How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need?

Golden Retriever is a strong, well-built and athletic dog. They were bred to be working dogs, to retrieve birds and other prey and bring it back to the hunter without damage. This involved running, hiking long distance and swimming to get the prey.

Though these days, they are commonly used as pets, but they still possess the genetic temperament of a working dog and have been bred to be very energetic and active. To keep a Golden Retriever happy and healthy, you need to provide them enough exercise.  So, the question is how much exercises do a Golden Retriever need?

Golden Retriever Exercise Requirements

They need some form of daily exercise; otherwise, they become restless, nervous and hyperactive. This is particularly problematic if you keep your dog indoors and there are some other people in the house or the house is small and has lots of breakable items.

Golden Retriever exercise can be as simple as walking your dog twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. This should last for about 45 minutes to one hour to ensure they exercise enough.

Exercise provides a lot of benefits to Retrievers. Most importantly, during the puppy stage which is very important for it growth. Expose the puppy to early exercise and training. This kind of training should not be stressful and should not put a lot of strain on the puppy. If you are asking the type of exercise and how much is enough for your Golden Retriever puppy.

Read on, this article will deal with that extensively. For a start, you should introduce your puppy to the kind of exercise that allows him to focus on you and do the things you want him to do. Such exercise should help shape your puppy to a well-behaved dog and help its concentration, as well as directing its energy toward the right behaviors.

Types of exercises for Golden Retrievers

There are many types of exercises for Golden Retriever but in this article, we will take a look at the best types of exercise you should give to your dog to enable him to live a happy and healthy life.

Daily walk

A daily walk is necessary for Golden Retrievers not just to release some excess energy. But it also helps stimulate your dog's mind with sounds, sight and smells he encounter during the walk. Dogs like routine, so try scheduling the walk around the same time each day. The daily walk is better than nothing all week and a long walk on weekends only.

The duration of the walk is limited only by your time and energy because Retriever was bred to work all through the day. Ideally, the least should be 45 to 60 minutes a day. This may be just once or twice a day if your schedule permits. The speed of the walk should be a brisk quick trot. Though, it is unlikely to wear out a Golden Retriever.

If your dog has a good recall and comes on command, it will be perfect to let him walk at the park off-leash. You can also use a retractable leash to give your dog more freedom while maintaining control. Naturally, Golden Retrievers are obedient and have better recall if they are trained.

Swimming

In addition to daily walks, it is also necessary to give some high-intensity activities and play to further tire your dog and to maintain muscle tone. By maintaining strong muscles, they will support the joints and tendons and prevent injury. Golden Retriever were bred to swim, and swimming is one of their best exercise.

The benefits of swimming for Retrievers include a vigorous activity that burns energy quickly, it helps strengthen and tone muscle from resistance provided by the water. Swimming is a low-impact activity that does not strain the dog joints and tendons. It is the right treatment for a dog who is recovering from surgery or injury.

Puzzle Toys or Hiding Treats

This is a mental stimulation Exercise, and Golden Retriever needs this kind of exercise to improve their training. They love treats and you can use this advantage to exercise your dogs during rainy days. Take some of its favorite treats and hide them in different places around your home. Your dog is likely to get tired searching for the treats and get a great exercise in the process.

Your retriever may even get sufficient exercise with a toy that dispenses treats when it solves a puzzle, but it depends on the dog breed. Don’t forget to restrict yourself to a sensible amount of treats. When you give your dog too much treat can make them sick or defeat the purpose of the exercise by gaining weight.

Benefits of exercising your Golden Retriever

An exercised dog is a calm and happy dog! It is sad that many dog owners ignore this basic health requirement for different reasons, sometimes just because it is uncomfortable for them. To own a dog comes with the responsibility of keeping your dog happy and healthy. This involves a lot of things, like giving your pup a daily exercise. The following are the benefits of exercising your Golden Retriever.

Exercise help slows down the aging process: aging is part of life. But, giving aging dogs both mental and physical exercise can help prevent some age-related diseases. Exercise is an excellent defense against anxiety: Since exercise usually reduces anxiety, lack of exercise can lead to anxiety. Owners who spend time to exercise their dogs daily are less likely to return home to a house that has been torn apart by an anxious, bored and neglected-feeling dog.

It also helps strengthens the bond between the dog and its owners. Which exercise partner is better than the one who always shows up and never complains? Golden Retriever is a built-in exercise pal. Exercising together benefits both dog and its owner in terms of general health and strengthening their bond. It's an engaging, and mutual activity ideal for bonding and boosting the heart rate.

The consequences of not exercising your Golden Retriever

Not exercising your Retrievers can have adverse effects on their emotional, physical, and mental health. A pup that does not leave his home is likely to be frustrated, bored and has excessive energy. Some side effects of not exercising your Golden Retriever may include the following;

• A bored and frustrated dog is very likely to develop behavioral problems. This may include unnecessary barking, destructive behavior, digging and escaping.
• Lack of exercise may prevent your dog from learning the necessary social skills that can only be learned through social interaction. A pup that has not learned how to get along and communicate with other dogs can end up fighting. This is not good for you and your Retriever.
•  Not having the opportunity to sightsee the environment. Golden Retrievers are naturally curious creatures. Walking allows them to smell, see, and hear new things and gives them the chance to know their environment. Not having this opportunity may affect your dog's confidence by making him nervous and afraid when facing new situations.

Conclusion

The Golden Retrievers are a very energetic dog breed and need a lot of exercise. Lack of exercise can lead to various health problems, behavior problems, and hyperactivity. Therefore to have a healthy and happy Retriever, you need to provide your dog as much exercise he needs and deserves.

If you are the kind of person who likes to stay at home with your feet up in front of the television, Golden Retriever is not the right choice for you. But if you are the outdoor kind of person, Retriever is the right choice for you.