The German Shepherd is a beautiful dog that needs a lot of exercise and playtime. They are easy to train, but they need a lot of attention.
German Shepherds need at least two hours of exercise a day as adults. They need much less as puppies but still need lots of attention. You can split this time between walks and other activities to help fit it all in. Fetch, swimming, hiking, and training are all great options.
How much exercise does a German Shepherd need per day?
German Shepherds are very active dogs that need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Unfortunately, they are the type of dog that will act out if they are bored and chew up the furniture.
A lack of stimulation is one of the main problems of the breed, as they have a reputation for needing a lot of attention.
Numbers-wise, they need about two hours of exercise per day. That’s a lot for anyone to handle. Of course, you can split it up between activities and walks, but even then, it’s a big chunk of your day.
Don’t worry, though. There are many options for different activities you can do together for everyone to have a good time.
German Shepherds like long walks and plenty of time exploring the outdoors. As their needs are so high, it is wise to split the responsibility amongst the family or consider getting a dog walker to help out.
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How much should German Shepherds be walked?
A good rule of thumb is about half of their exercise time in a day should be spent on walks. For most German Shepherds, that’s about one hour per day. They are working dogs initially bred to guard sheep flocks and use a lot of energy.
Amongst all dog breeds, they are one of the highest-energy dogs. Of course, their activity level changes based on their age, fitness level, health, and general personality, but overall, you should expect very high activity levels from them.
You don’t need to do anything particularly special when taking them for walks. They enjoy the activity a lot on their own and can be socialized to enjoy meeting other people and dogs.
They also love sniffing around their environment, which is excellent mental stimulation.
How far can a German Shepherd puppy walk?
German Shepherd puppies need less exercise than they do as adults. However, it’s important not to over-exercise your puppies, as it can lead to joint issues in the future. For German Shepherds especially, they are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia that can happen to them.
A good rule of thumb is that puppies need about five minutes of walking exercise per day for every month of their age. Going over that amount can start to cross into dangerous territory.
They will love walks, giving them a chance to explore their environment and practice their training commands. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to socialize them with other people and dogs.
Puppies especially will tear around the house playing anyway, which will give them lots of exercise. However, they won’t be able to walk very far outdoors at an early age.
What are the best ways to exercise my German Shepherd?
German Shepherds are brilliant and obedient dogs. Combined with their high activity levels, it is easy to do lots of different activities with them. In addition, they are excellent at learning new tricks and exercises.
Here are a few exercises you can do with them that they’ll love:
Walking
Obviously, the core of exercise for most German Shepherds will be taking them for walks, and they’ll love it. It’s so easy to do with them, and they’ll get a lot of physical and mental stimulation from it.
Hiking
Instead of just a simple walk, going on a hike is a great way to give them extra stimulation and change their routine. They absolutely love the amount of energy it takes and how much there is to do. They especially enjoy exploring different kinds of terrain.
Swimming
Swimming is a great exercise for this breed, as they get to use their physical prowess while keeping it low impact on their joints. It keeps their body and limbs in great shape and uses up tons of energy.
Fetch!
Since German Shepherds are highly intelligent, a good game of fetch often appeals to them. They love completing tasks that take a ton of energy. At a broader level, they love playing with all kinds of toys, so you’ll both be sure to have a great time together.
For example, you can use frisbees, sticks, or tennis balls to play with, varying it up to give them even more mental stimulation.
Playing with Other Dogs
If you know others with dogs or have a dog park nearby, playing with other dogs is not only a way to get physical exercise but mental and emotional stimulation too. Socialization from a young age is essential, even if it is difficult to do. It will pay dividends later in your German Shepherd’s life!
What are the benefits of exercising my German Shepherd?
Without lots of exercise, German Shepherds may develop serious problems. Their exercise needs are quite high compared with the average breed, so it can be difficult to keep up.
Behaviorally, they can act up with all their pent-up energy, tearing up furniture and causing chaos at home. It is not unusual for an untrained German Shephard with lots of energy to cause many problems at home.
For their health, they can have weight problems linked with various health concerns, plus joint issues, muscle atrophy, and potentially even diabetes.
How much exercise is too much for my German Shepherd?
Especially when they are puppies, you can overexercise a German Shepherd, leading to joint problems. For the most part, as adults, the concern is more about under-exercising them rather than overdoing it.
Puppies do need exercise to develop healthy muscles and hearts. It also helps with behavioral issues such as anxiety and issues related to boredom.
As a general rule, your puppy will know when they get too much exercise and become exhausted. You shouldn’t try to keep them active when they are clearly tired and want to take a break.
As a puppy, you should avoid activities that force them to jump, like fetch. This can be tough on the joints. Tug of war is another rough one that should be limited as a puppy. Also difficult are long hikes, running, and any kind of weight-pulling.
You should wait for them to grow up a little before engaging in these rigorous forms of exercise.
We’ve mentioned it above, but try not to exceed 5 minutes of formal exercise per day for each month of your puppies’ age. So, a 3-month-old should have 15 minutes of exercise a day at most.
Tips for exercising your German Shepherd
Here are some basic tips about exercising your German Shepherd:
- As a puppy, don’t encourage jumping or leaping. This is hard on their growing joints.
- Walks are always great. They are easy and encourage exploration, socialization, and physical activity.
- German Shepherd puppies can’t go running or biking with you yet. They need their own breaks and rests and not too much exercise at this age.
- Check to see if they like water. Some love it, and some don’t.
- Always be training! Socialization and obedience training can be mixed in with most other exercises, so why not work on those at the same time?
- Hiking is another great activity that’s like advanced walking and a big exploration treat for your German Shepherd.
- Once an adult, taking your German Shepherd with you jogging or even biking, can be great fun.
- They are usually fanatics for frisbees and fetch, so make sure to try these games out with them.
- Food puzzles and other puzzle toys can stimulate their minds.
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Final thoughts
Finding ways to exercise with your German Shepherd shouldn’t be too hard, as they love just about everything. That said, they must get at least two hours of exercise a day as adults. This can be difficult to achieve if you have a busy schedule or take care of the dog on your own.
