Why You Should Never Let Your Dog Be a ‘Weekend Warrior’
You may be okay with this lifestyle, but a dog trainer warns it’s no good for your pup.
Do you ever feel like your work-week self is a completely different person than your weekend self? It’s like the second you clock out on Friday night, your zombie-like work brain shuts off and you become a self-care icon. You suddenly have time to dedicate to your full skincare routine, get eight hours of sleep, and bank that high-intensity workout you’ve been meaning to get around to.
If that’s the way you like to do things, more power to you — even if it does feel a little hellish to suddenly hike six miles after you’ve been sitting at your desk all week. (You might want to at least get some stretching in Monday through Friday so you’re not screaming in pain post-weekend hike.) But while you may be able to handle your “weekend warrior” ways, if your dog is also taking things to the physical extreme on Saturday and Sunday with you, it could actually be dangerous for them.
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Dogs aren’t exactly the best at knowing their own limits and can push too hard when their level of physical activity increases through rigorous games of fetch or going on big hikes over a weekend or on vacation. As much as you wish they could keep up with you, they aren’t the best at just being warriors on the weekend.
What is a weekend warrior and how can a dog be one?
Being a weekend warrior refers to someone who participates in high-intensity physical activity periodically and without the necessary conditioning. This experience can describe someone who goes hard with a new hobby or who goes out and does something physically intense, like a strenuous hike, when they are usually more prone to couch rotting, as the kids say.
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And, no shock, it’s so prevalent within Western culture there are already studies about it. In 2023, a studyopens in new tab published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) actually found opens in new tab that people who get half or more of their exercise in on the weekend had a similarly low risk of heart disease as those who spread their workouts throughout the week. In other words, get it in while you can, but that mentality shouldn’t apply to dogs.
When we bring our dogs along with us during these one-off, high-energy periods, we can turn them into weekend warriors, too. Historically, many dog breeds were developed to run, hunt, herd, and perform other active jobs alongside people. Today, though, most of our dogs have less active lives than dogs of the past (hello, conveniently prepared bowl of food — goodbye, hunting).
It can be easy to go too hard with yourself (and your fitness buddy, aka your dog). As an American Kennel Club FIT DOG opens in new tab instructor, I often see dog parents who set fitness goals for their own life or go on a strenuous dog-friendly vacation and increase their dog’s level of physical activity very suddenly.
You should never push your dog past their limit.
The primary problem with taking the weekend warrior approach with your pup is that you aren’t giving them the opportunity to build up their muscle tone and endurance. Overexercising dogs can result in a variety of health issues, both minor and possibly significant. Pups can struggle with issues like heatstroke and dehydration, especially during warm weather, which can even be life-threatening.
Working dogs too hard can also lead to physical injuries — like sore and strained muscles — as well as more serious injuries, like permanent joint damage. (Your heart might ultimately benefit, but this pack-it-all-in-on-the-weekends approach is not greatopens in new tab for your muscles and bones, either). The risk of joint damage is increased in pups who are predisposed to orthopedic conditions, like hip and elbow dysplasia. Older dogs who have arthritis can have an increase in pain, especially if they are getting too much activity for their bodies.
Just like humans who overdo it with hiking or other exercise, dogs can experience strain and muscle soreness. In addition to sore muscles, dogs can develop sores and blisters on their paw pads, especially after overexercising on rough ground like concrete or in rocky areas.
Your dog may be suffering if you see them start limping, showing visible stiffness, acting lethargic, or licking at their legs or other areas. Many dogs will push through discomfort to keep having fun while playing or exercising, so they may not display symptoms of being sore or uncomfortable until after they have gotten home. If you notice any discomfort or injuries, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Most dogs won’t be able to keep up the weekend warrior lifestyle.
All dogs should be properly conditioned before beginning any kind of strenuous physical activity to avoid the risk of injury. Dogs whose lifestyles are very sedentary are particularly at risk of struggling and becoming injured if they push it.
Puppies’ exercise should always be limited, because their bones and joints are still developing, which can make them especially vulnerable to injury if allowed to run and jump too much. Puppies should have age-appropriate exercise; talk to your veterinarian about what is right for your particular little one.
Keep in mind that the larger the dog breed, the slower they will physically develop and the longer you will need to wait before any kind of strenuous exercise. A small-breed dog will likely reach physical maturity between six and 12 months, while a giant-breed dog might not reach physical maturity until their second birthday.
Older dogs, and those with a history of health conditions — particularly any orthopedic injuries — can struggle with a sudden increase of activity. Adding a ton of movement to their routines could exacerbate issues they already have. It’s also important to be cautious with brachycephalic — or flat-faced — breeds including French Bulldogs, Boxers, and Pekingese. These dogs can especially struggle with exercise in general, and if not properly conditioned, can quickly become exhausted or injured from overexertion.
Bottom line: Too much exercise will overwhelm your dog.
While we think of the issues associated with the weekend warrior approach with our dogs being about their physical health, there also can be an emotional fallout for dogs when they get too much exercise without proper conditioning. While walking and hiking can be very fun, rewarding, and exciting, for dogs who are reactive or anxious, spending prolonged periods of time outside can be overwhelming and stressful. The more tired a pup gets, the less able they may be to navigate stressors associated with extended exercise.
Behavioral changes are a common side effect of being overexercised with weekend-warrior activities. After increased exercise, your dog may act reactive, aggressive, and anxious. Even dogs who don’t normally struggle with anxiety or reactivity can start to show symptoms of these behaviors if they are exercised too much.
“A tired dog is a happy dog” does hold some truth — it’s important to make sure your pup gets all the exercise they need, especially for their particular breed. While it’s true that all dogs need and benefit from physical and emotional enrichment, it’s important not to overdo it when it comes to exercising with your dog because it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
Dogs need to build up to strenuous exercise just like us. If your pup starts looking tired while they are playing or out walking or hiking, it’s a good indication that they have done too much. If they are lagging behind you, panting, or starting to take a break and refusing to move while walking, that’s a sign the exercise has been too much. Instead of pushing your dog hard, start with easy and manageable exercise — walking just a few minutes — and slowly build up their endurance by adding more time to your strolls each week as their stamina builds up.
