Comments on: How Much Exercise Does My Labrador Need?

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 09:10:30 +0000

My 3 y.o. Lab is at his naughtiest AFTER a long walk. Quite often he will get an hour to an hour and a half walk off the lead in the countyside, so plenty of opportunity for him to wear out. But when we get back, he will ‘go crazy’, stealing cusions off the sofa and running away and hiding with them, or sprinting up and down the stairs, and finding a stray shoe to steal on the way! I’ve now learnt to help him wind down by giving him 15/20 mins of crate time when we get back. Seems to work!

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 20:59:56 +0000

I have a 16 month old BEAUTIFUL male Lab. Since 6 months of age he has been exercising daily on the treadmill. Starting out low and slow, he is now up 60 mins at a 4.0 pace with some incline. He just loves it and has taken total ownership of the treadmill. Winter is brutal when it comes to keeping up a good regiment. So the treadmill is a great way to cut his energy level. It does not replace games and fetch in the yard.

By: Natalia

Natalia — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 17:11:07 +0000

In reply to lazeny.

I take my lab for an hour walk every day in the morning. During that time we either walk fast pace or if there are any other dog-mates willing to play we stop for play time. Then I take her for 20-30 min at lunch time and another hour after work + 20 min just before sleeping.

To be honest, I am not so sure if that’s really enough… My lab is still too young to run long distance but her energy is very high. It takes a lot to tire her out.

Also, I think that 1 hour in the forest is not equal 1 hour in the park or at the lake! I try to take Luka out of the city as much as I can but sometimes I really wonder if that was a good breed choice.. I just think they must be happier at the countryside 🙂

By: lazeny

lazeny — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:10:39 +0000

I think my Lab is getting too much exercise. We play fetch for about 15 minutes in the morning then walk for about 30-45 mins in the afternoon. She used to walk an hour every morning and an hour in the afternoon before. But lately when we walk, she would stop and drop down on the grass on the 30 minute mark.

By: Peg

Peg — Fri, 23 May 2014 18:22:02 +0000

Thank you, Kate, for your article! Lots of advice and very well written!

By: Tess

Tess — Fri, 23 May 2014 14:18:57 +0000

Letting your dog out into the backyard does not constitute ‘exercise’ really resonated with me. Hearing ‘structure’ in what we do going forward will probably make a difference in Maddie’s behavior. Thanks for well timed info….