When Can I Run My Puppy?
Often people wonder when they can run their new puppy. Basically you can run a healthy puppy when their growth plates have closed. No forced exercise (which includes biking, jumping, jogging, or roadworking) until the puppy’s growth plates have been fully formed and developed. A quick visit to your veterinary doctor for x-rays will be able to tell you when that time is for your particular dog. In general, the rule of thumb in large breeds for growth plates to be fully closed is around 18 months to 2 years of age. Until the growth plates are fully in place and the dog is developed and structurally sound, please do not engage your puppy in forced exercise activities, such as jumping, biking, jogging, etc. as you could injure your pet. Meanwhile, feel free to let your puppy self exercise on appropriate surfaces/places, take nice walks, and play with other animals and toys. It is important puppies get plenty of both physical and mental safe exercise daily. Don’t worry about lost time; you and your dog will have plenty of years to run together ahead of you as he grows.
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