How many times should you walk a dachshund

How Many Times a Week Should I Walk My Dachshund?

You may be wondering how much exercise your Dachshund needs.

Specifically, how often you need to walk your dog per week and for how long.

The short answer is that it varies by each particular Dachshund.

Factors like age, health, mobility issues, and fitness level must be considered.

Another thing to reflect on is their behavior.

A Dachshund that is always chewing up things they shouldnt, barking excessively, and generally being a pain in the butt may be in need of more exercise.

In this article, Ill explain the factors you should consider and give my advice (as someone who keeps her Dachshunds fit and active)

How Many Days of the Week Should You Walk Your Dachshund?

This can depend on the factors below but there are some general guidelines.

Ideally, your healthy, adult Dachshund should get a walk every day so 7 days a week. Thats not always convenient for you or ideal for your dog though.

How many times a week you walk your Dachshund depends on their individual needs.

While our Dachshunds probably sleep all day waiting for us to get home, us owners live busy lives.

Some days, we dont have any energy left when we are done with work or a full-day or errands.

Realistically, most people arent able to walk their Doxie every day of the week. Aim for the best you can do but give yourself some grace if you have to skip a day or two.

Also, pay attention to how your dog is feeling after a particularly long or hard walk and adjust accordingly. Your Dachshund may need a rest day to recover.

This can be especially true for a senior Dachshund who has stiff joints and possibly arthritis.

What Is the Minimum Number of Days You Should Walk Your Dachshund in a Week?

Based on personal experience, both with my Dachshunds and from the research Ive done online, the minimum you need to walk your Dachshund is 3 days a week.

This minimum will ensure that your dog is at least getting some regular exercise.

The ideal sweet spot for me between what I have time for and what keeps my Dachshunds relaxed and happy at home (and sleeping through the night) is 5 days a week.

I always shoot for at least 5 days knowing that I may not be able to achieve that.

Some weeks I may be able to walk my dogs the 5 days a week and sometimes I can only squeeze two in.

I figure if I aim high, and fail to hit my goal, I almost always get at least 3 days in.

I figure if Im averaging 3-4 days a week (if I look at the total number of walks for the month) Im doing pretty good.

How Long Should I Walk My Dachshund?

How long you walk your Doxie depends on your pace. Obviously, if you are walking slower, it can take more time to cover the same distance.

Time is not necessarily the gauge you should use to make sure your Dachshund is getting enough exercise.

I suppose the real question here is how far should you walk your Dachshund.

This is where considering the age, health, and fitness level of your dog comes into play.

Dachshund puppies shouldt exercise rigorously until they reach maturity. The general rule is 5 minutes of walking per month of age up to twice a day (see below regarding how many times).

So, for example, a 4 month old puppy could walk up to 20 minutes twice a day.

Puppies should also not be pushed to walk as fast as they can. While they should be learning leash manners on walks dont pull, dont stop to sniff everything, etc. they should be allowed to amble along at purposeful but relaxed pace.

Since a person walks an average of 2 mph, and a puppy will go slower (maybe 1.5 miles per hour), you and your 4-month-old puppy will probably only cover a half mile per walk.T

Even though they have a lot of energy, very young puppies should not be expected to walk more than about 20 minutes at a time.

Of course, a 8 month old puppy can go further so, using the formula above, you may easily be able to cover a mile or more per walk.

Small dogs are typically done with their important bone and joint growth period by a year old.

So once your puppy is close to 12 months, it should be fine to start increasing distance and difficulty (but be sure to check with your vet if you have any questions).

If your Dachshund is over a year old, and they are healthy, the sky is the limit when it comes to distance. Almost anyway.

You should always keep an eye out for signs that your dog is getting too tired of walking.

If you walk your Dachshund consistently over varied terrain (ie. more difficult sometimes), and start with shorter distances and work up to longer ones, an adult Dachshund can easily walk 5 miles a day or more.

My Dachshunds can easily hike 5-7 miles a day and they each have hiked up to 11 miles in a day.

Of course, senior Dachshunds will eventually start to slow down and not be able to walk as long.

A Dachshund is generally considered a senior at around 10 years of age.

Some senior dogs can take 30 minutes to amble a half a mile (and get tired after going even that far).

How Many Times a Day Should I Walk My Dachshund?

This is more of a personal preference.

The rule for puppies says they can walk a certain amount (5 minutes per month of age remember) up to twice a day. You can choose to walk your Dachshund puppy once a day for the duration calculated or twice.

You could also calculate the daily limit (5 minutes X months of age X 2 times a day) and divide that time by 3 if you wanted to walk them more often.

With an adult Dachshund, you can go for the whole walk at once so 1 time per day or take them out for several shorter walks a day.

In my experience, it doesnt make much difference when it comes to tiring them out and keeping them healthy.

What really matters is how daily walks with your Dachshund fit into your routine, that your Dachshund is getting enough exercise, and what you enjoy.

Final Thoughts

A healthy Dachshund over 12 months of age should be walked 3-7 days a week.

Its always good to aim high that way if you fall short of the goal, you probably walked your dog at least 3 times that week.

Ideally, Dachshund puppies should be walked every day but they do have limits on the amount of exercise they can do based on their age (5 minutes for every month of age up to 2 times a day).

Walking your puppy every day will help strengthen their muscles, increase their fitness, and provides a great opportunity to work on leash manners and bonding.

If your senior Dachshund starts to have health or mobility issues, ask your vet how much exercise is safe for them.

Also, pay attention and dial back the distance or frequency you notice your dog getting tired. They may also start to need a rest day in between walks.

If you want to see how your efforts stack up against some other Dachshund owners, check out what fans of our Facebook page had to say about how often they walk their dog.

Of course, exercise is only one part of the equation when it comes to ensuring your Dachshund is happy and healthy.

Diet is also a huge factor. Feed your Dachshund quality, healthy food to help keep them fit and keep their energy up.

You may also want to consider adding supplements to your dogs diet.

I hope Ive helped you figure out how often, and how long, you should be walking your Dachshund to keep them fit, healthy, and happy.

You may also be interested in:

Why Your Dachshund May Be Refusing to Walk on a Leash

How to Train (or Trick) Your Dachshund to Walk in a Harness or Jacket

How Many Calories Do You Burn Walking Your Dog?

How Far Can I Walk My Dachshund Each Day?

Determining how long to walk your Dachshund can be a challenging dilemma.

You may not even know how far a Dachshund is capable of walking.

There are a variety of factors to take into consideration such as age, weight and overall lifestyle.

UPDATED: October 5, 2023

In this article, well help you decide how far and long you want to walk your own Dachshund in a day.

In general though, a healthy, adult Dachshund should walk at least 30-60, or a distance of 2-5 miles, per day.

This time or distance will be a bit different for puppies, senior dogs, dogs with health issues, dogs that have previously been sedentary, etc.

I explain how to adjust this general rule based on these factors in the following article.

As you read on for more info, please note that Im not a veterinarian but, instead, an owner who has been hiking and walking long distances with her Dachshund for 20 years.

Im sharing my knowledge and experience with you but remember to consult with your vet if you have any questions about how far your own Dachshund should walk.

How Much Exercise Does a Healthy Adult Dachshund Need?

Dachshunds are hunters by nature, so they are built with the need to exercise their active instincts.

No matter how old your Dachshund is, its important that they receive some sort of daily exercise to avoid obesity and to remain happy.

If youre asking how long you should walk your Dachshund you could mean duration or distance.

While its important not to push your dog too hard, your Dachshund should maintain a brisk, steady pace in order to get the most benefit from their walk.

Healthy adult Dachshunds need about 30-60 minutes of activity every day (duration).

The average human walking speed is 2 miles per hour.

Assuming your dog can also keep that pace, the distance you would be walking your dog every day is at least 1-2 miles.

You may be surprised to learn that Doxies are capable of walking for much longer than that though.

With the right physical conditioning (ie. regular exercise that gradually increases in length and difficulty) they can walk, or even hike, 5 or more miles at a time.

A healthy, adult Dachshund will be able to walk further than puppies, seniors or those with health conditions.

How Far Can a Dachshund Walk?

If you regularly walk with your Dachshund and want to increase your activity, you may be wondering how far a Dachshund can walk in a day.

In other words, you want to know what your Dachshunds mileage limit is.

The truth is somewhere between there isnt a limit to how far a Dahcshund can walk and most Dachshunds do have a limit.

Most average, healthy Dachshunds can walk at least 3-5 miles in a day and I know several that have walked or ran up to 26 miles in a day.

There is a gentleman in our Adventurewiener Dachshund Club that regularly runs marathons with his Dachshund (26.2 miles).

Catra Corbett, a famous ultrarunner, runs 25 miles or more in a day with her Dachshunds.

All 3 of my miniature Dahcshunds have walked 16 miles in a day before, and on more than one occasion, with no issues.

I plan to train my youngest Dachshund to walk 20 miles in a day this summer.

I would not be shocked that someone could physically train their Dahchsund to walk further than that.

What About Puppies, Senior Dachshunds and Those with Health Issues?

When determining how long you can walk your Dachshund, you need to take your dogs age, health, and physical condition into consideration before anything else.

Older Dachshunds, and puppies, have different exercise needs than healthy, adult Dachshunds do.

Dachshunds with special needs like puppies, older Dachshunds, and those with underlying illnesses or injuries will likely require, and be capable of, less exercise than a healthy, adult Dachshund.

Also, Dachshunds in these categories tend to move at a slower pace so will cover less distance in the same timeframe.

Even if your adult dog is generally healthy but they suffer from a heart murmur or other respiratory ailment, its best to ensure your dog doesnt overdo it.

In general though, puppies can walk about 5 minutes for every month of age (so about a mile for a 6-month old puppy).

Senior Dachshunds, and those with underlying health issues, may only be able to walk around the block.

If you arent sure about the best exercise regimen for your Dachshund, seek advice from your veterinarian.

How Often Should You Walk Your Dachshund?

The answer to this question comes down to each individual Dachshund.

As stated above, dog parents must consider health, age and other factors.

Ideally your Dachshund should get at least one walk per day.

A daily walk will help keep your Dachshund in great physical and mental shape.

Walks are excellent for a dogs mental stimulation. Sniffing is their way of connecting with the world.

Let your Dachshund sniff during their walk every now and then to stimulate their senses and workout their cognitive function, but make sure youre not teaching them to stop every 5 feet.

Walks intended for exercise should maintain a steady pace. Stopping occasionally to let your dog sniff for a few seconds is ok but be careful not to let it become the norm.

If you live in an apartment or a place without a yard, its fairly routine to go on a daily walk.

It may be more difficult to find motivation for daily walks if you have a backyard for your Dachshund.

But even if you have a yard, its still recommended to take your Doxie on a walk each day.

Obviously theres no punishment and no need to be hard on yourself if you skip a walk day, especially if you just walked or hiked a long distance.

Just try to get out for a walk the next day if possible.

If you start skipping too many days of walking your Dachshund, it could become a habit.

Keep in mind that if your dog gets bored easily or frequently becomes destructive, you may want to start increasing the length or frequency of your walks.

Some adult dogs are higher energy than others, and theyll need more daily activity to thrive.

If your Doxie is one of those who needs to burn more energy, consider breaking one walk per day into two. This two-walk-a-day routine may help with keeping your Dachshund tired out.

Once you discover how long your Dachshund can walk in one day, you can decide to do it all at once break it into two walks per day.

What You Should Know About Walking Your Dachshund

There are other ways to keep your Dachshund active besides walking.

Hiking with your Dachshund is a fun activity that will provide both mental and physical stimulation.

Healthy adult Dachshunds can hike a simiar number of miles as they walk around the neighborhood.

Dachshunds can also run, but its crucial that you make sure your pup is healthy enough to do so before you go run a 10k.

Dachshund puppies should not be walking long distances like adults. Too much exercise can put stress on a growing puppys joints.

Instead, you can work on getting your puppys energy out by playing with their favorite toy, offering treat puzzles or giving them a frozen Kong for them to chew on for a while.

Working on basic obedience training can get your puppy excited and wear them out quickly too.

Since puppies should stick with short, easy walks until they are fully grown, you may need to find other ways to tire them out.

On the flip side, senior Dachshunds will need less exercise once theyve slowed down. As dogs age, they become less active, similar to humans.

Senior dogs typically still need daily exercise, but your walks may be shorter or less frequent.

How do you know when your Dachshund has reached their walk limit?

Weve learned that Dachshunds can walk upwards of five to 10 miles in a day, but how do you know when theyve had enough?

This is where its important for you to understand your Dachshunds body language.

Being able to read their body language will help you see warning signs that your dog is physically exhausted.

Some common signs that your Dachshund has had enough exercise include:

• Rapid heart rate
• Bright red gums, which can indicate heat stroke
• Limping or excessive slowing down
• Licking a specific area on their body, which can be a sign of chafing or irritation from the harness or collar

As a Dachshund parent its up to your best judgement to determine when your dog has had enough. Do not push them if they are too tired, as it can lead to injury.

Do keep in mind that a Dachshund will sometimes refuse to walk because they dont feel like it that day or one of these several other reasons.

If your Dachshund refuses to walk, youll want to figure out of they are refusing to go on because they are simply tired or there is something else wrong.

Best Equipment for Walking Your Dachshund

Its best to walk your Dachshund using a harness, rather than a standard collar.

Harnesses offer better control while being more comfortable and safer.

Using a collar for walking can put pressure on your Dachshunds delicate trachea if they tug and pull at the leash. Choosing to use a harness instead will protect your dogs neck and throat.

Harnesses also give you more control if your Dachshund likes to jump on people or lunge toward wildlife.

You may also want to consider investing in a jacket for your Dachshund both a warm jacket and rain jacket.

Your Dachshund may need extra protection in extreme hot or cold temperatures.

Dachshund parents should always have their pups safety and health in mind while going on any walk or hiking adventure.

Final Thoughts

Your healthy, adult Dachshund needs a daily walk that is at least 30-60 long or a distance of 2-5 miles.

Ideally, you can walk your Dachshund every day.

One walk a day is usually fine but you may want to consider walking your high-energy dog twice a day.

Consult your veterinarian if you have any specific concerns about your Dachshunds health or exercise regimen.

Daily walks will keep your Dachshund happy and in tip-top physical shape.

You may also be interested in reading my article How Many Calories Do You Burn Walking Your Dog?