How Much Play Time Do Puppies Need?

Keeping your pup active and happy is important for their health. The breed and age of your pup, among other factors, can vary how much playtime your energetic fur-ball will need. However, there are baseline rules to follow as a starting point for you and your four-legged friend.

Five Minute Rule

The five-minute rule states that your pup can have up to five minutes of exercise for every month of age. So, your 8-week puppy can play for 10 minutes daily. However, this can differ depending on the size, breed, and energy level of your furry friend. As long as your new friend is not overworked and exhausted it is okay to continue playing. You may want to have playtime for five minutes in the morning, a few times throughout the day, and then again before bed.

When To Play

Playtime is important when you are crate training your new friend. The goal is to train your pup to only bark when they need to be let out. If your pup is bored, they may develop a habit of barking.  Here is a resource to help determine if your pup is bad or just bored. To train your pup successfully, you should only crate your pup when they are tired and happy.  Then, they will associate positive feelings with the crate.

Additionally, you should introduce toys to your four-legged friend early on. This will reinforce healthy chewing and biting. you should keep items such as old socks or shoes away from your pup so they can distinguish between what is appropriate to chew on and what is not. Toys will challenge your pal mentally and physically in a way that they enjoy and will quickly wear them out. Here are a variety of toys that will keep your pup entertained and happy.

What To Avoid

Puppies under 14 months old are prone to injuring their growth plates from strenuous exercise. To avoid bone deformations, you should keep walks short and not too demanding on their little legs. Additionally, they should hold off on running, jogging, and jumping. This also means that you shouldn’t let them jump onto beds or couches. Instead, pick them up to avoid putting stress on their joints.

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!