Is my dog depressed from too much exercise? How much is enough?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If you feel that Bailey has lost energy and is not as playful as she used to be, I would recommend having her checked out by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. In regards to exercise, anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours per day is sufficient for exercise for most dogs. If there are other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, discomfort, inappetance or decreased appetite, etc. then there may be something more serious going on. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Yes it sure is possible, especially for a large breed fast growing puppy like the Pitt Bull. For future purposes I would recommend only 20-30 minutes twice a day of excessive activity. You have to make puppies take a break, because they don't know any better and will over-exert themselves unknowingly. Once Boomer is over 1- 1 1/2 years of age he will be fully matured and able to handle longer periods of exercise. He will also be more aware of himself and able to take breaks on his own without having to be prompted by you, his owner.

At 60 minutes twice daily, you are doing a little more exercise than Sammi needs at the moment. Puppies do not require as much [exercise](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-start-an-exercise-routine-with-your-dog) as adult dogs. Over exertion may lead to lifelong [orthopedic issues](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-common-orthopedic-conditions-in-dogs). The general recommendation is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age twice daily until fully grown, which for most dogs is about 1 year of age, although larger or giant breeds may not be fully grown until about 2 years of age. I recommend cutting back to two 20 minute walks per day, increasing it by 5 minutes each when she is 5 months, and so on. Because she has a lot of energy, you can work on [obedience training](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-obedience-commands-every-dog-should-know) with her (teaching her to sit, stay, lay down, etc.). That will use up some energy, and have the positive effect of [training](https://www.petcoach.co/article/new-dog-survival-guide-tips-for-training) her.

It may be that Gidget is feeling a bit understimulated. Dachshunds are working dogs, and need a lot of activity to get out their energy, even with their small size. Spending more time on longer walks, playing games, etc can help. Doxies also love to dig, so if you can't interact all the time, setting up a game indoors such as a blanket with treats hidden inside may help encourage her to get out energy in a fun way. Filling a Kong or other puzzle toy with treats or food (or frozen wet food for extra challenge) can also help stimulate her mind when you can't interact. If she continues to act depressed, or starts to show any other signs of illness, a vet visit to rule out any health issues is always a good idea.

Walking is good for dogs because it keeps their weight down, and their body strong. Because Bruno is a German Shepherd, their exercise requirements are higher because they are active dogs. He should be getting at least 30 minutes twice a day of exercise, but it's fine to keep it shorter when it is hot outside. You can't exercise him too much in the heat because it will lead to heat stroke, which is deadly. There are dogs who don't get much exercise and still lead full lives, so I wouldn't listen to your friend. But that doesn't mean Bruno wouldn't benefit from more exercise when it's cooler outside. Best of luck, I hope this helps.

That's not a stupid question! It's great that your dogs get so much exercise! They will likely take enough breaks during the day that they will not over exert themselves, but there are some things that you can do to help keep them happy and safe. As you mentioned, make sure they always have fresh water available. Make sure they have shelter to protect them from the elements, secure fencing to help prevent them from getting lost, that they are microchipped and wearing identification tags in case they get out, and do not leave them outside during extreme heat, cold, or emergency situations. I also recommend speaking to your veterinarian about having them neutered as soon as possible, as this can help reduce behaviours associated with the instinct to mate (such as humping, urine marking, aggression and roaming away from home) and help keep them safe.

Yes she may need a rest. With agility dogs and other canine athletes we recommend one day off a week for rest with only short walks and no heavy activity. These dogs also get a month off during the year to just relax and be a dog. This helps them recover from long bouts of strenuous physical activity. If you give Belle a week or two of reduced activity and plenty of rest and she doesn't get her energy back then I would bring her in for an exam. They will check her for joint pain and run a blood panel to rule out metabolic issues. She's probably fine from your description so let her be lazy for a while and see how she does. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Belle.