How Much Exercise Does a Golden Retriever Need?

How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? Fitting in the right amount of exercise for a dog is hard. I found that out for myself when I brought home my Golden from the shelter! I wasn’t sure how long his walks should be, so I did some research to find out how much exercise he needs.

So, how much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? The average Golden Retriever needs at least 1 hour of exercise per day. You can break this up into two 30 minute walks. These dogs need different levels of exercise at different ages. Younger dogs may need more activity and puppies a lot less.

Many new dog owners are unsure about how many walks their dog needs per day. But the exercise that your friend needs is not limited to walks alone.

How Much Exercise Does My Golden Retriever Need?

As an energetic sporting dog, Golden Retrievers are always on the go!

Careful breeding has made Golden Retrievers the ideal hunting companion. These dogs would run through the Scottish lakes to fetch felled prey for human hunters. These working Golden Retrievers needed to be hardy, with incredible stamina.

While your dog may not spend their days fetching waterfowl, they still have the instincts. Modern Golden Retrievers are great family pets, but they are still working dogs deep down. If you don’t give your pup a chance to use their energy, you might not like the results!

So how much exercise does your dog need?

A puppy only needs around five minutes of structured exercise for each month it has been alive. This exercise can be on-leash walking, or even a game of fetch.

Puppies will want to play a lot more than this, but it is important to not let them overexert themselves. Young pups are fragile, and too much exercise will damage their developing joints.

As your dog gets older, you will be able to take them out for more adventurous exercise.

Once your dog reaches adolescence and adulthood, you will need to ramp up the activity. Young Golden Retrievers need at least an hour of exercise per day. In reality, most dogs will need more than this to burn off their energy.

Your adult dog’s exercise needs will also depend on the line they come from. If your pup comes from a family of working dogs, they may need a lot of exercise. But if your dog’s parents were show dogs, they might be content with a lot less.

Elderly dogs also have different needs.

Arthritis is common among older Golden Retrievers. Combined with the breed’s need to please, this can be a dangerous recipe. Older Golden Retrievers will sometimes hurt themselves by trying to please their humans. 

The most important thing is to watch your dog when it seems like they are starting to slow down.

Many old dogs can still enjoy long walks. But try to reduce the amount of high-impact jumping to spare your pup’s joints. Each Golden Retriever is different, so listen to your dog when they are telling you that they are sore or tired.

How Do I Know If My Dog is Not Getting Enough Exercise?

Golden Retrievers are particularly prone to obesity.

If you notice your dog starting to get a bit tubby, they might not be moving enough.

But before you notice your dog is overweight, there might be other signs that your dog has too much energy. Young Golden Retrievers will do anything to get in their daily exercise. Left to their own devices, that can often mean destruction!

If your dog is running around the house and tearing up the sofa, they likely need more stimulation.

A dog with too much energy might be anxious, struggle to focus on tasks, and prone to destructive behavior. If this sounds like your dog, don’t panic.

Increasing your dog’s activity will help to occupy them and reduce their anxiety. But, if an increase in exercise doesn’t help, be sure to take your dog to visit the vet.

5 Great Exercise Ideas for Your Golden

While going for walks together is fun, going to the same places can get a bit repetitive.

Here are a few great ideas to keep your dog active and busy:

1. Swimming: Golden Retrievers are excellent swimmers. It is part of their DNA, and most love it! Swimming is a great low impact, high intensity form of exercise. This means that even dogs with joint problems can enjoy a dip in a pool or lake. If you’re far from a natural body of water, don’t worry! Many cities have hydrotherapy facilities for dogs to try swimming.
2. Fetch: As their name suggests, Golden Retrievers are fantastic at retrieving things! These dogs can keep going for longer than many other breeds – so you might be the one who starts getting tired first. Try a manual ball launcher to get more distance on your throws and make it more of a challenge for your dog.
3. Puzzle Toys: There are so many different puzzle toys to choose from. These toys might not work your dog’s body, but they sure will work their brain! Try to find a toy that you can hide a high value treat in. Your dog will spend hours trying to figure out how to extract it. For a cheap alternative, freeze a toy filled with your dog’s favorite snack. It will keep them mentally stimulated and engaged all day!
4. Running Together: If you are also trying to get fit, why not try running with your dog? Try building up your dog’s running stamina bit by bit. If you jump straight into a marathon your dog may not thank you! Gradual running programs like the Couch to 5K are a great option for dogs (and humans!) new to running.
5. Obedience Training: Teaching your dog new skills is a great way to keep their brains active. Short but intense training sessions will tire your dog out more than you may think. Keeping sessions short will make them less frustrating for your dog, and ensure they have fun. It will also help your Golden Retriever deepen their bond with you!

Always remember, a tired dog is a happy dog. Giving your dog an appropriate level of exercise will also help improve their health.

It is possible to over-exercise your dog. If you notice a significant amount of damage to your dog’s paws, you could be giving them too much exercise. Too much exercise will cause joint problems later in life. But it’s more common for Golden Retrievers to not get enough stimulation.

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