Walking your German Shepherd is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. It's also a great bonding experience for you and your furry friend. But how often should you walk your dog? Once a day? Twice a day? Or maybe three times per day?!
Let's waste no more time, and jump right to the topic!
How Much Exercise Does Your German Shepherd Need?
The amount of exercise your German Shepherd needs depends on several factors, including its age, type, and health condition. For example, a young, healthy German Shepherd dog will need more exercise than an adult German Shepherd. Most German Shepherds need about 30 minutes to two hours of exercise every day.
However, it's important to note that this is just a guideline. Some German Shepherds may need more exercise while others may need less. If you're unsure about how much exercise your dog needs, it's best to consult with your veterinarian and dog trainer. They'll be able to give you specific advice based on your dog's individual needs.
How much should I walk my German Shepherd a day?
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for both you and your German Shepherd. Not only does it provide much-needed physical activity, but it also gives your dog a chance to explore the world and use its senses (sight, smell, hearing, etc.).
In general, you should aim to walk your German Shepherd at least once a day. But again, this will vary based on factors like your dog's age, type, and health condition. If possible, it's best to break up their walks into two or three shorter walks throughout the day rather than one long one. This will help ensure that they're getting the appropriate amount of exercise without overdoing it.
How many miles a day should I walk my German Shepherd?
If you're wondering how many miles a day you should walk your German Shepherd, the answer depends on a variety of factors (dog's age, type, and health condition). In general, most German Shepherds can handle 3 miles (5 km) without any problem. With proper training, some German Shepherds can take long-distance walks up to 12 miles (20 km)!
If your German Shepherd isn't in a good shape, or even worse has some health issues, don't go on long-distance walks.
Pushing your German Shepherd too hard and too fast could result in a litany of injuries, including but not limited to muscular, tendinous, ligamentous, joint, or bone problems.
Should I walk my German Shepherd every day?
Yes, you should strive to walk your German Shepherd every day. Not only is going for walks an excellent way to get some fresh air and exercise, but it's also a perfect time to deepen your bond with your German Shepherd. Walks are also important for the physical and mental health of your dog.
If you're a new German Shepherd dog owner, or you have in plan to get a GSD puppy, have in mind that sometimes, daily walks will be not enough to tire your dog.
German Shepherd is a high-energy dog breed, and you need to work a lot with them in order to tire them.
A tired dog is a healthy and happy dog. If your German Shepherd has a lot of energy even after walking, walk him again later, or play some game with him which includes physical activity.
Is it OK to walk the German Shepherd twice a day?
Yes, it is perfectly OK to walk your German Shepherd twice a day. In fact, breaking up their walks into two or three shorter walks throughout the day may be better for them than one long walk. This will help ensure they're getting the appropriate amount of exercise without overdoing it.
Just be careful. If your German Shepherd is too young, or too old, walking him twice, or more than twice, in one single day can be dangerous sometimes.
If you overload the body of a young German Shepherd, muscle injuries may occur very fast, and later in life, they may suffer from hip dysplasia.
It's very important that the German Shepherd's body is fully mature when you start to increase its physical activity.
Can I walk my German Shepherd dog once a day?
Yes, you can walk your German Shepherd dog once a day, and most GSD owners walk their dogs once and day. Make sure that you spend enough time with your dog outside during walk time, and try to reduce his energy level to the minimum.
Is it OK not to walk your German Shepherd every day?
Your German Shepherd will be okay if you do not walk him someday, but try to avoid that. This dog breed has a lot of energy that you need to spend. If you don't have enough time to walk him by yourself, find someone else who can do that.
We all are busy, and sometimes, we believe that we don't have enough time. Usually, German Shepherds become completely mature by the age of 2.
Most people think that we need more time, but in fact, we need a well-organized day.
Your life, and the life of your German Shepherd dog, will be much easier if you have a daily planner. Try to organize your day, and always do the most important things first.
If you believe that daily routines are boring for German Shepherds, you're so wrong!
This dog breed loves daily routines and doing tasks, so try to keep your life and time well organized.
German Shepherd walking time by age
It's very complicated to give an answer to this type of question because German Shepherd walking time depends on many factors.
Before you make a decision, ask yourself, is my German Shepherd perfectly healthy? Is he tired or not?
And most importantly, know your German Shepherd persona. Some dogs from the same dog breed can walk far way more than others.
We're all built differently, and so are our dogs. The only way to find out an answer to this question is to test your German Shepherd and see how long it takes for your German Shepherd to become tired. Once you notice that your dog is completely tired, reduce walking time by 20%.
For example, if you walk with your German Shepherd for 120 minutes, and he is so much tired, reduce the walking time by 20%, and instead of walking for 120 minutes, walk your GSD for around 90 minutes.
Here at our table, you can find a recommended walking time for German Shepherd dogs by age.
| Age | Walking time |
| 0-2 months | 10-20 minutes twice a day |
| 2-4 months | 10-30 minutes twice a day |
| 4-8 months | 20-40 minutes twice a day |
| 8-12 months | 20-40 minutes twice a day |
| 12+ months | 30-60 minutes twice a day |
When is it safe to walk a German Shepherd puppy?
Most German Shepherd owners start slowly walking their puppies around the 8-week mark, or 2 months old. At this point, your German Shepherd puppy will be old enough to start exploring new things.
When you take your German Shepherd puppy on the first walk, take him to a more peaceful environment and keep him on the leash.
Introduce new things to your puppy gently and slowly. If you notice that your GSD isn't comfortable during the walk, step back and take pause.
It's really important that your German Shepherd gain trust in you, and the first 2-12 months are the most important
How often should I walk my German Shepherd puppy?
It's important to allow to German Shepherd's body to properly grow. If you walk him too much, you can damage his muscles and bones, but also, if you don't keep him active, he can't grow properly. Try to find a balance, and walk your puppy for the first 6 months twice a day for 10-20 minutes.
It's better for him to have two shorter walks, than one very long walk. Start with small steps, and over time, slowly increase his walking time and activity level.
Should I let my German Shepherd dog sniff on walks?
Yes, it's generally a good idea to allow your German Shepherd to sniff on walks. This is a great way for them to explore their surroundings and learn new things. Plus, it can be really fun for both you and your dog! Just make sure that the "sniffing area" is completely safe.
Many people wonder why their German Shepherds seem to insist on smelling every single item they encounter on walks. There are a few reasons why dogs sniff so much, but the main reason is that they are trying to learn as much as possible about their surroundings.
By sniffing around, dogs can gather a lot of information about the people, animals, and objects around them. This can help them feel more comfortable and safe in their environment. Additionally, sniffing can be a fun activity for dogs and can help keep them stimulated and engaged during walks.
Physical activity is good for your German Shepherd's health
Physical activity is a good way to keep your German Shepherd healthy and happy. Exercise helps dogs feel good both mentally and physically, and it can help prevent a number of health problems.
Some of the benefits of exercise for dogs include:
- improved cardiovascular health
- stronger muscles and bones
- reduced obesity and weight gain
- reduced stress and anxiety
- better mental clarity and focus
- improved joint health
Besides all these benefits, German Shepherds are working dog breeds. They're born to work. It's in their genes. Give your best to provide as much as you can to your dog, and you'll be surprised at what they're capable of.
Other Forms of Exercise
In addition to walking, there are other things you can do to keep your German Shepherd active and healthy. These include playing fetch or catch, going for a swim, going on a hike or run (if they're up for it), participating in agility training or classes (like flyball or nose work), or even just playing around in the backyard.
The important thing is to find an activity that both you and your German Shepherd enjoy so that it doesn't feel like a chore for either of you. Exercising with your dog can be a fun bonding experience for both of you if you approach it with the right attitude!
If you don't have any idea which type of activity would be ideal for you and your German Shepherd dog, you can check out our favorite things to do with a German Shepherd dog!
Suggestion: The best things to do with your German Shepherd dog
Learn more
Struggling to walk your German Shepherd dog? Then watch this tutorial before you start walking German Shepherd again and discover many useful tips by Victoria!
Final words
Without any doubt, walking your German Shepherd almost every single day of the year is a must. If you can't achieve that, we highly recommend you search and get other dog breeds.
These dogs are full of energy, and if you don't spend that energy, they can become destructive.
If you already have a German Shepherd dog, and you're struggling with walking time, try to better organize your day, or find someone who can walk your dog.
Keep your German Shepherd always active, and he will have a long and happy life!
