The rule most vets give is five minutes of walking per month of age, up to twice a day. A three-month-old gets 15 minutes; a six-month-old 30. It’s a guideline, not a law, but it’s a good one — puppies’ growth plates don’t close until 12–18 months, and repetitive pounding on pavement is what damages them.
Puppy walk length by age
| Age | Per walk | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 5–15 min | Mostly sniffing and sitting. Carry them in busy spots; vaccines aren’t done. |
| 3–4 months | 15–20 min | Two walks a day. Grass and trails over concrete. |
| 4–6 months | 20–30 min | Vaccines complete; group play becomes the better exercise. |
| 6–12 months | 30–45 min | Still no long runs on pavement, no jogging beside a bike. |
| 12–18 months | 45–60+ min | Adult exercise once your vet confirms growth is done — later for large breeds. |
Walks are not the same as exercise
A leash walk is mental work for a puppy — new smells, sounds, people, the discipline of walking beside you. That’s tiring in itself, which is why a 15-minute walk knocks a 12-week-old out. Physical exercise for a puppy should be free movement on soft ground where they choose the pace and can stop: a yard, a fenced park, a living room. Twenty minutes of off-leash play on grass is safer for joints than twenty minutes of heeling on a sidewalk.
Signs you’ve gone too far
- Lying down and refusing to move mid-walk
- Limping or stiffness after rest that evening or next morning
- Frantic, “overtired” behaviour — nipping, zooming, unable to settle
- Reluctance to go out the next day
Weather
Pavement over 30°C burns pads; put the back of your hand on it for seven seconds. Below −10°C, short walks and check between the toes for salt and ice. Toronto has both extremes; on those days, indoor play and a short potty walk are the whole plan.
Where daycare fits
Once the vaccine series is done (around 16 weeks), a half day of dog daycare does what a walk can’t: an hour or two of self-paced play on grass with a matched group, then an enforced nap. Our park is divided into nine areas so puppies aren’t in with the adult pack, and half days (up to 4 hours) are $39 on weekdays. When they’re older, the off-leash outings — about 90 minutes off-leash — replace the long leash walk. Start with a free assessment: book a free assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk my puppy before vaccinations are complete?
Short walks in low-traffic areas, yes; avoid dog parks and places with unknown dogs until a week after the final round.
How many walks a day does a puppy need?
Two short ones plus several potty breaks beats one long one.
When can a puppy start running with me?
Not before 12 months, and 18 for large breeds. Ask your vet to confirm the growth plates have closed.
