Exercise

[Jennifer and Jack]

Please excuse me if I am making discussions when I should not be or if I am supposed to post somewhere else. I am new to this and so far all I have done was discussions.

 

I am wondering about exercise. How much time do you daily spend making sure you dog is exercising. I mean when they are actually running, walking, playing or chasing.

 

I know that I could not handle a bigger dog if that meant bigger dogs need more exercise. Jack goes to play group on average two to three times a week, where he is romping with other dogs for at least three to four hours. He gets two to three half hour walks daily. Which are about a mile each time. I do two "play times" a day which I sit on the floor with him and throw his toys back and fourth. ( I also use this time to train him)

 

The only time he seems tired is after the several hours of play groups. I was wondering what you all do for exercise, I know walking is key because it helps them with their innate drive to walk.

 

I am just looking to give Jack the best and most healthy exercise life, I don't want to over do it but I don't want to under do it.

 

Thanks for advice.

Jennifer and Jack

[Karina]

My Rosie is 50 pounds and she gets lots of excercise. i found that a tired dog is a good dog. rosie and I take a walk that in total is about an hour in the morning and 15-20 minutes at night and each walk ontains at least 10-15 minutes of fetching. When we go to Point Isabell that could be longer and we always pray for her to play with other dogs. I know that puppies shouldn't do too much excercise at a time due to their fragile joints, so its fun to do really long walks with Rosie. The longest walk we have ever been on was 4 hours.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It really depends upon the dog as to how much exercise they NEED.  Activity is good and healthy - just like for us. The more mellow dogs do not require the same amount of exercise as the more active ones.

[Karina]

we found that without a night walk Rosie still tends to get the puppy crazies at night. she is pretty high energy. i get her pretty tired in the morning during our 1 to 1 1/2 hour walk with fetching, new places, new people. the vet told me she has a heartbeat of a runner, i am proud. she is in better shape then me.

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Linnea...

I'm so glad that you're not going to stress about not being able to take Bailey out when you weren't feeling well.

I do think we can "stress" too much over things like this...or how well we groom them...or...how much are they eating...etc... (smile)

Honestly...as long as we are doing our best...  giving them proper care and LOTS of love...they will be fine.

Of course...we will research to find the answers to the questions that we have...don't get me wrong...I am the Queen of Research...but...I am learning "To Relax".

I am so appreciative of DK...because it's a place where we can ask questions...and meet with people who have the same interests that we do...DOODLES!!

That helps...a lot!

So...I encourage you to relax...

Bailey will be fine if she doesn't get his long daily walks if you aren't feeling well...

I agree...our Doodles will adapt...and...I think that's healthy for them...

It's also a great time for them to sit and cuddle with you...(smile)

Hope you're feeling better...

Hugs from Sasha and me...

 

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Hey Linnea, I totally agree that we just need to do what we can. Jack has to adapt to so much almost constantly. I am very often in the hospital, or to sick to walk him and we just do the best we can. They love us unconditionally, They are just so awesome like that.

 

I totally get the obsessive thinking though. I have a lot going on in my life, a lot of life changes, a lot of relationship changes and I have become completely dependent on Jack's constant source of love in my life. I just love him so much.. I am learning very slowly just to enjoy each day, if it is a down day, we snuggle on the couch and watch movies, if I am feeling good, he gets to go play in play groups and stuff.

 

I think it is so good to remind each other.. Dogs have survived a really long time without having the best of everything.... I could laugh out loud and cry at the same time, my aunt gives her dog fast food, hamburgers, fries all crap food and the dog is 16 years old and in great shape!!!! I am pretty certain the dog has never been on a walk in its life!!!

 

Hope you feel better soon

Love and Hugs

US