Distance and Time spent on daily walks

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

I am curious about how much walking is the right amount for our doodles. I've read that a good rule is 10 minutes for every month of age up to a couple of hours a day. Most people probably don't have 2 hours a day to devote to walking their dog, but what's both reasonable and effective for exercising them?

[Lori]

I'm curious to hear the answer. I usually walk my doodles a mile up the road and a mile back.

[Tamara & Giada]

Giada is 8 months old and we usually walk about 2-3 miles 4 days a week ( I always vary where we go; woods, field, or downtown). The other days and in the evenings we take a short little one around the subdivision (this is good for distraction training). I did not know about a rule.

[GBK]

We walk about 25 to 30 minutes at the dog park, then it is play time for an hour or so. In the evening we will take another 30 - 40 minute walk. It has been extremely warm and humid this summer so this has been enough. As it cools I would like to increase to close to two hours a day. The big one and little one both seem to be able to do the same physically.

[Adina P]

Depends on if you are thinking "health" or "tiring the dog out."
Rosco at 2 years old is plenty tired after 1 mile if it is warm out. He's easy to please. But Thule could go miles and miles and be happy about it. So exercise for good behavior/tired dog varies with the dog (though I like the rule u mentioned for young pups).

But for health I would guess it is similar to people...and maybe more with all their doggy stamina.

[sru1who5u9zu]

I walk Butter around 45 minutes in the morning everyday. I am not sure about the distance, but I think it's around 2 miles by brisk walking or jogging myself. In the evening, about 3-4 times per week,I go out with Butter riding a bicycle. I am not riding fast, I cover a little less than 3 miles in 30 minutes. When we come Butter still have energy to try to play with us. So I plan to extent the distance and ride faster gradually when we are getting more familiar with riding together.
During the weekend, we usually go to the dog park for 30-40 minutes.

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

How old is your Butter?

[sru1who5u9zu]

He's 20 months old and 27 inch tall on the shoulder.
BTW, I always try to get Butter to run or walk in the grass if possible.

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

Kachi is a good walker in the morning, but he's funny in the evenings. He lets me know in no uncertain terms around 8:00pm (It is too hot here this time of the year to walk any earlier.) that he wants to go, and then after around 20 minutes or so of walking, he totally lets me know he's ready to go home, and I don't care what street we're on, he knows the way home! If I try to pass ANY street that leads back to our house, he literally puts the brakes on, and tries to tug his way in that direction. He never gets his way, but that doesn't stop him from trying! That's my clue to slow it down, because he gets hot, and I worry that the pads of his paws are sore from the asphalt that may still be warm.

[sbis0oszc95r]

Barney is a mini and black and is only 6 months old, so we walk for 15-20 minutes. He gets hot very quickly because of his black coat and will just plunk himself down wherever when he's had enough...... kinda funny. We're trying to go longer each time, but he still gets tired/hot easily.

[31oxy7u3tb5dk]

I take Gus (labradoodle) daily to the park up the street. It has a really steep hill off to the side. I let him off the leash and, using one of those plastic ball launchers, throw the ball down the hill. Running down and back up the hill, he get's a lot of exercise in a short amount of time. Every 3rd or 4th throw, I'll toss the ball back towards the park so he gets a break from the hill. He really loves it and it completely exhausts him. I'm comfortable letting him off the leash since he's extremely dog and people-friendly.

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

I agree. The off leash play with other dogs is a must. Now that Kachi has been neutered, he will get to go to doggy play group! I know he's going to love it, because he gets so excited when he is around other dogs. My girlfriend has a GD, and both dogs are wiped out the day after being together!!

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

I walk both dogs everyday for about 30-40 mins. Payton has to be walked everyday or he will pace the house.It is the Pointer in him. They are a high energy dog.
We do a big loop I am not sure how long it is. (over 2 miles?)We live on a hill so we go up,down, flat area and then back up again.
There some days where we do only half the walk.
Both dogs are good walkers. Jordan is on my right and Payton is on my left.