Factors for Determining a Dog’s Walking Schedule

Prior to starting her role as the senior vice president at Raymond James in Beverly Hills, California, Lisa Detanna held executive positions with Morgan Stanley and Imperial Capital. When not advising her clients on intergenerational wealth planning, Lisa Detanna cares for her pets, which include two 33-year old tortoises and a dog.

Walking is important for dogs, as it helps establish a toileting routine and provides an opportunity for exercise and mental stimulation. However, the ideal length and frequency of walks depend on many factors, including a dog’s breed, age, and health. Very young dogs are highly energetic for short periods of time. For this reason, puppies would benefit more from multiple short walks scheduled throughout the day.

Dog breeds with short snouts, such as pugs, have breathing issues that can be exacerbated on long walks. There are similar limitations for overweight or senior dogs. Breeds that require more exercise such as working breeds may require walks more than an hour long. Like people, dogs need to build up their stamina over time. Healthy dogs can begin with a 30 min walk twice per day that can be gradually increased.