The Ultimate Truth: How Often Should You Walk Your Dog

Okay, so last week my neighbor – you know, the one with that adorable Husky mix – asked me what I thought about her dog’s walking schedule. She’d been doing one long walk in the morning and that was it. Her pup seemed fine, but was it really enough?

That got me thinking about how many dog owners, especially new ones, struggle with this exact question. How often should you walk your dog, really? Turns out there’s no magic number that works for every dog (shocker, I know).

I’ve had three dogs over the past 12 years – all different breeds with totally different energy levels – and let me tell you, what worked for my lazy Basset Hound would have driven my Border Collie absolutely nuts.

Let’s break down what actually matters when figuring out how often should you walk your dog, based on what I’ve learned the hard way.

What Affects Your Dog’s Walking Needs

Not to state the obvious, but dogs aren’t carbon copies of each other. Your friend’s dog might need three long walks daily, while yours might be content with much less.

Breed Matters… A Lot

I learned this lesson when I adopted Murphy, my Border Collie, after having only owned much lazier dogs before:

• High-energy breeds like Border Collies, Labs, or Australian Shepherds typically need 2-3 good walks every day. We’re talking about 1-2 hours total, or they’ll probably find their own “fun” around your house
• Medium-energy dogs like Beagles or Cocker Spaniels usually do well with 2 daily walks, maybe 30-60 minutes total
• Lower-energy breeds – think Bulldogs or Basset Hounds – might actually be fine with 1-2 shorter walks adding up to about 30 minutes

I was totally unprepared for the difference between my previous Basset mix (who sometimes had to be coaxed off the couch for walks) and Murphy, who would literally bring me his leash if we hadn’t gone out in a few hours.

That said, don’t just go by breed stereotypes. My friend has a Greyhound that everyone assumes needs tons of exercise, but in reality, that dog spends about 23 hours a day sleeping. Go figure.

Age Changes Everything

Your dog’s walking needs will shift dramatically throughout their life:

• Puppies are a whole different story. They have these crazy energy bursts followed by total crash-and-burn naps. Instead of long walks (which can actually hurt developing joints), they need frequent short potty breaks and play sessions – maybe 4-5 brief outings daily
• Adult dogs (roughly 1-7 years) have usually settled into their natural energy patterns
• Senior dogs slow down, sometimes dramatically. My old girl Sadie went from loving hour-long hikes to preferring three 15-minute strolls over the course of a day as she aged

I still remember when Murphy hit about 8 years old – practically overnight, our usual 5-mile morning route became too much. I felt awful when I realized he was struggling to keep up. We switched to shorter walks, and he was much happier.

Health and Condition Make a Difference

This isn’t talked about enough, but your dog’s physical condition matters just as much as breed when considering how often should you walk your dog:

• Dogs carrying extra weight might need more frequent, gentle walks to help slim down
• Dogs with joint issues might benefit from several very short walks rather than one long one
• Some medications affect energy levels and exercise tolerance

When Sadie developed arthritis, our vet suggested splitting her usual 30-minute walk into three 10-minute walks throughout the day. Worked like a charm – she got her exercise without the pain.

A Starting Point: How Often Should You Walk Your Dog

While your dog will ultimately tell you what works best, here’s a rough framework based on energy levels:

Energy Level	Daily Walks	About How Long	When to Go
High Energy	3-4 walks	1-2 hours total	Morning, midday, evening, bedtime
Medium Energy	2-3 walks	45-60 mins total	Morning, evening, maybe midday
Low Energy	1-2 walks	30-45 mins total	Morning, evening
Puppies	4-6 quick outings	15-20 mins total	Every few hours when awake
Senior Dogs	2-3 gentle walks	15-45 mins total	Morning, midday, evening

Just consider this a starting point. You’ll need to tweak based on your specific dog. Some days you’ll do more, some days less. Life happens.

Your Dog Is Telling You If It’s Enough

Dogs can’t exactly say “Hey, I need more exercise,” but they definitely let you know in other ways.

When They Need More Exercise

If your dog is doing any of these things, they’re probably not getting enough walks, and you should reconsider how often should you walk your dog:

• Destroying your stuff (RIP to my favorite shoes that Murphy got when he was under-exercised)
• Barking at literally nothing or whining more than usual
• Pacing around the house like they can’t settle
• Bouncing off the walls when guests come over
• Having accidents inside despite being house-trained

About a month after I got Murphy, I came home to find he’d somehow removed all the cushions from my couch and was working on the stuffing inside. Lesson learned – Border Collies need more than one morning walk!

Physical Signs to Watch For

Your dog’s body also gives clues:

• Weight changes even though their diet hasn’t changed
• Getting tired more easily (or the opposite – seeming to have endless energy)
• Muscle changes – less tone or definition

My sister’s Lab started putting on weight despite eating the same amount of food. Turned out, her work schedule had changed and the dog was getting one less walk per week. Just that small change made a difference.

Making Your Dog’s Walking Schedule Work

Dogs are creatures of habit, and having some kind of consistent schedule helps them know what to expect. That said, perfect consistency is… well, not always possible with real life. When deciding how often should you walk your dog, creating a regular schedule is important.

Morning Walks: The Game-Changer

For most dogs, morning walks are non-negotiable:

• They need to relieve themselves after holding it all night
• Morning exercise takes the edge off their energy
• It sets a positive tone for the day
• Cooler temperatures are easier on most dogs

I’m not exactly a morning person, but I drag myself out of bed for our morning walk regardless. Coffee comes after. It’s become so routine that I actually miss it on the rare days we can’t go.

Midday Options

If your work schedule allows (or if you can get help), midday walks provide:

• A break in what could otherwise be a long, boring day for your dog
• Another bathroom opportunity
• Mental stimulation to break up the day

When I started working from home three years ago, adding even a quick 15-minute midday walk made a massive difference in Murphy’s behavior. That small addition completely eliminated his afternoon “zoomies” around the house.

Evening Wind-Down

End-of-day walks serve multiple purposes:

• They help burn off any pent-up energy before bedtime
• They’re a chance to reconnect after work
• They provide a final bathroom break
• They can be more relaxed since you’re (hopefully) not rushing to work

Our evening walks are actually my favorite – the neighborhood is quieter, the lighting is pretty, and both Murphy and I seem to move at a more relaxed pace.

Quality Walks Beat Quantity Sometimes

Here’s something I didn’t understand as a new dog owner: a 20-minute walk where your dog gets to sniff and explore can be more satisfying than a 40-minute forced march where they’re expected to heel perfectly the whole time. The question of how often should you walk your dog is sometimes less important than the quality of those walks.

Mental Stimulation Is Crucial

Dogs experience the world primarily through their nose, and sniffing is like reading the daily newspaper for them:

• Let them stop and investigate interesting scents
• Take different routes when possible
• Allow safe interactions with friendly dogs
• Mix up the pace – sometimes fast, sometimes slow

I used to get frustrated when Murphy wanted to spend five minutes sniffing one particular bush. Now I understand that’s the dog equivalent of me scrolling through social media – he’s catching up on the neighborhood news!

When Regular Walks Just Aren’t Happening

Life gets crazy sometimes. When traditional walks aren’t possible:

• Try indoor games that get your dog moving
• Practice training that requires physical movement
• Use the backyard for fetch or other active games
• Consider a dog walker or doggy daycare

Last winter, we had three straight days of freezing rain. Murphy hates rain with a passion, so we improvised with indoor fetch down the hallway and “find it” games hiding treats around the house. Not ideal, but it helped.

Adjust As Life Changes

Your walking routine will need to evolve, and how often should you walk your dog might change with:

• Seasons change – summer might mean earlier morning and later evening walks
• Your dog ages – what worked at 2 years old probably won’t at 10
• Your schedule shifts – new jobs mean new routines
• Living situations change – moving from a house with a yard to an apartment means more deliberate walking time

When I moved from my house with a fenced yard to an apartment, I had to completely rethink Murphy’s exercise routine. Instead of letting him out for quick bathroom breaks, every single outing became a walk. It was an adjustment for both of us.

People Also Ask: How Often Should You Walk Your Dog

How long should dog walks actually be?

It totally depends on your dog, but most adult dogs need about 30-60 minutes of walking daily, usually split between 2-3 outings. My Border Collie needs closer to 90 minutes total, while my friend’s Bulldog is done after about 20 minutes. Watch your dog – if they’re dragging by the end, it’s too long. If they’re still bouncing off the walls at home, maybe not long enough.

Can you actually walk a dog too much?

Definitely. I’ve made this mistake before. Signs of too much exercise include excessive panting, lagging behind, sitting down during walks, or limping afterward. Puppies especially shouldn’t go for long walks – their growing joints can’t handle it. For adult dogs, work up to longer distances gradually, and pay attention to how they feel the next day.

Is one walk a day ever enough?

For some dogs, sure! My neighbor’s elderly Pug is perfectly content with one 20-minute stroll each day. But most dogs benefit from at least two walks to properly distribute bathroom breaks and energy expenditure. Even if one is just a quick 10-minute potty break, that second outing makes a difference.

What if my schedule makes regular walking impossible?

Been there! Consider hiring a dog walker (even once or twice a week helps), using doggy daycare occasionally, or asking friends/family to help out. You can also supplement with indoor games or training sessions that provide mental stimulation alongside physical activity. Sometimes a 15-minute training session can tire a dog out as much as a 30-minute walk.

Final Thoughts

Finding your dog’s ideal walking frequency is more art than science. Start with the general guidelines for their breed, age, and energy level, but be ready to adjust based on their actual behavior and needs.

Remember that how often should you walk your dog affects pretty much everything – their physical health, behavior, happiness, and your relationship with them. A properly exercised dog is usually a well-behaved dog.

The perfect walking schedule balances what your dog needs with what your life realistically allows. Some days you won’t hit the mark – and that’s totally fine. What matters is consistency over time.

Pay attention to your dog’s signals. They’ll tell you if they need more or less activity – you just need to listen. With some trial and error, you’ll find a walking routine that works for both of you.

So how often should you walk your dog? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but with the guidelines in this post and careful observation of your own dog’s needs, you’ll find the perfect balance.

References

American Kennel Club. (2023). “Exercise Requirements by Breed.” Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need/

PetMD. (2023). “Signs Your Dog Needs More Activity.” Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/how-much-exercise-does-dog-need-every-day

ASPCA. (2022). “Age-Appropriate Exercise for Dogs.” Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/exercise-dogs