Comments on: Labrador Exercise: How To Keep Your Dog Fit

By: R D Mouncer

R D Mouncer — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 11:43:56 +0000

Regarding walking versus running, walking slower engages the muscle for longer than running, but without producing adrenalin, so you should be bringing home a more relaxed dog!
We don’t actually have a lab, but our neighbor does, and I know for a fact the poor boy’s not getting enough exercise. He probably gets under an hour a day (he’s less than 2 years old) Even my Mini Schnauzer gets more than that! Consequently they have issues with him like reactivity, chewing, barking and escaping. I feel so sorry for that boy.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:34:58 +0000

we have just rehomed a 7 1/4 yr old female spayed lab that is slightly overweight and a bit stiff in the front sometimes when walking. She is always super keen to go on walks, jumps low obstacles, always tail wagging and happy. We want to make sure we don’t over walk her but also want to ensure she has fun walks and not just pavement pounding. How long is the maximum she should be walked a day?

By: Cassandra

Cassandra — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 13:03:33 +0000

Hi. I have a black lab puppy. She is now 9 months old. Walking and training her was a real challenge since she pulled on her leash when walked. I ended up getting a gentle lead from pet smart. It loops around the muzzle and hooks together at the base of the top of the head behind the ears. I can tell you it made all the difference in the world. It instantly stopped the pulling and greatly improved on getting and keeping her attention. Now it’s so much easier to walk and trainer her and at 9 months she’s a wonderful dog and our walks are fabulous!

By: C.Shaw

C.Shaw — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 17:28:03 +0000

In reply to Janene Garafola. I am very familiar with your scenario. This now a year and a half later and I would really like to know how you came through this issue. Could you provide an update please?

By: Janene Garafola

Janene Garafola — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 13:11:35 +0000

I have a one year old yellow lab I love him to death but I only am 90 ilbs I try to walk him but he walks me he is so crazy I don’t know what do . I am thinking about finding someone else to take him because I feel so bad I can not control him do to my size I get hurt 3xs a day he is a great dog but is 100 pounds and very strong . He is so smart but very stubborn do you think he will calm down or he knows he is stronger then me and takes advantage of it . He loves me so much I am afraid he will be depressed if I find a new owner for him any advice please help I love him but I don’t know what to do .

By: brooklyn

brooklyn — Wed, 04 May 2016 16:41:05 +0000

i love this website and its info because it helps me alot.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 19:20:22 +0000

I have a 5 year old lab who was playing slightly rough with another dog and he came of with a slight limp, we have been short lead walking him for 5 weeks and with 2 visits to the Vets. They advised on the 1st visit just to have short lead walks which we have done, after 3 weeks he was still limping I retuned him back to the vet. The vet gave a very thorough overview and he showed no pain at all. He has been given an anti-inflammatory and to continue on short lead walks. Each day he is very differently in terms of the limp, do we look to turn to hydrotherapy . As most labs he is desperate to play ball and run off lead, do you have any advice, No X-rays have been taken at this stage as is soft tissue damage. Thanks michelle

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 16:09:09 +0000

We have a 2 1/2 year old Lab Gorden Setter cross that has up to 6 walks a day about a mile each and off leash runs on the weekend for about an hour each day he kind of decides how he runs for and how long he walks for that suits us

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 19:12:47 +0000

I take my choc lab for a bike ride everyday. I live close to a park with a pond that he loves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsNx1jd85ZA

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 15:23:13 +0000

Hi All:

My friend probably won’t listen to me since I have never owned a dog because my work does not allow me to meet a dog’s needs for exercise and attention (I have cats) so I am consulting with you about this concern:

My friend is a 68-year old woman with asymptomatic muscular sclerosis. She lost her dog with a lab face a few months ago. A week ago, she finally decided to adopt a 1-year old black lab to join her 13-yr old collie. My friend does not like to go for walks and does not have a fenced-in area for her dogs. She lets them out on a leash for a brief bathroom break and then in again. The collie has gnawed at his legs for years now, is arthritic, but still handsome. I offered to go with my friend to walk the lab, but she said she was afraid the dog’s high energy would cause her to break free and she would be difficult to catch—also that she does not have time in the next few days because she is taking a course and has her private students. My friend told me the dog pulls hard on the leash. “Sounds like a recipe for a broken hip—yours.” I replied.

I realize she misses the dog that died and very much wants this companionship. I worry that my friend will continue her usual cycle of a poor-to-no exercise routine and they’ll both have a poor quality of life for as long as she has the dog. My friend has made up her mind to save this dog she got from a pound (but there are no-kill pounds in our area (Wheeling, WV). But aren’t there other kinds of dogs that would be happy with the routine my friend tends to engage in? What do you think? Thank you for your help.

Susan