How Much Playtime Does a Puppy Need?

It is hard to answer the question “how much playtime does my puppy need?” The breed and age of your pup, among other factors, can vary how much playtime your energetic furball will need. However, there are baseline rules to follow as a starting point for you and your four-legged friend.

5-Minute Rule

The five-minute rule states that for every month of age, your puppy can have up to five minutes of playtime. For example, your 8-week puppy would be given 10 minutes of exercise. Or your 3-month-old pup is given 15 minutes, and so on.  However, there are modified versions of this rule. This includes limiting your pup to this time restraint per play session and having roughly two play sessions a day. For example, an 8-week-old pup is given 10 minutes of playtime twice a day. Stick to the 5-minute rule and then use your best judgment to determine how many play sessions are best for your pup.

Best Times to Play

Playtime and crate training go hand-in-hand. The goal is to train your pup to only bark if they need to be let outside or for other specific commands. If your furry friend is bored in the crate, they will bark to be let out to play and could form a habit of barking in the crate. Prevent this by tiring your pup out about 30 minutes before they need to be crated. Your tired and happy puppy will begin to associate positive feelings with the crate.

Playtime is important to keep your pup from being bored and getting into trouble. Here is a resource to help determine if your pup is bad or just bored.

Best Types of Play

It is best to keep leashed walks short. Long walks can be too demanding and too much exercise for your little friend. Avoiding running, jumping, or jogging is recommended as it puts too much stress on their little underdeveloped joints. Before puppies’ growth plates close around 14 months of age, they are prone to injury or stress on the growth plates from strenuous exercise.

Keep your puppy healthy and occupied with games such as fetch or tug-of-war to help strengthen the bond between you and your pup as well. Chew toys are another great way to keep your pup entertained, especially when home alone.

Why Play Time and Toys are Important

You can discourage your puppy from problematic behavior by having a healthy amount of exercise. Hyperactivity at night, knocking over furniture, rough play, biting, barking, and whining will be prevented with the right amount of playtime. Exercise is essential to your pup’s mental and physical well-being to keep them happy and healthy.

Exercise will improve the health and strength of your pup as well as increase their agility and socialization while reducing behavioral problems. Your four-legged friend needs toys to reinforce healthy chewing, chasing, and biting. It is a great way to challenge them mentally and physically. Get your pal toys in many textures and shapes to satisfy your puppy’s impulses to chew. Keep them away from inappropriate items such as your shoes and socks.

Here are a variety of toys that will keep your pup entertained and happy.

In short, keep play sessions short and fun! Be sure to reinforce calm, good behavior. Keep running and jumping minimal and get lots of toys for your new best friend!