How much exercise does a husky need

Husky Puppy Exercise: Everything You Need To Know

Theres not a whole lot of information out there about exercising husky puppies specifically, yet its a crucial thing to get right! This article has everything you need to know.

Husky puppies need 5 minutes of exercise per day, per month of age they have. So when a husky puppy is 3 months old, they need 15 minutes of exercise per day, at 4 months, 20 minutes per day, and so on.

Ill run through this in more detail, as well as other frequently asked questions.

How Much Should Exercise Do Husky Puppies Need?

The 5 minutes per day, per month ratio.

You may be thinking 5 minutes in one whole month!? Not quite This is a ratio rule which is widely accepted as a safe way to bring almost any puppy up without injuring their joints or overstraining their muscles.

This method works by only walking your puppy for 5 minutes per day, per month they have of age.

For example, when your pup is 2 months old, they will be at 10 minutes of exercise per day. 3 months old, they will be at 15 minutes of exercise per day, and so on.

This is a slow build-up that will keep them healthy and injury-free. Some great information from The Kennel Club

How Far Can Husky Puppies Walk & Run?

To start with, husky puppies are better off walking and trotting than running. While its okay for a husky puppy to engage in the occasional sprint, this should not be something they do for the entire walk.

The chart below gives a rough guide on how far a husky puppy can walk for their age (slow casual pace).

For those that walk fast, these distances wont be accurate. But when we walk a young puppy, we need to slow it down a little.

Psst. A quick word on training! Brain Training For Dogs is one of the best training methods suitable for a husky. Other owners and I are seeing improvement in obedience, behavior, and stubbornness quicker than ever before. I seriously recommend checking it out.

How Husky a Puppys Growth Effects Appropriate Exercise Levels

In the first 6 months

Your husky will be growing the quickest during this stage. Therefore, their bones and ligaments are at their most fragile, so extra caution must be taken when it comes to exercise (stress and pressure).

The next 6 months to 1 year

This is when the growth will slow down a little and your husky should be at their full height by their first birthday.

Just remember that further development of their joint and ligaments will still be happening, just at a slower pace. Caution is still needed, but gradually increasing the exercise is okay at this point.

1 Year to 2 Years

By the second year, your husky would have now filled out and have gained the required strength and body mass ready for their adulthood.

In the males that are destined to be bigger huskies, its not uncommon to be 36 months until your male husky is fully grown. Source

Exercising Your Husky Puppy Directly & Indirectly

Indirect exercise for a puppy can be as little as climbing the stairs (which should be kept to a minimum), running across the room, jumping up at you, or playing with his toy.

Dedicated exercise is when you put the harness and leash on and take him for a walk, whether it be inside or outside of your home.

Your puppy must understand the idea of dedicated exercise early on.

Before your puppy tires himself out through indirect exercise, be sure to go through dedicated exercise early in the day.

Getting your husky puppy accustomed to the leash and harness early on (as well as going outside) is crucial for their overall learning and behavior. This can be the difference between a husky thats sensible on the leash and one whos crazy on the leash!

Related article: Leash Training a Husky Puppy (The Best Method)

I will cover below when puppies can safely go outside.

When Will Your Husky Puppy Need More Exercise?

Its best to follow the 5-minute method up to around 10-12 months, meaning 50-60 minutes of exercise per day. Once your husky is over 1 year old youll be able to increase their exercise up to around 60-90 minutes, depending on how your husky handles it.

Please keep in mind, even though the most important growth and development stages are over by 12 months old, its still necessary to proceed with some caution and consideration.

Because of the huskys reputation, many owners often get carried away and over-exercise their husky too young. Potentially injuring their joints.

Psst. Need to fill a frame or choose the perfect gift?My Happy Huskys Latest on Etsy(Printable Instantly)

How Much Can You Exercise Your Husky at 2 Years Old

The 2-year mark is when exercising your husky becomes a different thing altogether.

Huskies require high volumes and intensity of exercise in order to be happy. One adult husky could easily keep your whole family fit, they really do have that much energy and desire to play.

If owners are not prepared to give their adult husky at least 2 hours of activity, jogging, hiking, and running then it would be better to consider a different breed requiring lower activity levels.

Ideally, owners should take their adult husky out for two 1-hour walks per day.

Related: Exercising an adult husky (what owners must know)

When Can You Take Your Husky Puppy Outside?

Its recommended that you keep your husky, and any other breed of dog, safe inside your home and private yard/garden until around 2 weeks after they have completed their last vaccination round.

By this time your husky pup will be around 16 weeks old before its safe for them to spread their paws in the local parks and public places.

Your private yard vs local parks

You can safely take your puppy outside in your own private yard before this 16-week mark. Just be aware of whats in your yard and make sure you do not have other animals using it as their chill-out zone or worse, bathroom! Keep your puppy away in this case.

What about socializing with other dogs?

7-18 weeks is the ideal stage for your pups first socializing experiences to begin. Invite your friends and their dogs over to play in the safe control of your home, as long as those dogs have had their vaccines and are puppy-friendly.Socializing and familiarising your puppy with other dogs and people from this young age can help avoid any future social or aggression problems!

After 16 weeks have passed

After this 16-week period, your pup can venture out into the big wide world.

Your puppy will absolutely love their first experiences outside, at the local park, field, or beach.

Unlimited smells will have your puppys nose on the floor like a vacuum!

The sights of other dogs will spark their social energy and curiosity. The sounds of birds, other animals, and background noises will awaken their hyper-alertness.

Enjoy this moment of development with your fluffy friend.

Thank you for reading! Like always, please make a comment below with your thoughts on exercising husky puppies. Let us all share experiences and stories to help each other be better husky owners!

You should definitely check out the best harness for a husky article I have. This will help you understand all about the best harness to invest in.

Top FAQs About Husky Puppy Exercise

How often should I walk my husky puppy?

Husky puppies should receive some form of dedicated exercise/walking every single day. A husky puppy at 2 months old can be walked every day for 10 minutes, increasing by 5 additional minutes every month. This is known as the 5-minute method.

How much can a husky puppy run?

Husky puppies under 10-12 months can run a little, but should not be made to run too often or long distances. Husky puppies must reach full physical maturity before receiving strenuous exercise like running. General playing and light exercise is sufficient for a husky puppy.

Whats the best way to exercise a husky puppy?

The best way to exercise a husky puppy is mostly through general interaction, especially while still very young. Command training, playing fetch inside the home, and gentle games of tug of war will all suffice. Its important to refrain from strenuous exercise with a husky puppy.

When can husky puppies go to the dog park

Its advised to keep your husky puppy indoors or in your own private yard until 2 weeks after their final vaccine. For most puppies, this will be around the 18th week mark, although this varies depending on when they receive their first vaccine.

Are dog parks safe for husky puppies?

Dog parks are generally safe for puppies but you have to be ready for encounters with other dogs. Socialization is a healthy and crucial learning process for their development so interaction should be encouraged when owners inform you their dog is puppy friendly. Always be ready to remove your puppy from a dangerous situation though.

Most Recommended For Huskies

Best Brushes For Husky Shedding

The Furminator Undercoat Rakeand aHertzko Slicker Brushare by far the two best brushes that any husky owner should use.

Best Online Training Program For Huskies

Brain Training For Dogshas become very popular with Siberian Huskies in the last few years. Owners that have tried it say amazing things about the incredible results and how easily implemented the training is.

Best Husky Puppy Book

If you would like an easy to read guide for training your husky puppy, check out my bookThe Husky Puppy Handbookon Amazon.All purchases are greatly appreciated.

How Much Exercise Does A Husky Need? & How Many Walks?

Huskies are well-known as working sled dogs but can also be great companions. Bred to run and pull a load all day long, they have practically unlimited energy. So you should be ready to exercise your dog a lot if you have a Husky or plan to get one. Now you might just wonder how much this breed really needs?

In general, a healthy adult Husky requires around 2 hours of exercise per day. It should include walks, vigorous physical activity, and mental stimulation. For example, running and urban mushing sports are great ways to exercise a Husky. But how much exercise a dog needs doesnt only depend on the breed.

What Can Influence The Exercise Needs Of A Husky?

You must consider many factors to know how much exercise you should provide to your dog. The breed is just one of them. Your Huskys age, health, energy level, and several other elements can also influence the amount and type of exercise he needs.

Breed (Type Of Husky)

As you probably already know, Huskies are very active dogs. Thats why they need so much exercise to stay healthy and happy. However, there are two different types of Huskies. Theres the Siberian and Alaskan Husky. Although they are very similar, their exercise needs are slightly different.

How Much Exercise Does A Siberian Husky Need?

A Siberian Husky will generally require at least 90 minutes of exercise per day. But you should ideally aim for around 2 hours if possible. Bred as working sled dogs, Siberian Huskies are now popular high-energy pets. So they will need a lot of exercise to stay fit and happy in your home.

How Much Exercise Does An Alaskan Husky Need?

Alaskan Huskies are even faster and more energetic than Siberian Huskies. Therefore, they will need more exercise. As a rule of thumb, a minimum of 2 hours per day should be enough. The Alaskan Husky will also prefer exercise more focused on work than play.

So your dogs breed is an essential factor to consider. Nonetheless, both Siberian and Alaskan Huskies require a lot of exercise. The Alaskan lineage might only need a little more because they have higher stamina and energy levels.

Age

How old your Husky is can also impact how much exercise he needs. The general recommendation of 2 hours per day refers to adults. If your dog is young or old, his exercise requirements wont be the same.

How Much Exercise Does A Puppy Husky Need?

In general, a puppy needs around 5 minutes of daily exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. It can include gentle walks, free playtime, and moderate physical activity. For example, a 4-months-old Husky should get between 20 and 40 minutes of exercise per day. Too much exercise can be bad for puppies.

Even if young dogs usually have a lot of energy, they dont have much stamina. Thats why Husky puppies require less exercise. Besides that, their structure is also fragile because they are still growing. So too intense physical activity might hurt them or cause joint and bone problems later on.

How Much Exercise Does A Senior Husky Need?

An older dog will gradually have less energy and reduced stamina. But a senior Husky still needs at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. It should include walking, low-impact physical activity, and mental stimulation. Keep in mind that an elderly dog is fragile and requires more relaxation.

Health

Another factor you have to consider is the health of the Husky. Dogs with specific conditions or problems might need less exercise than the average of their breed. The recommendation of 2 hours per day was referring to a healthy Husky.

But if your dog is very active and in good shape he might require more than that. So how much exercise you should provide to a Husky will depend on his health. If your dog is overweight, sick, or has any other problem, you have to know it.

And its not always obvious. Thats why visiting your vet for a health check is highly recommended. It will give you a better idea of your Huskys conditions and issues if he has any. With that information, it should be much easier to figure out how much exercise your dog needs.

Energy Level

Some Huskies are more active and energetic than others. Thus, thats another thing you should factor in. The more energy a dog has, the more exercise he will need. If your Husky never seems tired and always asks for more, just provide him with as much as you possibly can.

Other Things To Consider When Exercising A Husky!

Many other details can influence how much exercise a Husky needs. For example, the intensity of the physical activity will affect the amount of energy burned. More vigorous exercise can tire out your dog more quickly than moderate physical activity.

Besides that, the temperature will also impact the amount and type of exercise needed. With a double and thick coat, a Husky cant last very long or do intense physical activity when its very hot outside. Therefore, you should also keep that in mind.

So, How Much Exercise Does Your Husky Really Need?

Finally, the amount and type of exercise a Husky should get can vary a lot from one dog to another. It will depend on the breed type, age, health, energy, and many other elements. So you must consider all those factors to know how much exercise your Husky needs.

If youre not sure, you can always consult a veterinarian. Talking with a professional will help you understand your dogs requirements. But around 2 hours of exercise per day should be enough for most Huskies to stay fit, healthy, and happy.

What Type Of Exercise Does A Husky Need?

Once you know how much exercise your dog needs, its time to determine what it should include. I already mentioned the three main types of exercise a Husky should get. Walking, Vigorous Physical Activity, and Mental Stimulation. Now lets see how you divide those 2 hours or so into those categories.

Walking

Walking is an excellent source of moderate exercise for dogs. It allows them to spend some pent-up energy, improve their cardiovascular system, go outside, be mentally stimulated, and sometimes socialize. Now you simply need to know how much a Husky should walk per day.

How Long Should A Husky Be Walked?

A Husky should generally be walked for at least 30 to 60 minutes per day. Depending on how fast you and your dog walk, it can result in anywhere between 1.5 and 4 miles of daily walking. But most Huskies have enough energy and stamina to walk for much longer periods and distances. So you can walk as much as you want.

How Many Walks Should A Husky Get Per Day?

Ideally, a Husky should walk 2 or 3 times per day. Multiple shorter walks spread throughout the day is usually better than just a long one. It will allow your dog to exercise, burn energy, and go outside several times a day. Therefore, a Husky should get 2 or 3 daily walks between 15 and 30 minutes each.

Is Walking Enough Exercise For A Husky?

Walking is a good moderate physical activity for dogs, but its not enough exercise for active breeds such as the Husky. They will need more than a couple of walks per day to stay healthy, fit, and happy. A Husky also requires more vigorous exercise that walking wont provide.

Vigorous Physical Activity

Huskies were bred to run and pull a load over relatively long distances. So they are very active, strong, and energetic dogs. Thats why a Husky needs exercise that involves physical strength and cardiovascular effort.

High-intensity exercise can lead to an increase in heart rate and heavy breathing. It will also allow your dog to burn more calories, strengthen muscles, and improve his overall health and fitness. Therefore, daily vigorous physical activity is essential for a Husky.

How Much Vigorous Physical Activity Does A Husky Need Per Day?

In general, a Husky will need around one hour of vigorous exercise per day. But it may vary between 30 and 90 minutes depending on how much you walk and the dog itself. Huskies have enough energy and endurance to stay active all day long. So the more high-intensity physical activity, the better.

Mental Stimulation

Exercise isnt all about physical activity. Dogs also need to be stimulated mentally. The Husky is an intelligent working breed that should be busy and has a mind to satisfy. So mental stimulation is another thing you must consider.

How Much Daily Mental Stimulation Does A Husky Need?

A dog will be stimulated mentally several times during the day without you noticing it. For example, sniffing around on walks and analyzing the scents can be stimulating. But a Husky should get at least 15 minutes of purposeful mental exercise. It can include brain games, training, nose work, etc.

Best Ways To Exercise A Husky!

Now that you know what type of exercise a Husky needs, its time to find concrete things you can do together. There are many ways to keep your dog active and healthy, but some are more appropriate for this breed. So here are the best activities to exercise a Husky!

Running

Huskies were bred to run very long distances daily. Thats why running should be a major part of their exercise regimen. Its an excellent source of vigorous physical activity and accessible to practically anyone.

How Far Can A Husky Run In A Day?

A Husky has the energy and stamina to run relatively fast over long periods. Dogs trained for sled races can run over 100 miles a day and reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour. But most Huskies bred as pets wont be able to run that far. So you should aim for around 10 miles or one hour of running per day.

Learn How To Run With Your Dog Safely!

Urban Mushing

Another way to exercise a Husky that involves running is urban mushing. It includes all sports in which the dog pulls the handler on dryland: Canicross, bikejoring, scootering, dog skateboard pulling, skijoring, etc.

Those sports are ideal for Huskies because they are closely related to mushing. The concept is the same, but instead of pulling a sled on snow, the dog has to run and pull you during the summer. So its an excellent way to exercise a Husky while having fun together.

Hiking

Long walks in the country or woods can be great to exercise and explore the outdoors with your dog. With their endurance and resilience, Huskies can be excellent hiking partners. It may not be as vigorous as running, but its definitely more physically demanding and stimulating than walking around the block.

Playtime

Another way to exercise a Husky physically and mentally is to play together. There are many games and toys you can enjoy with your dog. Playing fetch, tug-of-war, solving puzzles, chewing things, or anything else that can keep a Husky busy and stimulated is a good idea.

Here are some accessories that might help you exercise your dog!

What Happens If A Husky Doesnt Get Enough Exercise?

If a Husky doesnt get enough exercise, it can lead to several problems. Lack of physical activity and mental stimulation might cause obesity and boredom. Then, your dog will find other undesirable ways to spend his energy and stay busy, such as barking, chewing, jumping, and digging.

Last Thoughts About The Husky Exercise Needs!

Finally, there are many things you should know about how much exercise a Husky needs. The answer will vary for each dog, but around 2 hours is generally enough for this breed. It should include moderate physical activity, vigorous exercise, and mental stimulation.

For example, 45 minutes of walking, 1 hour of running, and playing puzzle games with your Husky for 15 minutes, should be enough. But some dogs might need more or less exercise depending on their age, breed, health, and other conditions.

Lets Exercise That Husky!