You’ve probably been eagerly waiting for your puppy to finish growing so that all of their exercise restrictions will end—and that day is approaching faster than you think.
Your pup has grown a lot in the past 9 months, with their growth plates creating new bone as fast as they can. In fact, many small and medium dogs are done growing at this point. Small dogs usually finish growing by 6 to 8 months of age, and medium dogs finish up between 9 and 12 months of age. On the other hand, large and giant breeds can still have a few more months, and up to a year of growth left. Large breeds usually finish growing when they’re 12 to 18 months old, while some giant dogs are growing until they’re 24 months old.
Once your puppy’s growth plates fuse, they will be able to enjoy more types of exercise for longer durations. However, because several other factors beyond just breed size play into when growth plates fuse, be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting any new exercise routines.
As soon as your puppy is cleared for full exercise, you can look forward to incorporating your best friend into your favorite exercise routines, such as:
- Longer walks
- Running
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Higher-impact agility, such as jumping
- Hunting
However, be sure to follow some commonsense rules about starting your puppy on their new exercise routine:
Don’t go from zero to 60! Just like any other athlete, your puppy needs to be trained gradually before going far distances or exercising for prolonged times.
Check the temperature. Avoid exercising in high heat or severe cold.
Bring water. Be sure you have enough for both you and your puppy. You’ll also need a collapsible bowl or some other method to give your puppy the water.
Be ready to stop. If your puppy appears fatigued or simply flat-out refuses to continue, be prepared to rest for a while. If pushed too hard, your puppy may even need to be carried home.
Your VCA care team will be happy to help you create an exercise plan for your puppy. Your new adventures with your best friend await!
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