How Much Playtime Do Puppies Need?

The question of “how long should I play with my puppy?” is hard to answer. Because it depends on the breed, gender, age, and individual differences. Start by following the modified version of the 5-minute rule and then make small adjustments from there depending on the energy level of your puppy.

Modified 5-Minute Rule

One of the most popular answers to how long a puppy should exercise per day is 5 minutes for every month of age, twice a day. This means an two-month-old puppy should get 10 minutes of exercise twice a day. This is a good starting point, but not all dogs are the same. You need to take into account the breed, gender, and energy level of your puppy. It’s also important to split up the exercise in multiple sessions throughout the day.

Why Limit Puppy Play Time?

We all know that not playing with your puppy or giving them time to exercise is bad for the long term health of the dog. But did you know that too much play and exercise time is just as bad as not enough?

Puppy’s growth plates close around 14 months of age. Puppies that run around and play too much can place a lot of stress on their growth plates. This stress could lead to bone deformations, which will cause long term issues. That’s why it’s important to split up exercise sessions, so your pup can have some time to recover.

Never end a play session with your pup exhausted. Always leave him wanting a little more play time. It takes a little practice, but you’ll eventually learn what’s best for your puppy.

How often do you play with your pup? We would love to hear from you!