Multiple Doodle Aches

[Aimee Santa Monica]

I'm wondering if alot of new doodle owners start to have new muscle pains, like i'm now experiencing.  I used to do alot more running last year, but now i think walking 2 doodles , and holding them back (usually) and run/walking forward has started to work (wreck) different muscles of mine.   Should i do any special Pre doodle walking streches?      Feeling twice my age here-

[Ginny Nightingale]

LOL! Oh definitely! I am 56, so feeling twice my age is not a good thing! But seriously, I joined a gym and I do strengthening exercises to make sure I can handle the doods. I also got the gentle leader harnesses so that they can not pull much--still need the muscle though to give them a good tug when they forget who is supposed to be the pack leader!

[Beverley S. LaLonde]

Hi Aimee,

I have found if you can do a little retriveing with your doodles before you start the walk it takes them down a bit so you can enjoy your walk. If you don't have a fenced yard do you have basement steps? Or stairs going up? Send them up or down about 20 times maybe 30 if you have two. The harder their pulling on the leash the more they will pull. Work on about turns with your doodles one at a time and correct with leash if they forge ahead. Always lead with your left foot first at the same time your giving the command to heel. As this will eventually be an automatic command to heel once they learn the Heel command. Mix it up do left turns into your dog catch him with your left knee and it won't take long for them to get the idea. Also right turns etc. Good Luck I have four and it is a real trick when we walk. Bev & Pack

 

[Aimee Santa Monica]

Thanks Bev & Pack for your advice!

 I went to the doctor yesterday to check my knee- looks like i need therapy on my knee. I'm just glad it's not worse! I hope to be running again someday.

 Ayla , surprisingly, is not into retrieving-yet. I have to work with her more one-on -one with fetch.  Storm loves it, though!   I'm looking  into getting the Canny Collar-  what do you use?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh yeah, I definitely have aches and pains brought on by my doodles.  I got a smaller doodle this time because it was very hard to handle two LARGE doodles, but the little guy seems to have even more energy.  He is 43 pounds, but when he wants to run after a cat, squirrel, rabbit, or other hairy creature, I have a hard time on the end of his leash.  He follows my bike for a 7-mi ride but afterwards is ready to go again.  Groucho Too, the older and larger doodle, just plods along and is easier to control.  Keeps you young, doesn't it?