Puppies can’t see, hear, or walk when they’re born. It takes them a few weeks to reach key developmental milestones, including learning to walk and taking their first few wobbly steps.
Generally, puppies will start walking around the age of 2-3 weeks, according to Dr. Dwight Alleyne, veterinarian at JustAnswer.
Below, we’ll dig into all things walking, including how and when puppies learn to walk, potential mobility issues, and when you can take your new puppy for their first walk on a lead.
How and When Do Puppies Learn To Walk?
Puppies instinctively move towards food and warmth from birth. They begin to crawl and drag themselves around as their muscles develop, Dr. Alleyne explains.
“Their eyes don’t usually open until around 2 weeks old, and their hearing develops shortly afterwards,” he says.
As they become stronger and more coordinated, they’ll eventually start trying to walk—though their first steps may be quite clumsy and uncoordinated!
“The ability to walk is mainly instinctive,” Dr. Alleyne explains, adding that while mother dogs may encourage activity in their puppies, they don’t need to teach them to walk.
Here’s an overview of a puppy’s developmental stages:
- Newborn stage (0-2 weeks): Puppies don’t move much and rely entirely on their mother.
- Transitional stage (2-4 weeks): Senses develop, and puppies start learning to walk.
- Socialisation stage (4-8 weeks): Puppies start playing, bonding, and exploring their surroundings.
- Active learning stage (8-12 weeks): Puppies start refining their walking and running skills.
How To Spot Puppy Mobility Problems
All puppies develop at their own pace, and some take longer to walk than others. Sometimes, though, when some puppies start to walk later than others, it can point to mobility issues.
Mobility issues can be caused by a range of factors, including
- Birth defects
- Falls or rough handling
- Trauma from a difficult birth
Dr. Alleyne recommends watching out for these issues:
- Signs of pain
- Uneven gait
- Slow movement
- Swollen joints or limbs
- Delayed ability to walk compared to littermates
Puppies are born with soft bones, which typically harden by their first year. For giant breeds like Great Danes and Saint Bernards, this can take up to 18-24 months.
“Because puppies are continuing to grow, mobility issues can develop after they start walking,” Dr. Alleyne says.
If you notice any signs of mobility issues in your puppy, it’s always best to consult a vet, who can check for any issues.
Vets can also detect some abnormalities, like early closure of the growth plates or abnormal bone growth, within the first six months of your puppy’s life, Dr. Alleyne says, adding that they can also detect hip dysplasia early in some cases, depending on its severity.
Tips For Your Puppy’s First Walk
When your puppy comes home at around 12 weeks old, they’ll already be walking. At this point, you’ll need to introduce them to walking on a lead for exercise and training.
Important: Start walking your puppy in your backyard or close to home until they have all their vaccines.
You can take your puppy on their first official walk two weeks after they’ve received all their vaccinations, says Dr. Meghan Thomas, veterinarian at East Ridge Animal Hospital. This will typically be when they’re around 12-18 weeks old.
A few helpful tips for your puppy’s first few walks:
- Stick to short walks of around 5-10 minutes, just enough for potty training and some light exercise.
- Aim for 2-5 minutes of walking per month of age as your puppy grows. The distance you walk will depend on how fast your puppy moves and how often they want to stop and sniff!
- Keep these walks low-pressure, and allow your puppy time to explore new surroundings and adapt to walking on a lead.
By six months old, puppies should have learned basic obedience skills. They’ll also be picking up how to socialise with other dogs and new people.
Exercise Recommendation Chart for Puppies
When it comes to exercising your puppy, there’s no need to rush. Slow walking supports their health and development. It’s important to build up their endurance bit by bit and avoid overexercising.
Here’s a breakdown of how long most puppies can walk, depending on their age
| Age | Recommended walk time |
| 8 weeks | 5-10 minutes |
| 12 weeks | 10-15 minutes |
| 6 months | 15-30 minutes |
| 1 year | 30-45 minutes |
| Adult | 30-60 minutes |
Dr. Alleyne recommends you wait to start running with your puppy until they’re fully grown. That’s because running and other high-impact activities like jumping can stress your dog’s developing bones.
The age your puppy fully matures will depend on their breed. Dogs generally hit this point around the age of 12-18 months.
If you don’t know whether your puppy has reached adulthood, your vet can offer more guidance.
