How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need Before Work?

### Question

**How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need Before Work?**
### Short answer

Most dogs do best with a predictable pre-work routine: a toilet break + movement + sniffing + a short training game. The right amount ranges from 20 minutes to an hour depending on age, breed, and health.

### Key points
- Sniffing walks tire dogs mentally without over-arousal.

• High-intensity play right before leaving can make some dogs more wired.

• Training builds focus and calm.

• Consistency matters more than perfection.

• Weather/season: adjust intensity and add indoor enrichment.

  Practical plan (step-by-step)

  1. Aim for 10–15 minutes of sniffing + 10–30 minutes walking.

2. Add 3–5 minutes training (leave it, settle, recall games).

3. Feed breakfast in a puzzle after the walk.

4. Leave calmly: no big goodbyes; cue ‘bed’.

5. If your dog is still restless, add midday support.

   Common mistakes

   • Over-exercising young puppies (joint risk).

• Only doing ball throwing (creates arousal).

• Skipping sniffing and decompression.

• Leaving immediately after intense play.

  Verdict

  The best pre-work routine is balanced: sniff, move, think, then settle. That combination produces a calmer dog than ‘run them until tired’.