How much exercise can my new puppy do - What the science says!

🦴 Why Exercise Matters for Growing Puppies

Puppies are bundles of energy — but when it comes to exercise, more is not always better. Controlled exercise is essential for:

• Building strong muscles and coordination

• Supporting healthy bone and joint development

• Preventing injuries and long-term orthopaedic problems

However, research shows that excessive or inappropriate exercise during growth can increase the risk of skeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) — particularly in large and giant breeds.

📚 What the Research Shows

1. Growth Plates and Exercise Load

A puppy’s growth plates (physes) are soft, cartilaginous areas at the ends of long bones. These plates don’t close until 12–18 months of age, depending on breed size. Excessive impact and repetitive strain - for example playing ball - can cause premature closures of the growth plates during rapid growth phases. This leads to stunting and an increased risk of future lameness. 

Controlled, low-impact activities help growth plates develop normally without stress-induced injury. These activities may seem boring and like they are not giving your puppy enough stimulation - however - we want to stimulate their minds rather than their bodies!

Some of the risks of high impact exercises are shown below:

2. Risk of Orthopedic Disorders

A 2012 study in Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology found that free, high-impact exercise on hard surfaces (like running with adult dogs or on pavement) significantly increased the risk of joint problems in young, large-breed dogs.

Conversely, puppies allowed structured play, varied movement, and moderate off-leash exploration on soft surfaces developed stronger musculoskeletal systems and fewer growth-related issues.

3. Breed Differences and Genetic Factors

Large and giant breeds — such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds — are genetically predisposed to developmental joint diseases (DJDs).
Research from the University of California, Davis (Smith et al., 2013) highlighted that early neutering and over-exercising before skeletal maturity double the risk of hip and cruciate ligament disorders in these breeds.

This doesn’t mean puppies should avoid exercise — but rather that controlled, age-appropriate activity is critical for lifelong joint health.

🐾 Evidence-Based Exercise Guidelines

A good rule of thumb of how much exercise a puppy should do and based on current veterinary consensus is shown below:

🧠 Evidence Insight: Controlled “free play” on varied, soft surfaces supports proprioception and bone density — unlike repetitive, high-impact motions like chasing balls or jumping.

⚠️ Signs of Over-Exercising in Puppies

• Limping or stiffness after play

• Reluctance to move or climb stairs

• Swollen joints or pain when touched

• “Bunny hopping” gait in hind legs

• Excessive fatigue after mild activity

If you notice any of these, reduce activity and consult your vet for a musculoskeletal exam.

❤️ The Benefits of Controlled Exercise

According to Journal of Veterinary Behaviour (2020), controlled physical activity also improves:

• Cognitive development: Exercise enriches the puppy’s brain and learning ability.

• Emotional stability: Regular, low-stress movement reduces anxiety and destructive behaviour.

• Socialization: Structured exercise in safe settings teaches recall, manners, and confidence.

So, controlled exercise isn’t just about physical health — it’s a cornerstone of behavioural well-being too.

🧩 Practical Tips for Safe Puppy Exercise

• Focus on mental stimulation (training games, sniff walks) as much as physical exertion. This is the best way to keep your puppy safe. Try teaching your puppy basic obedience - for example: sit, stay, heel, loose lead walking, lie. For more advanced games you can try to teach them to search for objects. Mental stimulation will help focus their energy, as well as calm them down!
• Use age-appropriate toys and soft-surface play areas.
• Avoid forced running or cycling with young dogs.
• Let your puppy set the pace — rest periods are essential.

• Track your puppy’s growth and discuss tailored exercise plans with your vet.

🩺 Key Takeaway

Evidence-based veterinary research is clear:

🐕 Controlled, varied, and age-appropriate exercise supports healthy skeletal and behavioural development in puppies — while over-exercising increases orthopaedic risks.

When in doubt, follow the “five-minute rule per month of age” and prioritize safe, gentle movement until your puppy reaches full maturity.