Hiking Enthusiast Dog Owner Seeks Advice Regarding Exercise Limitations Of Their Smol Dog, Interwebs Gather To Offer Insight

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kalila courban
Jul 28, 2023 10:00 AM EDT

Hey doggo lovers! Calling all hiking enthusiast dog owners! Are you wondering about the exercise limitations for your smol pup? Look no further because the interwebs have gathered to offer some pawsome insight! It all started when one hiking enthusiast doggo owner turned to the interwebs questioning the limitations of their smol pup.

This curious dog parent enjoys taking their 15-pound, 4-year-old pup on 3-mile hikes around their home, and the little one is always super pumped and engaged throughout the adventure. But once they return home, the pupper takes a heavy nap and seems pretty wiped. Fellow dog lovers chimed in with their experiences, sharing that as long as the dog is not showing signs of fatigue, like panting excessively or lagging behind, all is well. It's more about the individual dog and their breed than their size. So, don't fret, keep an eye on your canine baby, and if they're enjoying it, hike on!

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  • 01
    Font - Posted by u/BisexualSlutPuppy 1 day ago Is there such thing as "too much exercise" for a dog?
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 02
    Font - I take my dog on hikes 5-6 times a week on the hiking trails around my home. It's about 3 miles (5 kilometers) to do the full loop, (Edit to add, I'm a big baby about the heat so if it gets above 70F [or 20C] then we're playing Stairs Fetch instead lol) and my pup is (probably) 4 years old and just under 15 pounds (6 kilograms). We've had her for a year now and before that she was a stray.
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 03
    Plant - I've noticed that all the other dogs I see on our hikes are big working dogs, which makes sense because they need so much more exercise. I don't see any other dogs as little as mine though, and that struck me as odd.
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 04
    Font - Now, my dog is always very excited for our walkies. She's energetic and engaged for the whole hour we're outside - chasing bunnies and finding interesting sniffs. She's not panting excessively or anything, not trying to lead me back home prematurely. But when we get home she's...pretty wiped. She takes a heavy nap and then she's excited for lunch and is engaged, interested in playing, etc for the rest of the day.
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 05
    Font - I'm probably being an overly concerned dog mom rn, but should I be reading into this? Am I overworking my dog? Or do I just not see other dogs her size because most people who adopt little dogs do so because they don't have the time/inclination to walk them that much? I started doing these hikes primarily for my own health, and I'm not opposed to getting her a little papoose to carry her for the mile or whatever if what I'm putting her through is excessive.
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 06
    Plant
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 07
    Font - TiMouton 1 day ago edited 5 hr. ago Sheltie x Husky As long as you don't walk too fast I think your dog will stay healthy. The frequency of exercise isn't the problem, it's intensity. What's the breed? Do they have malformed legs or a short snout?
    via TiMouton
  • 08
    Font - BisexualSlutPuppy OP 1 day ago She's a mutt - primarily pug and chihuahua but by some fluke she has a nice, long snout which I'm very grateful for. She does has stupid (I say this affectionately) little flippers for back legs, but I've spoken about it with my vet and she's on a joint supplement to try to prevent arthritis. I have some mobility and circulatory issues myself, so we walk at a brisk but somewhat leisurely pace. I definitely don't walk as quickly as she'd like me to when she's
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 09
    Font - TiMouton 1 day ago Sheltie x Husky Then there is no concern whatsoever! I regularly walk with buddies that have two small Dachshund mixes and they are keeping up with us no problem. Seems like you're really conscious about your dogs health and the signs she gives you.
    via TiMouton
  • 10
    Font - ActingNormal. 1 day ago I think every dog is different. You become an expert on your own dog. If your dog is ahead of you, beside you and then starts really lagging behind, it may be too much for her. If she's panting a lot, exhausted later in the day, she may be pushing too much. If she has trouble getting up from her bed, like she's got achy joints, you may have to cut back. Certain breeds are prone to knee ligament issues, arthritis, hip dysplasia. Our dog loves being outside and loves
    via ActingNormal
  • 11
    Font - CountBeetlejuice. 1 day ago one way to tell.. does you dog keep your pace near the end on its own, or is it lagging behind. if you dog still is walking even or ahead, with no direction needed from you, I'd say it's not an issue if its lagging behind and needs encouragement by the end, maybe the carry would be a good idea
    via CountBeetlejuice
  • 12
    Font - BisexualSlutPuppy OP 1 day ago Oh she's definitely keeping pace with me unless she finds a particularly intriguing sniff - but even then once I call her she sprints to catch up with me. She definitely tries to get me to walk faster in some of her favorite stretches where she knows the bunnies like to play. She does slow down when we're back in the neighborhood, but still keeping pace. Once we get inside the house though she's not interested in anything but napping in my lap.
    via BisexualSl*tPuppy
  • 13
    Font - fatboytoz 1 day ago I think you will know if she starts to struggle. It will depend more on breed than size. E.g. my 15kg shih tzu couldn't cope with that much (brachycephalic etc), but a little working terrier type would probably thrive.
    via fatboytoz
  • 14
    Font - mooseontheloose10 1 day ago I would say as long as the dog isn't showing signs of fatigue (stopping, slowing down, panting excessively, etc.), then you are totally fine! I have two small dogs (one around 15 pounds and the other about 10, both white and fluffy as well), and we are out hiking everyday. They probably get around 3 hours spread throughout the day of outdoor running time. They have way more energy than most big dogs, and are always ready to go. I am an active person, so they bo
    via mooseontheloose10

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wholesome dogs Hiking adorable pupper doggo advice reddit thread Reddit pup
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