Too much exercise?

[Lisa Turner]

So I take my 5 month old doodle and my 12 month old doodle out for 45 mins in the morning, 20 minutes midday, 15 or so minutes at 4 and then 15 mins at 7 and 10. How many calories should they consume?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Is this a math word problem or what????  You could probably ask a 6th grader and get some sort of answer. :-}   

First of all, how do they look?  Skinny, fat, just right?  The number of calories they need to consume in a day depends upon the dog's size, metabolism, and activity level.  Each food has a different number of calories so how much you feed depends upon the above information.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I don't think a puppy can get too much exercise, but you seem to be getting your share by taking the dogs out three (actually four) times a day.  Good for you.  The 5-mo doodle should be ready to move to two feedings a day and the 12-month doodle should already be there.  Depending on their size, they should have equal portions in the morning and evening.  So, do you want them to eliminate their meals on the morning walk and bedtime walk?  Consider when you want to feed them if you want them to eliminate at those times.  Do they have the opportunity to go out at other times during the day and a place to go?  Lots of things to consider, but probably calories is not the biggest question.

[Lisa Turner]

Nancy, your reply came across as somewhat rude!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Must be a matter of perspective....it sounded humorous to me.

[Bonnie and Kona]

I actually laughed... I reminded me of that show Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader. I hate math word problems. ;o)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sorry, I meant it to be funny. I am a retired teacher and students are often given word problems to solve, and they need to understand that all of the information is not there and therefore the problem cannot be solved. My second paragraph was meant as a serious effort to help.   You need to increase the calorie intake for Izzy.  I found that  grain-free foods have higher calories so switching Izzy to a higher calorie, grain-free food might work best for her.  One of my dogs is a chow hound and while, we have continued grain-free for him we have to measure his portions very carefully so he doesn't gain weight. So if you switched your big guy to grain-free, you might need to cut down and carefully monitor his meal amounts.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Lots of things to determine this - how much do they weigh, what kind of food to you feed them, what is the caloric count for one cup of food, etc.  I totally agree with Linda, they can never get too much exercise in the manner in which you have listed above.  Not an easy question to answer with what info is provided BUT do they look and feel like they are at a healthy weight?  Has the vet given any input as to whether or not they have concerns about the dogs' weight?  Wish I could give you an answer but I can't with just the info above, sorry.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sounds like an ideal exercise program to me.  I would look at your food guidelines and feed the amount indicated for an  active dog.  Then I'd watch them...you want to be able to feel their ribs with some "meat" over them and you should be able to see the "tuck" in the back. 

[Becka]

Not that Nancy needs me to defend her, but your question was in fact worded exactly like a math problem, and I think she was just pointing out the humor on that. She also asked some pertinent questions to help answer your query which is also not rude, but helpful.

[Lisa Turner]

Okay okay! My problem is Harvey is 65 pounds and looks great. Izzy,my five month old is skin and bone but has had so many GI issues. I guess I was questioning myself if I should ease back walking IZzy. But she has sooooo much energy and the two of them love to walk together? I am at the stage where we are now weening Izzy off of purina DCO and onto natures balance synergy. There have been so many changes for this little rescue. She is currently eating 2 cups of the mix of both foods three times a day

[Bonnie and Kona]

I think you may have answered your own question. Your Izzy had GI issues that are affecting her weight. I think unless the vet tells you to cut back on exercise for some health reason, you are doing a great job taking them out four times a day. I imagine as her GI issues resolve she will begin putting weight on. Rather than reducing the exercise, try increasing the food. 

[Lynette Main]

I"m worn out after reading this.Sounds like you and your dogs are in great shape.