VinnyGuide
How much exercise a puppy needs
About five minutes per month of age per outing, twice a day, then scaled by breed. Growing joints first — not a hike to tire them out.
The starting rule
Five minutes × age in months, per outing. A three-month-old starts near fifteen minutes, not an hour loop. Split the day. Sniffy and cool beats pavement mileage. This is the same cap Vinny uses on the daily plan.
Breed changes the cap
A Border Collie puppy who “still has energy” usually needs a job — sniff, scatter feed, a two-minute settle — not more road. A French Bulldog melts in heat; short sniffs in cool hours. Adult walk targets live on each breed page so you do not borrow a husky plan for a pug.
What is not exercise
Forced jogging, repetitive ball on hardwood, stairs as a workout. Large and giant pups pay for that later. Overtired mouthing is a nap problem — see puppy biting — not a sign you under-walked them.
What Vinny does with this
Today names a joint-safe outing from age and the breed pack. Tell Vinny who they are. How we coach: Vinny’s method.
FAQ
How much exercise does a puppy need?
A common starting rule is about five minutes per month of age per outing, twice a day, then scaled by breed energy. Growing joints first — not a hike to “tire them out.”
Can I take my puppy on a long walk?
Not a forced jog or repetitive ball on hardwood. Sniffy loops, short and cool, beat mileage. A Border Collie puppy and a French Bulldog should not share a plan.
Does breed change how much a puppy should walk?
Yes. Energy, size, and airway risk change the cap. Vinny’s breed pages and Today plan use those packs — not a generic “tire them out” chart.