Is walking enough exercise for a Golden Retriever
How Much Exercise Does A Golden Retriever Need
Updated: August 3rd, 2022
This article contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.
How Much Exercise Does a Golden Retriever Need?
All dogs need exercise to live a fit, healthy and fulfilling life.
No matter the breed, no matter how large or small, no matter their age, they all need exercise. But some need more than others.
So what are the Golden Retriever exercise requirements?
Golden Retrievers Are A High Energy Sporting Breed
As the name suggests, the Golden Retriever is a sporting breed initially created to retrieve fallen game for hunters in the Scottish highlands in the 19th century.
Retrieving in the Scottish Highlands, with its mountainous landscape pot-holed with ponds, lakes and streams is very physically demanding work.
So when they set out to create the Goldens, they had to be a high energy, sturdy breed with lots of stamina and an affinity for water.
They needed a dog that could travel large distances, hiking and swimming in rough terrain for the best part of a full day.
And with this breed, this is exactly what they got.
And although the Golden Retriever as a family pet isnt required to perform such hard work, they still have the genetics tailored towards the role for which they were created.
So they have a body and mind made for physical activity and if they arent given sufficient exercise then you may not like the result.
A Golden Retriever That Isnt Trained Well Becomes Destructive
Golden Retriever Exercise: Lack of Exercise Leads to Destruction
This sporting breed craves physical activity. They need physical activity. And if they dont get enough they store up so much unused energy and their minds become so bored that they simply have to find a release.
They become very destructive, chewing, digging, and running around your home and garden like little tornadoes. Too full of pent-up energy to be able to concentrate and behave themselves well and some will even try to escape their home and garden at every opportunity.
A lot of people who complain that their Golden is out of control! simply havent exercised them enough. They havent met their dogs basic needs and have created a dog that is literally bouncing off the walls just trying to burn off pent-up energy.
And this isnt the only problem
A Lack of Physical Activity Is Bad For Your Golden Retrievers Health
Golden Retriever Exercise: Lack of Exercise Harms the Health
Golden Retrievers love their food and will eat whatevers put in front of them. They want to do this as theyre a sporting breed that would use a lot of energy if they were working in their original roles.
But if theyre stuck at home, barely exercised and just go out on the occasional walk, they still have that voracious appetite. Only now, all that food will just turn into fat and lead to poor health and weight issues.
Yes, Golden Retrievers are very prone to obesity. Usually a combination of their owners doing two things:
- Giving in too often to those expertly crafted begging routines. No matter how old the dog, they still show those irresistible puppy dog eyes when theres food around!
- Not giving their pooch anywhere near a sufficient level of exercise.
Its simple math that if calories going in are greater than the calories burnt, then the weight will be gained. So if a dog receives lots of treats and table scraps, and are not enough physically active, the pounds are going to pile on and fast andyoull probably have to put your dog on a diet (and no one likes that!).
Excess weight leads to a variety of problems such as heart disease, increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and damage to their hip and elbow joints.
Keeping your Golden at a healthy weight is the responsibility of any caring owner.
How Much Exercise Does A Golden Retriever Need?
It varies with age, genetics and their overall health and fitness so theres no one correct answer to cover every single dog.
Ill do my best to summarize for different stages in a retrievers life:
How Much Exercise Does A Golden Retriever Puppy Need
And also, are there puppy exercise limits you should be aware of?
A good rule of thumb for a puppys exercise needs is the 5 minute rule. This rule basically states:
A puppy needs no more than 5 minutes of exercise for each month it has been alive.
So a 3-month-old puppy needs only 15 minutes exercise per day, a 5-month-old needs 25 minutes.
This exercise is a proper, structured exercise. Meaning brisk walking on leash, gentle games of fetch. Its in addition to and not instead of general play.
A puppy can play as much as they wish though you do need to be careful that they dont exercise too much.
Puppies are growing fast and their bones and joints can be easily damaged by over-exercising. So take it easy until theyre more mature. Follow the 5 minute rule and encourage very little jumping or vigorous exercise!
Continue the 5 minute rule until your golden is nearing one year old. And then
How Much Exercise Does An Adolescent Or Adult Golden Retriever Need?
As a general rule to follow, a healthy adult Golden retriever exercise needs consist of a good hour of exercise every day. But the genetics of your dog could mean you need to increase or decrease this.
Those retrievers from a working field line will be more energetic and have higher exercise needs, perhaps as much as 2 hours per day. Whereas those from show lines could get by on 45 minutes.
Theres no hard and fast rule, but an hour+ per day is a good place to start and then ramp it up if necessary.
But all Goldens need regular exercise, at least twice per day or they will become bored and probably destructive. Try to provide different forms of exercise such as hiking, running, swimming, playing fetchyou need to stimulate their minds as well as their hearts and muscles.
And dont ever worry about exercising a healthy Golden too much! They will take every bit of physical activity you throw at them and then be able to do much more. You will tire yourself out long before you can tire them!
How Much Should You Exercise An Elderly Golden Retriever?
Some Golden retrievers suffer arthritis and other joint pains as they age. If this is the case with your dog, please speak to your vet and follow their advice. With some ailments exercise can make things worse and you do not want that for your dog.
Others may start to slow down once theyve hit their 8th birthday, whilst some may still be surprisingly active at their 12th year and beyond!
Like humans, dogs are individuals and age differently. Just be mindful of not asking too much of your elderly dog.
Theyre a breed that loves to please and if you ask too much of them they will do everything to oblige and you could really tire them out and perhaps do more harm than good.
Monitor your Golden and if they seem to have aches and pains, or get out of breath a lot quicker, or take a lot longer to recover, then its maybe time to allow them to slow down. They can still enjoy walking long distances and swimming, just avoid jumping hedges and chasing balls for an hour straight.
How Do You Know If Your Golden Retriever Isnt Getting Enough Exercise?
Youll know. Believe me, you will know!
If you have an adolescent or adult Retriever who is almost literally bouncing off the walls, chewing all your belongings, cannot pay you any attention and is very hard to train, just generally seems to be out of control, there is a very high possibility you arent exercising them enough.
Or if your dog is piling on the pounds even though youre feeding them according to the instructions with their food and not giving them lots of extra treats, then its highly likely you arent satisfying your Golden Retrievers exercise needs.
But if your dog looks strong and athletic, is able to relax, pays you attention and will respond to proven commands theyve been trained to follow its a fairly safe bet that they are receiving enough exercise.
In all cases, if your Golden has behavioral problems and seems highly strung and out of control, the first thing you should do is have them checked by a vet for health issues. And if they receive a clean bill of health then the simplest of cures for a better behaved dog is to exercise them more.
Try it for a few days, you just may be surprised at the results:
An exercised Golden is a calm and happy Golden!
Conclusion
Golden Retrievers are a high energy sporting breed and require a lot of exercise.
A lack of it can lead to a variety of health problems, hyperactivity and behavioral problems! So for a healthy and happy dogand ownerprovide your beloved puppy with just as much physical activity as they need and deserve!
If youre the type of person who likes to stay at home with their feet up in front of TV, a Golden Retriever isnt the right breed for you.
But if youre an outdoor sporty type, you have the perfect dog!
Or if youve always had aspirations to get more active, well, you have the perfect dog! Your excuses to skip exercise may have been good enough for you, but they wont be good enough for your highly energetic dogand hence your belongings or your sanity too!.
Jogging alongside you, running along as you cycle, going for long hikes, the occasional swim and sessions of playing fetch all qualify as good Golden Retriever training. You will stay fit and active and happy together.
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!
