It is very common that we expect our puppies to need or want a lot of exercise when actually, they don't. It is often misunderstood that if you walk your puppy for long periods of time that you're making them 'stronger' and 'fitter' and playing ball is a great way to tire out your excitable puppy.
High intensity or high impact exercise like playing fetch, can be extremely damaging to puppies later on in life and commonly causes bone fractures.
The rule for walking puppies is : 5 mins for every month of age - Eg: a 4 month dog is allowed to do 20 mins off exercise a day. This can be split into two walks a day.
'But How can Too Much Exercise Actually Damage My Puppy?'
Too much exercise can affect the development of their growth plates. Any injury or damage to the growth plates before the dog reaches maturity can cause deformaties or problems such as hip or elbow dysplasia.
'So, What exercise is good for my puppy?'
A good mix of walking, playing, training and socialising with other vaccinated puppies is a great way of keeping your puppy physically and mentally healthy and happy!