need more than that to be truly worked out! Daily, consistent exercise helps with your pup’s mental and physical health, and with The Run Wagon gals, we can help knock out the socialization aspect too!

 

 

 

 

 

Sources:

Burke, Anna. “How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need Every Day?” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 16 Apr. 2024, www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need/. 

Richardson, Dr. Jamie, et al. “Exercise Needs for Puppies, Adults and Senior Dogs.” Small Door Veterinary, www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/wellness/exercise-needs-dog-lifestages#puppy. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025. 

Staff, AKC. “Akc Dog Breed Groups: Understanding Breed Groups at AKC Shows.” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 14 May 2024, www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/7-akc-dog-breed-groups-explained/. 

Veterinary Hospital, Best Friends. “Here’s How Much Exercise Your Dog Needs: Best Friends Veterinary Hospital .” Best Friends Veterinary Hospital, 16 Jan. 2024, bestfriendsvet.org/blog/dog-exercise-needs/. 

Young, Justin. “How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need?” How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need? | PetSafe®, 20 Mar. 2018, www.petsafe.com/blog/how-much-exercise-does-my-dog-need/.