How Much Exercise?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My DH and I have different views on how much exercise is too much for Murphy and so I told him I was going to consult with the "Doodle Experts".  Recently we've been putting Murph on the treadmill for an hour at a 3.0 speed with an incline of between 4 and 10.  In addition, we take the boys for good walks every day that isn't raining and send them to Daycare where they run full out most of the day twice a week.  I think this is too much treadmill for Murph, especially since he's losing weight.  He's down to 50 lbs and I can feel his ribs.  I can't seen to get him to eat enough calories to compensate for what he's burning.  I'm back to full home cooking for his night meal and I've increased the carb ratio.  DH thinks that he needs this much exercise to burn off energy.  I told him I thought this was more exercise than other Doodles were getting, but he disagrees with that.  What are your thoughts?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jane, what jumped out at me wasn't the duration of exercise but the intensity. 4-10 levels on a TM is strenuous and will certainly build muscle and strength. Maybe just lower that gradually, see if there is any change in temperament and watch his weight. Even if he is eating the same, just that one change should help slow down the weight loss.
I certainly think most dogs his size CAN exercise that much, and my two would easily and happily, but they don't NEED to like your Murphy. I would think your vet will advise changing exercise before drugs, but I certainly don't have any experience with this at all. Just using people nursing thinking.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Good point Sue....we increased both the intensity and duration at the same time.  Maybe we should have eased into it. 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Can you cut the treadmill time in half to 30 minutes?  Do it mid-day and then if his anxiety seems high in the evening, tack  the other 30 minutes back on.  I don't know, but I think he may be a bit worn-out.  Knox loves his walks and his time off leash at the park, but I don't think he's getting anything close to what Murph is getting,  I'll be anxious to hear what your vet says!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm thinking cut back to 30 minutes for now, Doris.  I guess I definitely have to get the Vet involved. 

[Sharon & Monty]

Wow, I have the laziest dog ever!  We can walk down the back road which is a bit over 1/2 mile each way.  Now the lane has a very long steep hill, one that I have not entirely gotten used to, its still a puffer.  This walk takes about 15 on a fast day, on a slow day that Monty wants to sniff everything, takes longer, but he comes home and is fine for the entire day!  If we throw balls, after 5-10 minutes, he's lays down and declares it enough.  If we go on leisurely walks in the woods or something, he can go for a long time. 

I do know high energy dogs tho.  I used to have a golden that I walked/ran 2 miles every morning, another mile or so in the evenings and ball in between.  She would rest for about 20 minutes and ask for more.  So I'm grateful for my lazy dog.  

However back to the original question, I think the treadmill is a bit much.  Have you or DH tried this regime?  Sounds like a full all out marathon to me (or maybe cause I'm getting older?) that is especially combined with all the other exercise he is getting?  If it were me, I'd try lowering the treadmill, especially if you are sensing he's not liking it so much, maybe even just leveling out the incline.  I would hope he doesnt start to resent the treadmill. The meds may indeed be doing their job and he may not need all this.  

[Sharon & Monty]

Makes me wonder about the difference between a golden "Field Dog" vs "Show Dog"  I did purchase Monty from a breeder that typically breeds show dogs from championship lines.  That is exactly what I was looking for as my other golden a simple AKC from friends was a great dog that could never tire.  The thing that drew me in for the championship line (and guess what it wasn't the cost, cough) they advocated a more laid back disposition, lines from Europe where they have different definitions of what can be bred. I rolled the dice, as I really wasn't educated but it sounded good to me.  I do think IMHO that there are different levels of the breed, those that are closer to the original golden that needs a job such as hunting and so forth.  I surely would think Murph fits in there. I guess I'd liken it to the border collie that is in the home, they need more to do.  I admire everything you do to get Murph in the zone, he needs to be busy for sure.  

Just a thought, I don't know much about birthing babies neither.  LOL  You are doing an awesome job with Murph, sorry that you have to keep tweaking the whole deal. :(   Hang in there!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks Sharon.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

DH does treadmill, but I avoid it like the plague...LOL.  He doesn't think this is that much exercise, but then again he's never lost the kind of weight that Murph is losing either.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh boy.  I don't know a thing about a treadmill so I can't give an opinion.  Oh Boy, I think my dog gets more exercise than the average dog.

I won't exaggerate that in the summer, Spud might get 3-4 hours of running time,  AT LEAST.  I asked F.J. ( without giving him my estimate ) and he said the same thing.

We also both agree that walking several miles doesn't do a darn thing.  Nothing. It is good for the humans, but for the young dog, it stimulates the mind more than it burns off energy.  

A good game of 20-30 minute fetch, several times a day does wonders.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with you about the walks....they are more for training and exercising their minds....definitely not aerobic.  If Spud is getting 3 - 4 hours of running time a day you must have to feed a ton of calories to support that level of activity.  That's my problem....what are you feeding and how much?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud is a sporadic eater.  He has NEVER been consistent in his eating. He does not eat set times, he does not eat the same amount each day.  We have to leave food out for him  to make sure he gets food as needed.  A cup one day, 3-4 cups another day those are the extremes.  At 432 calories per cup... your guess is as good as any.

I can say though, for sure, he eats one large bag of Acana: Wild Prairie or  Grasslands every 6.5 to 7 weeks.   That is for sure and consistent.

I'm sorry I am no help here. We are a strange case and I know you have to be consistent with Murphs eating and his belly issues.

He is not terribly thin but compared to touching other dogs, he is lean and thick.  Buff.

On the point of medication, I do think you need to give it another month to have it all stabilize.  I think this is a major change to his system and it is early.  As things level out so will the weight.  I believe humans do this very thing--kind of like the commercials... ' may gain or loose weight. may have diarrhea or be constipated'

The system just goes through changes.  I am so glad you are getting some good results though with his mood and behavior  :) 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, RJ.  Murph used to be lean and muscular....now he's just skinny.