Many dog owners think the more exercise a puppy gets, the better—but with large-breed puppies, there’s a fine line between healthy activity and overdoing it. In this video, I explain why big pups are more prone to joint issues (including hip dysplasia) and how excessive, high-impact exercise can make those risks worse. I also share my “exercise SMART” approach: balance short walks and low-impact play with plenty of mental stimulation, while still giving growing bones and joints time to develop. I cover practical guidelines like keeping exercise sessions shorter when your puppy is younger and not using your pup’s eagerness as your measuring stick. Large-breed dogs often aren’t fully developed until around 15 months, so I recommend avoiding high-impact activities like long hikes, agility work, repetitive running on hard surfaces, frisbee-style jumping, and treadmills. Instead, I walk you through safer options like short fetch sessions (10 minutes max, twice daily for puppies under 6 months), gentle tug (let your pup do the pulling), basic obedience training for mental work, and enrichment like puzzles, snuffle mats, and scent games. The goal is a calm, well-exercised puppy—without overstimulating or stressing those developing joints.