Walking Your Puppy: How Long, What to Bring and Staying Safe
Updated: 3 days ago
Walks are one of the best parts of having a dog. For a puppy, though, the right amount is less than you might expect, and a short walk with lots of sniffing will do far more for them than a long march round the block. Here's how long to walk your puppy, what to bring, and how to keep walks safe and enjoyable as they grow.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Keep walks short while your puppy is growing. A rough guide some people use is around five minutes per month of age, up to twice a day (so about 15 minutes for a three-month-old), but your puppy's breed, size and energy matter more than the maths. Make sure their collar and lead fit, they have an ID tag, you've got poo bags and treats, and keep them on a lead in new places until their recall is reliable. Carry your puppy on outings until your vet says they can go on the ground.
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IN THIS POST
ā How long should I walk my puppy?
ā What to bring
ā Off lead?
ā Don't walk straight after a meal
ā Choosing a breed that matches your life
ā FAQs
How long should I walk my puppy?
Less than you think. Too much exercise while your puppy is growing can strain developing joints. A rough guide is about five minutes per month of age, up to twice a day, until they're fully grown:
3 months: around 15 minutes, twice a day
4 months: around 20 minutes, twice a day
5 months: around 25 minutes, twice a day
Treat this as a starting point, not a rule. Slow sniffy walks count for more than marches. Watch your puppy and head home before they get tired. Read why you shouldn't over-walk your puppy and puppy growth plates and safe exercise.
Before vaccinations
Until your vet says your puppy can go on the ground, carry them on outings so they can see and hear the world from your arms. Your own garden is fine for play.
What to bring
A collar and lead that fit properly
An ID tag on the collar
Poo bags
Treats or a toy in your pocket
A long line if you're practising recall
Off lead?
Only once your puppy has a reliable recall. Letting them off too soon is risky, and it also teaches them that ignoring their name works. Read why puppies forget come.
Furniture and stairs
While your puppy is growing, try to stop them leaping on and off furniture or racing up and down the stairs. If they get the zoomies, redirect them into a calm game with you instead.
Don't walk straight after a meal
Wait a while after feeding before a walk or energetic play. Exercising on a full stomach is linked to bloat in some dogs, which is an emergency. Read feeding your dog before exercise.
Every day, new places
As your puppy grows, short visits to new places are worth more than long walks on the same route. New smells, surfaces and sounds tire their brain in a good way. Read puppy training on walks.
Choosing a breed that matches your life
If you're still choosing a dog, think about how active you are. Some breeds need hours of exercise and brain work each day as adults. Others are happy with a shorter daily walk.
RENEE'S TIP
Put the poo bags, treats and a spare lead in a small bag by the door. When it's all in one place, getting out for a quick walk is much easier.
QUICK CHECK
ā Short walks while growing, about 5 minutes per month of age as a rough guide
ā Carry until your vet says your puppy can go on the ground
ā ID tag, poo bags and treats
ā On lead until recall is reliable
ā No walks straight after meals
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FAQs
How long should I walk my puppy?
A rough guide is about five minutes per month of age, up to twice a day, but watch your puppy and stop before they get tired.
How long should a 3-month-old puppy walk?
Around 15 minutes, twice a day, is a common rough guide. Slow sniffy walks are best.
When can I take my puppy for a walk?
Once your vet says your puppy is protected by their vaccinations. Before then, carry them.
When can my puppy go off lead?
Once they have a reliable recall. Use a long line until then.
Should I walk my puppy after eating?
Wait a while after meals. Exercise on a full stomach is linked to bloat in some dogs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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