How Much Exercise Does a Pitbull Need?

Pitbulls are known to be vivacious dogs that are full of energy. This dog breed has a lot of stamina and, therefore, requires a lot of exercise, so be prepared for that. They also get bored easily so you will have to keep up and switch up their exercises from time to time.

The average Pitbull is said to need around an hour of physical exercise on a daily. However, the time required for exercise varies from one Pitbull to another, and depends on a lot of other factors, too. In general, they need a lot of exercisesso a simple walk won’t do it. You’ll have to add more exercises to their routine. Not only is this integral for their physical fitness and health but also their mental health. This dog breed is meant to exercise so it’s important that you provide them with the means. Here is everything you need to know about how much exercise a Pitbull needs.

Why is exercise so important for a Pitbull?

Before we delve into how much exercise your Pitbull needs, let us first understand why exercise is so integral for a Pitbull. For starters, Pitbulls are known to have excess amounts of energy, even more than normal dogs. It is important to channel this energy in the right way. Otherwise, you will probably end up with an over-energetic dog. Exercise will help your dog stay physically fit and mentally stimulated.

Because a Pitbull is a crossbreed of bulldogs and terriers, it is only natural that they have a share lot of the characteristics with the terrier. One of the major ones is the need for physical activities and movement. When you look at them, it makes perfect sense. Their body is muscular and they have short legs, which makes them great sprinters.

Not giving your Pitbull the adequate amount of exercise that they need can lead to many behavioral issues amongst them. It can also cause them to become overweight. Having an excess amount of energy stored up in them and without the right means to channel it could lead them to become aggressive or even violent towards other animals, people or even you.

In addition to that, it could cause biting and gnawing at random people or things, destroying your backyard or lawn by digging holes or destroying the vegetation. It could also cause them to keep barking for no reason and be disobedient towards you. To avoid all of this and to ensure that your dog is well behaved and balanced, provide them with the exercise that they need. It’ll help them be more calm and relaxed and it’ll also save you from a dog that’s a handful.

How much exercise does a Pitbull need?

Now to answer the question of how much exercise a Pitbull needs, it depends on several factors. They all have unique needs, which need to be taken into account when planning their exercise. Here are some of the major factors that influence a Pitbull’s physical activity level. Keep them in mind when trying to plan out their exercise.

Age

Age plays a major factor in the amount of exercise your Pitbull should be getting. A puppy compared to a senior Pitbull dog would require a completely different level of exercise. Puppies are more playful so you might think that they require more exercise, however, keep in mind that during their first year, they are a lot more fragile because their bones, muscles and joints are still forming. That’s why their exercise should be moderate and not too vigorous. For a 3-month-old Pitbull puppy, start with 15-30 minutes of mild exercise a day. It could be anything from a game to playing with their toys. For a 6 month old puppy, 30-60 minutes of exercise daily is perfect.

Health

Of course, your Pitbull’s physical health conditions play a major factor in the amount of exercise that they need. If your dog has any kind of medical condition or breathing issues, then their exercise requirements will be much different as compared to other Pitbulls. Know their limits and make sure not to push them too hard if they do have any kind of health conditions. You may also want to consult an expert so that you know you’re on the right track.

Energy Level

Even though this dog breed is considered to be generally active, not all Pitbulls will have the same energy levels. It varies from dog to dog and so you have to pay attention to your Pitbulls capacity for physical activity to be able to judge their exercise needs. If your dog has lots of energy, then they will need more exercise, but if it’s the opposite and your dog isn’t as high energy then you need to strike the right balance when it comes to exercise.

Types of exercises for your Pitbull

There are many different types of exercise that your Pitbull can do, from a simple walk to sports and more complex exercises. Here are some examples of the top ones:

Walk

A walk is a great way for your Pitbull to stay active and get some fresh air. It is also great for their mental stimulation. However, while a daily walk is a good exercise for your Pitbull, it’s generally not enough. Make sure to pair the walk with other exercises and you’re good to go!

Playing with a Frisbee

Your dog will enjoy this and it’ll also get their exercise in. Keep tossing the Frisbee at different levels so that your dog has to do the work in catching it, either jumping high or going low. It’ll burn a great amounts of energy and will also sharpen their coordination and timing, which is an added bonus.

Obstacle courses

Make things a little more exciting for your Pitbull by arranging an obstacle course for them. This is a higher level than your normal exercise but if you feel like they’re getting bored or need something a bit more challenging then this is a great option. Pitbulls are a smart breed and will probably be able to manage this but it might require a bit of patience on your end so be prepared.

Flirt Pole

You can probably guess by its name that this is a kind of teaser stick to keep your dog on their toes. This pole has a long handle and a toy or similar reward is attached to the end of the rope. The way that it works is that you move the pole to get your dog chasing after it. It is specifically an exercise for Pitbulls and works wonders with them.

Sports

If your pitbull is full of energy, then you may want to get them to play sports, as that is an effective energy burner. Running, swimming or even skateboarding are some excellent examples. An active Pitbull would greatly enjoy them and it would burn the excess amounts of energy that they have. See which one resonates with your Pitbull the most and then go for that.

Weight Pulling

To work on your Pitbull’s muscles, get them to do weight pulling. It is an excellent exercise that your Pitbull will also greatly enjoy and it’ll build their strength. Make sure that you have the right harness and training. Choose your weights according to your dog’scapability and make sure not to overwhelm them or cross their limits. You can start light and keep building up.

Interactive Games

Other interactive games such as hide and seek, tug of war or fetch can be fun for both you and your dog. They are also great forms of physical exercise and bonding time with your dog. Keep switching it up to keep it interesting for your furry friend.

Signs that you are over-exercising your Pitbull

As mentioned earlier, you need to be very careful to ensure that you aren’t over-exercising your Pitbull. Doing so can cause them to burn out and if they are over exhausted, they can even get sick. However, it may be tricky to know whether or not you are over-exercising them. To make it easy for you we have made a list of the top signs that can help you identify whether or not you are over-exercising your Pitbull. If you feel that your dog is showing any of them, it may be time to slow down and take it easy on them.

• Having trouble breathing
• Drooling
• Not as energetic as before
• Much more thirsty than usual
• Excessive panting
• Muscles are sore

Conclusion

You now know everything that you need to know about how much exercise a Pitbull needs. Take some time to get to know your dog and understand itstemperament and requirements. Once you have some sort of idea, start slow and keep building up from there. Make sure that the exercise you choose resonates with your Pitbull. Last but not least, have fun with it!