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Humans need regular exercise to maintain optimal health. By moving our bodies, we strengthen bones and joints, manage weight and chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and improve the immune system and cognitive function. Regular exercise can also release stress-reducing hormones.
Our dogs are no different. And just like humans, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Due to age, breed, and environmental variations, exercise requirements differ from dog to dog. We will deal specifically with the Labrador in this article.
How much exercise does my dog need each day?
A good baseline for most dogs is one hour of activity per day. Puppies will tend to play a little more, but also SLEEP more!
Breeds such as Border Collies are designed to sustain intense, long-lasting activity. These breeds can be active for two or more hours a day, which can include frisbee chasing, racing with their human, playing flyball, and similar activities.
Greyhounds like Whippets and Greyhounds need relatively little exercise to meet their physical and mental needs. Built for speed, they make do with three walks a day, and they thrive when given a few safe, off-leash opportunities to reach their top speed. They tire easily and are not endurance athletes. Many retired greyhounds become excellent apartment companions.
Labradors need at least ½ hour to 1 hour of exercise a day to stay toned and keep their heart healthy! Get it pumped!!! Swimming – you can go a bit longer – but I recommend a life jacket to avoid exhaustion.
How much exercise does a puppy need?
Due to their developing limbs, puppies two to four months old should be exercised several times a day for one to two hours cumulatively. At a very young age, walking on a leash is not necessary and unlikely to be very productive because puppies are so distracted. However, practicing on-leash walking skills and recall exercises, such as “come when called by name,” is physical activity.
Playing with a ball, hiding with a toy or treat, or playing with other healthy dogs can be productive. Hiking is also a safe activity that you and your pup can do together (and isn’t as hard on the joints during repetitive motions). New sites, scents and terrains offer many opportunities for stimulation. Different muscle groups are used, which is optimal for injury prevention and strength building, just like it is for us humans.
Of course, swimming is a low impact and wonderfully fun activity instead of walking!
How much exercise does my senior dog need?
Older dogs need exercise to maintain muscle mass, control weight, and grow rich. A good rule of thumb for older dogs is that they need about 30 minutes of exercise per day. If that’s not possible, a walk around the house can go a long way for an older dog with joint problems. Developing and keeping the muscles around the joint in shape and keeping them in place will give them even more years of mobility and life!!!
Swimming is an ideal exercise for senior labs. They’re not as likely to overheat, and exercise without weight-bearing is easy for arthritic limbs. It is important to watch your pet in the water as exhaustion can occur quickly. Life jackets can help maintain buoyancy while allowing your pet to enjoy the benefits of swimming.
How do I know if my dog is not getting enough exercise?
Dogs that don’t get enough exercise are relatively easy to identify. Usually there is a bump of fat at the base of the tail which makes the tail appear low. There is no top view size. Often the “chest” is oversized and adds weight to the dog which puts pressure on the joints, so keep them fit and light!!! If this is a concern, contact your breeder to find out the average height and weight of his line to find out what goals to achieve with your laboratory!
Weight gain, in a general sense, reflects too many calories consumed and not enough expended. The ideal weight of an animal can be determined by assessing his muscle and body condition. An animal with an abdominal crease, palpable ribs and an hourglass shape, seen from above, has its ideal weight. To see ideal weight control akc.org for the AKC breed standard for the Labrador Retriever for a range of weights and sizes.
Under-exercised dogs can also exhibit a host of behavioral issues. Dogs that bark excessively, chew on household items, or pace around the house may not be getting enough exercise. BOREDOM often brings destructive behavior. Wounds attributed to chronic licking such as lick granulomas on the limbs can be caused by boredom and stress. These lesions may look like red, raised, hairless spots on one or all of the legs, especially near the wrists.
Muscle atrophy, or muscle wasting, can be a sign that your pet is too sedentary (another reason to keep your senior dog active!). Since other metabolic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases can lead to muscle loss, it’s best to consult your veterinarian if you notice any changes in body condition. Consulting your breeder or veterinarian for advice is always a good idea when starting a weight loss program.
My females in my breeding program can weigh 65-85 lbs, my boys 75-95. If I hear of a dog in my kennel that weighs over 100 lbs, I usually ask more questions to see how we can get them to a healthy weight based on their particular frame and what I know of the dog’s parents and lineage.
In short… an active Lab is a happy and healthy Lab!
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