How long can my puppy walk on a leash? The 5-minute rule under the microscope

Is it true that puppies can only walk on a leash for 5 minutes per month of life? No, it’s actually complete nonsense! In this article, you’ll learn where this misconception comes from and why you should not follow it.

Can a puppy only walk 5 minutes on a leash?

No! Puppies are neither limited to 5 minutes of walking on a leash per month of life, nor should they only go for short walks.
The 5-minute rule is not only incorrect, outdated, and harmful, but it is also still unnecessarily spread around.
Let’s first look at the background before we address the core question of how long puppies should walk.

Where does the 5-minute rule come from?

The source isn’t clearly defined, as the supposed rule seems to have spread like a game of “Chinese whispers.” The origin is thought to be a study from the 1970s by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The study examined the effects of exercise on the development of hip dysplasia (HD). To do so, researchers confined puppies to small cages.
They were allowed only 5 minutes of movement per month of life. So, 8-week-old puppies could „enjoy“ just 10 minutes of exercise at a time.
Does that sound too little and barbaric to you? It is!
In fact, the incidence of HD was lower, but this was due to the enforced confinement, not any real health benefit.
The study did not examine how this confinement impacted the puppies’ psychology, muscle development, social behavior, or their everyday lives.
These poor test animals were far removed from happy, playful puppies in a family environment.

Why do we do this to our dogs?

Because it’s supposedly for their own good.

The 5-minute rule and the joints:
Not only hip dysplasia, but also joint damage, is said to be prevented by the 5-minute rule. Unfortunately, this is equally nonsense.
For a dog to develop normally and healthily, it must build muscle and move during its growth phase. And this should not be limited to just 5, 10, or 15 minutes.
If you observe an entire litter of puppies during a play phase, you will quickly realize they have a much greater need for movement. Running, chasing each other, tackling, playful fights, and jumping are part of their natural routine. Depending on their age, this can last 30 or 60 minutes at a time.
The exercise is important for coordination, the musculoskeletal system, circulation, digestion, nerves, and overall healthy development.
Just like children, puppies need physical activity to build endurance and release energy. They have a lot of it.
If you want a well-balanced puppy that sleeps deeply, peacefully, and relaxed, they need to burn off that energy. But this should be at their own pace, without overburdening them, causing one-sided strain, or monotonous movement.
Sounds complicated? It’s not, as you’ll see.

Can puppies only walk 5 minutes on a leash – is that true?

The 5-minute rule is often interpreted in different ways. The most common opinion is that it applies to walks on a leash.
So, the puppy should only walk for 5 minutes on a leash per month of life.
For a 12-week-old puppy, that would mean just 15 minutes of leash walking. Is that per day, or per walk? Opinions differ.
But why only so little time on the leash? Because the puppy has to keep up with your pace, so the argument goes.
As with the earlier points, this is also completely wrong.
As long as you don’t force your puppy to walk in step with you, but instead adjust to their pace, take breaks when needed, and let them sniff and explore the surroundings, you will not overwhelm them physically or mentally.
You don’t need to take the leash off to run with them, throw a ball, let them climb over obstacles (if they want to), or practice calling your dog.
What matters more than the leash is adjusting the walk to key factors.

#1: External stimuli

A busy pedestrian street in the city or a quiet country path – the differences in external stimuli are huge.
The quieter the walk, the longer it can be. The more external stimuli bombard the puppy, the shorter the walk should be.

#2: The puppy’s background

If your puppy grew up in the city, already familiar with the smells, sounds, and crowded walkways, that’s great – if you live in the city as well.
The smaller the difference between the breeder’s environment and the new home, the easier it is for the puppy to adjust. They have fewer new impressions to process, making them more resilient.
Do you think a city puppy can easily spend hours exploring the countryside and handle it calmly? No – because this new environment is as overwhelming as moving from a kennel to a home.

#3: The breed

A calm Bernese Mountain Dog or an energetic, more stimulus-driven Border Collie? The breed plays a major role.
The more laid-back breeds are harder to upset and are not as easily overwhelmed.
The more excitable dogs, on the other hand, need to burn off energy physically, but they are more likely to reach their mental limits quickly.
A tailored approach is needed here as well. This applies to the next point too.

#4: The weather

Hot sun and 30°C in the shade or -10°C with a bitter east wind? Keep the walk short.
While southern breeds prefer and handle sunny, hot weather better, and northern breeds are not destroyed by the first snowflake, extreme weather (not only for puppies) can be exhausting and dangerous for their health, especially when coupled with physical exertion.

#5: The individual puppy

Your puppy’s brother may already be going hiking, riding public transportation, and excelling in agility courses, but your puppy can only manage a modest 500 meters with three breaks before they’re done?
Don’t let yourself be tempted by comparisons or competitions. Every dog is an individual with a unique personality, varying daily condition, and different tolerance.
Pay attention to YOUR dog. Learn to read them. Maybe they need just 5 minutes in the beginning, maybe 50 minutes where they mostly sit, look around, and sniff the air. Both are perfectly fine. Maybe your puppy enjoys chasing leaves, following butterflies, or hopping on grass blades.
Let your puppy be a puppy, at their own pace.

How long can a puppy walk?

Of course, you’d like an exact time. Unfortunately, I can’t give you one. No matter how many “experts” claim to know better, your puppy and you are not only individuals but a unique team.
Pay attention to your dog. If they’re tired, nervous, or scared, head home. If today they want to explore longer and are happy and relaxed, take the time (if you can).
Gradually increasing the duration each day is a good guideline. But rest assured, there will be days when a quick loop around the block is enough. It doesn’t matter if your dog is on a leash or not.

P.S.: Wondering what a „stimulus-driven dog“ is? You’ll find the explanation in the upcoming glossary (coming soon).

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