Why your dog shouldn’t be running around all day

How often have you heard someone saying that they want to tire their little one out in the park? Both dog parents and those looking after children often use this phrase. As well as an insatiable desire to play, learn and eat, there is another important aspect that dogs share with children: the need for sufficient rest. Rest and sleep isn’t just part of their routine, it is an essential consideration for everything else they do, from the quality of their learning and energy, to play, to their appetite and immune systems. We all love to see our dogs having fun and running around, but it’s important to remember that they’re not built for constant action. Just like us, they need rest and recovery.

How much exercise does a dog need?

While the association between an exhausted dog and their contentment is very strong, it isn’t necessarily always true. During the puppy months, the amount of exercise they get is very important with the general rule of thumb being about five minutes of physical exercise, once or twice a day, for every month of their age. This prevents over-stimulation as well as over-exerting their little growing bodies.

As dogs get older, their exercise requirements vary by breed, age, general health and fitness levels. Sporting dogs will need more to keep them content, some small breeds won’t need muh at all. However, the old idea that dogs need to be wiped out by a long walk everyday is not true, and in some cases can even be damaging. With increased exercise and stimulation comes increased need for rest and recovery and this must be given appropriate consideration for a dog as dogs won’t always ask for it themselves. For every dog that will flake out and not move for anything when they are tired, there are plenty more who stay on high alert if the environment is still stimulating, there is play to be had or dogs to meet.

How much rest does a dog need?

It goes without saying that dogs need sleep and rest, like all living creatures. Certain things will increase the need for rest, such as exercise, ill-health, age and anxiety. In the PDSA Wellbeing report for 2024, they published some interesting results around the topic of adequate rest for dogs and the impact it has on them:

“We found several associations between dog behaviour and sleep. Although the optimal sleep duration is likely to vary between dogs, there is evidence to suggest that dogs should get over twelve to sixteen hours sleep. Our findings reveal that a large proportion of dogs are likely to not be getting enough sleep, with 27% (2.9 million) sleeping for ten hours or less in a day, and 53% (5.6 million) of dogs getting under 13 hours sleep.”

While a lot of this sleep may be overnight, dog naps are not simply a sign of a lazy dog, they are an essential part of them reaching their sleep targets. The result of a lack of sleep isn’t just a sleepy dog either, in fact it can play a critical role in how your dog behaves at home, when you are out and about, in training, and in boarding:

“Confrontational behaviour was one of the associations we found to be linked to the duration of sleep. Significantly more dogs who get less than 10 hours sleep (4%) show growling, snapping or biting towards other dogs in the household compared to dogs who get more than 13 hours sleep (2%). Also, more dogs who get less than 10 hours sleep (6%) show growling, snapping or biting towards familiar dogs not in the household compared to dogs who get more than 13 hours sleep (3%). These results support the findings of studies which have shown problem behaviours may increase in dogs sleeping less than eight to ten hours, highlighting the importance of providing the opportunity and correct environment for dogs to sleep to protect emotional health.”

With the specialised dog training that we do with dogs with anxiety, fear or other behavioural issues, we look at the whole environment that is affecting the dog, not just the reaction that owners see.

What can happen if my dog doesn’t get enough rest?

While dogs love to play and explore, constant running can have adverse effects on their health and well-being. Physical impact includes excess stress on joints, especially for dog breeds that are prone to hip or elbow issues, overheating and heat stroke, exhaustion that can lead to injuries and paw pad damage. Mentally it can also affect your dog, leading to fatigue, behavioural issues and critical to the work we do at Royvon, making training sessions for dogs a struggle, and reducing their capacity to learn.

What does my dog need to stay healthy if it isn’t non-stop play and long walks?

Just like humans, dogs need physical and mental stimulation. Too much running can make it hard for them to focus and learn new things. Mental stimulation may take the form of training, with you or with a professional dog trainer like the team at Royvon, or puzzle toys and nose work that engage your dog’s natural instincts and provide enrichment as they are challenged.

A balanced approach involves providing your dog with regular exercise, but also ensuring they have adequate rest and recovery time. A mix of walks, playtime, and mental stimulation can help keep your dog healthy and happy while supporting their cognitive development.

What does this mean for doggy daycare, dog boarding and dog training?

At Royvon we understand dogs and prioritise their well-being. Our training sessions require your dog to focus and learn which means making sure they are well-rested and ready to engage. Likewise, even at our free-flow play areas at Royvon Playhouse or in social dog playtimes for boarding, dogs are not just left to run for hours. Daycare is carefully balanced to ensure dogs get a great balance of fun and rest and for Day School, training session duration is carefully planned to set your dog up for success with the right balance with rest and recovery.

Our dog day care and dog day school services across our three sites in Surrey, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend take all of the above into account when we plan the timetable for the day. If you are looking at creating a boarding timetable of activities for your dog, we recommend considering time resting in kennels as an essential part of your dog’s stay, between activities. If you would like any help with working out a good programme of enrichment for your dog, you can get in touch with our team.