How have your exercise habits changed since getting your doodle?

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

I must confess that I was a total couch potato before getting my first doodle. Zeke came to live with us in June 08 when it was getting really hot in our area. Sweating is one of my least favorite things to do but I knew this 12 week puppy needed exercise. Luckily since he was so young I could start slow in exercising myself. I started with short walks in our neighborhood, then as Zeke got older progressed to longer walks in our nearby park. Now that we have Lily also, she came to us at 7 months, we are all 3 walking, hiking and they are running while I walk. My DH walks them in the neighborhood in the mornings and I take them out at least 5 days a week in addition to obedience training 1 night a week. All this has been a new lease on life for me. I'm much more mobile, my left arm is much more strong from all the leash work and I'm able to walk 3 miles without being breathless. All this exercise is as necessary for me as it is for my doodles!

[Ali]

Same here. When I was without Lola, I just blew off going on walks or exercising, even though I knew I should. But with Lola, I am no longer working out for myself. I have to do it for her, which makes me more active.