🐾 Doing physical (and mental) activities with your dog

Engaging in physical and/or mental activities with your dog is always a good idea! Your companion needs them for overall balance, at any age. However, activities must be adapted to the dog’s age and physical condition.

💚 Benefits

• Strengthens the dog–owner bond
• Stimulates learning and problem-solving
• Develops physical abilities
• Brings pleasure and shared enjoyment

⚠️ Growth considerations

In puppies, joints are still fragile: avoid jumping, prolonged running, or rough terrain. Choose calm, short activities instead.

🐶 Recommended walk duration

5 minutes per month of age is a good general guideline (e.g. 20 minutes at 4 months). Let the puppy explore at its own pace, without forcing.

🧩 Mental activities

Learning exercises (sit, recall, scent games, etc.) should be short: about 3 minutes per session, several times a day with breaks in between.

🩺 If in doubt

Seek advice from your veterinarian or a canine behaviorist/trainer to tailor activities to your dog.

💬 In summary