How many walks a day does a Golden Retriever need
How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need?
Golden Retriever is a strong, well-built and athletic dog. They were bred to be working dogs, to retrieve birds and other prey and bring it back to the hunter without damage. This involved running, hiking long distance and swimming to get the prey.
Though these days, they are commonly used as pets, but they still possess the genetic temperament of a working dog and have been bred to be very energetic and active. To keep a Golden Retriever happy and healthy, you need to provide them enough exercise. So, the question is how much exercises do a Golden Retriever need?
Golden Retriever Exercise Requirements
They need some form of daily exercise; otherwise, they become restless, nervous and hyperactive. This is particularly problematic if you keep your dog indoors and there are some other people in the house or the house is small and has lots of breakable items.
Golden Retriever exercise can be as simple as walking your dog twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. This should last for about 45 minutes to one hour to ensure they exercise enough.
Exercise provides a lot of benefits to Retrievers. Most importantly, during the puppy stage which is very important for it growth. Expose the puppy to early exercise and training. This kind of training should not be stressful and should not put a lot of strain on the puppy. If you are asking the type of exercise and how much is enough for your Golden Retriever puppy.
Read on, this article will deal with that extensively. For a start, you should introduce your puppy to the kind of exercise that allows him to focus on you and do the things you want him to do. Such exercise should help shape your puppy to a well-behaved dog and help its concentration, as well as directing its energy toward the right behaviors.
Types of exercises for Golden Retrievers
There are many types of exercises for Golden Retriever but in this article, we will take a look at the best types of exercise you should give to your dog to enable him to live a happy and healthy life.
Daily walk
A daily walk is necessary for Golden Retrievers not just to release some excess energy. But it also helps stimulate your dog's mind with sounds, sight and smells he encounter during the walk. Dogs like routine, so try scheduling the walk around the same time each day. The daily walk is better than nothing all week and a long walk on weekends only.
The duration of the walk is limited only by your time and energy because Retriever was bred to work all through the day. Ideally, the least should be 45 to 60 minutes a day. This may be just once or twice a day if your schedule permits. The speed of the walk should be a brisk quick trot. Though, it is unlikely to wear out a Golden Retriever.
If your dog has a good recall and comes on command, it will be perfect to let him walk at the park off-leash. You can also use a retractable leash to give your dog more freedom while maintaining control. Naturally, Golden Retrievers are obedient and have better recall if they are trained.
Swimming
In addition to daily walks, it is also necessary to give some high-intensity activities and play to further tire your dog and to maintain muscle tone. By maintaining strong muscles, they will support the joints and tendons and prevent injury. Golden Retriever were bred to swim, and swimming is one of their best exercise.
The benefits of swimming for Retrievers include a vigorous activity that burns energy quickly, it helps strengthen and tone muscle from resistance provided by the water. Swimming is a low-impact activity that does not strain the dog joints and tendons. It is the right treatment for a dog who is recovering from surgery or injury.
Puzzle Toys or Hiding Treats
This is a mental stimulation Exercise, and Golden Retriever needs this kind of exercise to improve their training. They love treats and you can use this advantage to exercise your dogs during rainy days. Take some of its favorite treats and hide them in different places around your home. Your dog is likely to get tired searching for the treats and get a great exercise in the process.
Your retriever may even get sufficient exercise with a toy that dispenses treats when it solves a puzzle, but it depends on the dog breed. Dont forget to restrict yourself to a sensible amount of treats. When you give your dog too much treat can make them sick or defeat the purpose of the exercise by gaining weight.
Benefits of exercising your Golden Retriever
An exercised dog is a calm and happy dog! It is sad that many dog owners ignore this basic health requirement for different reasons, sometimes just because it is uncomfortable for them. To own a dog comes with the responsibility of keeping your dog happy and healthy. This involves a lot of things, like giving your pup a daily exercise. The following are the benefits of exercising your Golden Retriever.
Exercise help slows down the aging process: aging is part of life. But, giving aging dogs both mental and physical exercise can help prevent some age-related diseases. Exercise is an excellent defense against anxiety: Since exercise usually reduces anxiety, lack of exercise can lead to anxiety. Owners who spend time to exercise their dogs daily are less likely to return home to a house that has been torn apart by an anxious, bored and neglected-feeling dog.
It also helps strengthens the bond between the dog and its owners. Which exercise partner is better than the one who always shows up and never complains? Golden Retriever is a built-in exercise pal. Exercising together benefits both dog and its owner in terms of general health and strengthening their bond. It's an engaging, and mutual activity ideal for bonding and boosting the heart rate.
The consequences of not exercising your Golden Retriever
Not exercising your Retrievers can have adverse effects on their emotional, physical, and mental health. A pup that does not leave his home is likely to be frustrated, bored and has excessive energy. Some side effects of not exercising your Golden Retriever may include the following;
- A bored and frustrated dog is very likely to develop behavioral problems. This may include unnecessary barking, destructive behavior, digging and escaping.
- Lack of exercise may prevent your dog from learning the necessary social skills that can only be learned through social interaction. A pup that has not learned how to get along and communicate with other dogs can end up fighting. This is not good for you and your Retriever.
- Not having the opportunity to sightsee the environment. Golden Retrievers are naturally curious creatures. Walking allows them to smell, see, and hear new things and gives them the chance to know their environment. Not having this opportunity may affect your dog's confidence by making him nervous and afraid when facing new situations.
Conclusion
The Golden Retrievers are a very energetic dog breed and need a lot of exercise. Lack of exercise can lead to various health problems, behavior problems, and hyperactivity. Therefore to have a healthy and happy Retriever, you need to provide your dog as much exercise he needs and deserves.
If you are the kind of person who likes to stay at home with your feet up in front of the television, Golden Retriever is not the right choice for you. But if you are the outdoor kind of person, Retriever is the right choice for you.
How Long Should a Golden Retriever Be Walked? (Explained!)
Known for being exceptionally friendly and energetic, Golden Retrievers are the perfect pet! Incredibly active dogs, the best way to keep a golden happy and healthy is to take them on regular walks and outings. But how long should a Golden Retriever be walked?
A Golden Retriever should be walked at least 1 hour every day. 60 minutes of walking or exercise will burn off a lot of a Golden Retrievers energy leaving him relaxed and happy. If easier for the dog owner, walks and exercise time for goldens can be broken up into two 30-minute sessions daily.
This, of course, is the recommended walking time for a healthy adult Golden Retriever. Puppies and senior dogs have different walking length requirements which well discuss below. Ill also cover the overall exercise and mental stimulation needs of golden retrievers, a few areas to avoid when walking, and some ways to tire out an overly energetic dog. Keep reading to find out more!
(This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made.)
Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear.This is the best at home dog training I've ever used!
Why Golden Retrievers Are Such High Energy Dogs
Golden Retrievers are such energetic dogs due to their breeding. Goldens were bred to be hunting dogs. Their job was to retrieve downed waterfowl, such as ducks and upland game birds during outings with their owners. These hunting excursions could last hours or even days, and golden retrievers were created to be able to last out in the field for long periods of time.
These hunts included regular amounts of walking, running, climbing, and swimming. Even though most golden retrievers today are usually domesticated house dogs, they still have the genetic profile of a working dog and have been bred to be high-energy and very active.
If youre going to own this breed, youll need to place golden retriever exercise at the top of your to-do list.
How Long You Should Walk Your Golden Retriever
Regular walking is crucial for the health of the golden retriever. A long walk helps a retriever to relax its energetic mind and take in all the sights, sounds and smells they experience along the way.
A golden retriever could literally walk all day long and cover dozens of miles. Fortunately for us, that much walking is not required. Ideally, a good walk for a golden can be 30 to 60 minutes in length. The daily walk with your golden retriever can be done all at once, or it can be done for shorter periods of time, multiple times a day.
The speed of the walk should be pretty fast. A brisk walk is necessary because golden retrievers are difficult to fully tire out. If youre a runner, youre in luck, because there is no better jogging partner than a golden retriever. Running with your golden, however, is not a requirement.
How Long to Walk A Golden Retriever Puppy
Golden Retriever puppies require daily walks as well, but you will want to reduce the duration and length, depending on their age.
Golden retriever puppies require short 10 to 15 minute walks or no more than about 5 minutes per month of age. As a golden retriever puppy grows you can add an extra few minutes each month to your regular walking routine. Doing so will guarantee your puppy grows into a strong and healthy dog.
Providing the proper amount of puppy exercise is also a great opportunity to introduce your young pup to other people and dogs. A regular shorter walk gives them a chance to become better socialized, which will make for a happier adult dog in the long run.
Walking a Senior Golden Retriever
For senior dogs, try walking approximately 30 to 45 minutes daily. As golden retrievers age, their bodies go through physical changes and begin to slow down. However, their joints need to remain mobile and their weight still needs to be monitored. So, they need to be walked, but not too much or it could be detrimental for their health and cause hip dysplasia.Your older dog will let you know if shes had enough or is still raring to go!
Dogs love routine. Try to plan a walk at the same time each day. Consistent walking throughout the week is considered healthier than one long weekend stroll.
Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games: 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved!
What Kind Of Exercises Do Golden Retrievers Need?
Besides walking regularly, it is also important to have some high-intensity exercise and play to help exhaust your golden retriever and retain their muscle tone. Keeping the muscles toned and strong can protect a golden retrievers joints and tendons, as well as avoiding damage to other parts of the body.
Golden Retrievers need three types of regular exercise to thrive and be happy.
1. Long walks The longer the better (within reason).
2. Purposeful high-intensity activity and play Activities such as playing fetch, swimming, or running off-leash.
3. Mental exercise Mental stimulation is a form of exercise as well and is absolutely necessary for a healthy golden. Find out which toys golden retrievers love to keep them mentally stimulated in our article here.
The average adult Golden retriever needs at least 1 hour of exercise a day, ideally more. Their genetic bloodlines can also influence how much exercise a golden retriever requires. Golden retrievers coming from a working stock would need much more exercise than golden retrievers bred to be lap dogs.
Failure to provide ample physical exercise and mental stimulation to a golden retriever can contribute to loneliness and behavioral problems. This can include aggressive actions, digging, constant barking, and even running away to have their own fun.
Golden Retrievers are very food-driven breeds. Not exercising enough to burn off the calories they eat can eventually lead to them being overweight. Obesity can lead to extreme tension on the joints, possible injury to internal organs (for example, the heart), and diabetes.
Exercise is the pill that cures most golden retriever mental and behavioral issues, and a good long walk is at the top of the list.
Exercising Your Golden Retriever Off-Leash & Other Ways To Wear Them Out
If a golden retriever has a strong recall and returns quickly when you call them, wandering off the leash at the dog park is a perfect way to wear out your golden. Generally, golden retrievers are obedient and typically have a strong recall if they are trained correctly. Proper dog training is the key to being able to successfully let your golden run off-leash.
Alternatively, you can use a retractable dog leash to allow more flexibility while still retaining control during walks. For a golden retriever, youll need to make sure you have a strong retractable leash like the Tug 360 Heavy Duty Leash (Amazon). A leash like this will give your golden plenty of room to run and explore, while staying in your control.
If you have a golden retriever you just cant seem to wear out, you can try adding some resistance to the walk by using a weighted jacket or dog harness like this one on Amazon. To be safe, make sure the added weight is no more than 10 percent of their total body weight. Doing this is more than enough to fatigue a dog with endless energy, and it will help to strengthen their muscles without overworking them.
Another option to increase resistance and wear your dog out (and you too!) is by walking on sand or adding an uphill route on the walk. Choosing a walking route with some challenges will increase the amount of exercise your dog gets from an outing.
What To Avoid When Walking Your Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers paws and joints are prone to injuries, so youll want to either avoid walking them in certain environments or take precautions. Try to avoid walking/running them regularly on cement or pavement. Hard surfaces such as these can be jarring on both the joints and paws.
Instead, walk your retriever on a lush lawn or playground. Many major cities have dog walking areas or dog parks that are deemed safe. Walking on soft grass is the best option for exercise because it is gentle on a retrievers paws and joints.
If it is exceptionally hot or cold outside, consider a set of QUMY Dog Boots (Amazon). These waterproof booties will protect your dogs feet from the hot pavement, as well as ice and snow.
Also, youll want to take care when walking your pooch in areas with sticker bushes, thorns or cactus. For obvious reasons, these things can do a lot of damage to a dogs soft paws.
If you live in a dry area, your golden retrievers paws may become dry and cracked from walking outdoors. In this case, be sure to have some type of balm like Pet Head Oatmeal Paw Butter (Amazon) on hand. Spread a little bit of this on their paws and it will take care of any cracking pads on their feet.
And finally when walking your golden retriever youll want to look out for any areas that tend to have broken glass. This can be an issue on some trails and beaches, as well as sidewalks in the city.
How Long Should a Golden Retriever Be Walked The Bottom Line
The golden retriever is an energetic dog breed and with a high level of endurance. They are also incredibly smart, meaning they need to keep their minds busy as well as their bodies. To avoid boredom, it is imperative to have sufficient physical and mental activity. A daily walk or two is an ideal way to provide for your goldens activity needs.
A minimum of 60 minutes of exercise per day, including walks and purposeful play, for muscle building and mental relaxation is required for a happy and healthy golden retriever. Not doing so can result in an anxious and frustrated dog, which creates behavioral problems such as barking, digging, escaping, and overall aggressive behavior.
Because golden retrievers are also vulnerable to being overweight, regular walking and a balanced diet can help regulate their weight and reduce their risk of obesity.
Walk your golden retriever daily, and hell thank you for it!
