Exercise and play
What is a safe warm up before intense dog exercise?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A 5 to 10 minute brisk walk that gradually increases pace, letting muscles and joints loosen up before running, agility, or a hard game of fetch, reduces the risk of strains. Skipping straight from resting to sprinting is a common, easily avoided cause of pulled muscles, particularly in older or less conditioned dogs.
Why cold muscles are more vulnerable
Muscles and tendons that go straight from rest into a full sprint or a sudden hard jump are more prone to strain than ones eased into motion gradually, the same principle that applies to human athletes before a workout.
What a simple warm up looks like
Five to ten minutes of walking that gradually shifts from a slow amble to a brisk pace, including a few gentle changes of direction, prepares muscles and raises heart rate gently before anything more demanding begins.
Who benefits most from warming up
Older dogs, dogs returning from an injury or a period of lower activity, and any dog about to do something genuinely intense like agility, flyball, or a long run benefit the most from a deliberate warm up, though it costs nothing to make it a habit for every dog.
Key takeaways
- A 5 to 10 minute gradual walk before intense activity reduces the risk of muscle strain.
- Cold muscles going straight into a sprint or hard jump are a common cause of avoidable injury.
- Older dogs and those returning from an injury benefit the most from a deliberate warm up.