Puppy and dog walking tips

Every dog should have at least one walk a day, often two given that in some circumstances under veterinary advice the dog should be rested.

The government recommends that we get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day and this is something that everybody can achieve - and go beyond - on a daily dog walk. The amount of exercise your dog needs will vary according to its breed, but every dog should have at least one walk a day, often two.

Refer to our Breeds A to Z to find out more about the exercise needs of your chosen breed.

Although dog walking is not a high-intensity workout, it is great for cardiovascular development, strengthening of muscles and bones and lowering blood pressure.

• Choose the right collar and lead from the offset – they need to be comfortable, well-fitted and secure
• Put in the groundwork, introducing the lead with rewards and praise, and ensuring your dog is happy and comfortable on a lead
• Make sure your dog has an ID tag stating your contact details – this is a legal requirement. You can purchase tags and have them engraved in our online shop
• Be patient and consistent when out with your puppy on walks – remember that they are still learning!
• Make sure your puppy is trained to return to you when you call their name
• Always take poo bags with you and dispose of your dog's mess safely and cleanly. Any public waste bin will do for bagged dog poo
• Know where you’re allowed to walk with your dog and check that any pitstops are dog-friendly
• Take any food, treats, water and toys that you will need with you
• Don’t exercise your puppy on a full stomach as this may contribute to bloat

• In the first instance you need to report your dog as missing to your local dog warden. If your dog has been picked up then it is likely to have ended up there
• Notify your microchip database. If someone tries to update the details, they will notify you that this is happening
• Contact websites such as Dog Lost - they can help spread the word
• Social media is great at spreading the word. Be sure to attach a photo of your dog and provide the relevant details. Many dogs have been reunited with their owners through social platforms
• Next, contact your local vets in the area - they too can receive dogs which have strayed away from their owners
• Local rehoming centres can also receive lost dogs

The importance of play

For puppies, informal natural play is one of the most important forms of exercises, helping them to build up muscles, strengthen joints and learn how to be social and interact with others. Puppies tend to self-limit play, and will sleep a lot, but it’s important that they get that the opportunity to play and rest when they need to.

Formal exercise

Puppies need less ‘formal’ exercise than fully grown dogs. Taking them for long walks while they’re young can overtire them. You’ll know your dog best, and the amount of exercise a dog can manage will vary between breeds and dogs, but a good rule of thumb is a ratio of five minutes of formal exercise per month of age (up to twice a day) until the puppy is fully grown i.e., 15 minutes (up to twice a day) when three months old, 20 minutes when four months old and so on. As they become older, they’ll be able to cope with larger amounts of exercise.

Why exercise is important

Risks to joints

Some types of exercise can increase a puppy’s risk of developing certain joint problems that can be permanent, painful and debilitating. To reduce this risk, it’s important that puppies:

• Avoid high impact exercise, such as jumping from heights or being taught to jump
• Avoid exercise that involves sharp sudden turns, such as chasing a ball. Never throw sticks for any dogs as they can splinter, wound or impale a dog when picked up in their mouth
• Avoid using the stairs until at least 12 weeks old, but this may be longer for some larger breeds
• Stay a healthy weight, as overweight puppies have an increased risk of joint disease as they mature

It’s also important to never exercise your puppy on a full stomach, as this can contribute to a life-threatening health issue known as bloat.

If in doubt, your breeder, breed club or vet will also be able to offer support and advice about the best ways to exercise your puppy.

It is important that all dogs, but especially puppies, are taught social skills that enable them to be confident, happy and safe in a range of environments and situations. From having household visitors to encountering other dogs, ensuring your puppy is equipped with key life skills will prevent difficult and sometimes concerning behavioural problems.

You should think about enrolling your dog in training classes. See our dog training page for more information, including games you can try at home and a list of The Kennel Club’s accredited instructors.

All owners should clean up after their dog. This keeps people and animals safe, as well as keeping our streets, countryside, and beaches pleasant and clean. Always take a supply of bags with you whenever you leave the house and pick up any mess straight away, sealing the bag and placing the waste in a bin. The bin doesn’t have to be a dog waste bin: a normal litter bin is suitable as well. If there are no bins in the area, then take the bag home and dispose of it in your own bin.

Don’t throw the bag over fences, hang it on a tree or leave the bag on the ground. It is worth making a note of where the public bins are on your route so that you can dispose of the waste responsibly. If you notice that there aren’t any bins in your local area, please contact your local council to let them know. More information about this issue and being a responsible dog owner is available via our Canine Code.

For those not located in England, there is specific guidance for responsible dog walking in your nation. National guidance should always be followed when you are out walking with your dog, and will allow you to enjoy your visit to the countryside whilst educating you on how to act responsibly to preserve the environment for others. Guidance for each nation can be found below:

Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

• Control your dog so that it does not scare or disturb farm animals or wildlife
• When using the new access rights over open country and common land, you must keep your dog on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July - and all year round near farm animals. You may not be able to take your dog at all on some areas or at some times. Please follow any official signs
• You do not have to put your dog on a lead on public paths, as long as they are under close control. But as a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on their obedience. By law, farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals
• If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead - don't risk getting hurt by trying to protect them
• Take particular care that your dog doesn't scare sheep and lambs, or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife
• Across the UK, 7 in 10 livestock attacks are caused by unaccompanied dogs, e.g. dogs that have escaped your garden. Make sure your garden is escape-proof

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is based on three key principles:

• Respect the interests of others.
• Care for the environment.
• Take responsibility for your own actions.

Access rights apply to people walking dogs as long as their dogs are kept under proper control. Your main responsibilities are:

Farm animals:

• Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals
• Don't take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young farm animals
• If you go into a field of farm animals, keep your dog(s) on a short lead or close at heel and keep as far as possible from the animals
• If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field

Crops: Don't take your dog into fields of vegetables or fruit unless there is a clear path, such as a core path or right of way, and keep your dog to the path

Ground nesting birds: During the breeding season (usually April-July) keep your dog on a short lead or close at heel in areas such as moorland, forests, grasslands, loch shores and the sea shore to avoid disturbing birds that nest on or near the ground

Recreation areas and public places: Avoid causing concern to others by keeping your dog close at heel or on a short lead

Dog waste: Pick up and remove your dog's faeces if it defecates in a public open place

You can read more here.

The following simple messages make up some of the NI Countryside Code:

Respect people who live and work in the countryside.

Know where you are allowed to go: Most land is private property and access is only available with the goodwill and tolerance of the owner. Whilst most landowners do not object to recreational users on their land, some do. Always respect a landowner's wishes.

Keep to paths across farmland:

• Help stop damage to crops by walking around the edge of a field unless there is an existing path across it.
• Avoid fields where there are animals, as your presence may cause them stress and endanger your own safety.

Leave gates as you find them.

Don't interfere with livestock, machinery and crops.

Keep dogs under control

• Keep your dog on a lead when walking on roads or when close to farm animals. A dog can cause distress to animals and endanger you.
• Keep your dog under control always so as not to disturb wildlife or annoy or frighten other visitors.

Take your litter home.

Respect other recreational users: Behave responsibly. Where possible, warn others of your approach and slow down or stop if necessary. Irresponsible behaviour could lead to you and your activity being banned from the area in the future.

You can read more here.

Below is a selection of resources which provide suggested walks that both you and your dog can enjoy:

• Forestry England - Help and advice on walking your pet in woodlands around England
• Outdoor Access Scotland - Guidance on walking your dog in Scotland 
• Woodland Trust - Find woodlands managed by the Woodland Trust to walk your dog in
• British Waterways - Information on how you and your dog can discover Britain's 4,000 miles of rivers, lakes and canals
• The Ridgeway - This national trail follows a route through the countryside which has been used since prehistoric times
• Canal and River Trust - Find dog friendly places on the canals and rivers