how much exercise does a Golden Retriever need

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Golden Retrievers are one of the most favorite family dogs in the United States known for their gentle demeanor and friendly nature.

These beloved canines are also highly energetic, they therefore need both physical and mental stimulation to stay fit.

But how much exercise does a Golden Retriever need?

Read on to learn more about the exercise requirements of your Golden Retriever, and the type of engagements that you can have with them.

Watch out for our practical tips for exercising your Golden Retriever and the potential risks associated with insufficient exercise.




How Much Exercise Does a Golden Retriever Need?

General Guidelines

Golden Retrievers are active breeds with high energy levels and a fun-loving personality. Due to these characteristics, you need to provide your lovely pup with regular exercise.

Golden Retriever puppy
Image Credit: Victoria from Pexels

As a general rule, you should set aside at least 30-120 minutes every day for their daily exercise needs.

You could also divide the time into manageable sessions such as morning walks, afternoon fetches, and evening runs.

However, the amount of exercise that your Golden Retriever needs will vary depending on their age, weight, general health, type of activity, and activity level.

Age And Activity Level Consideration

Golden Retriever puppies will not require the same amount of exercise as their adult counterparts.

Adolescent Goldies & young adults will however require more intensive exercise than their seniors & elders.

It’s at this younger stage that the dog is developing their muscles and therefore they require sufficient engagement both physically and mentally.

As Golden Retrievers become senior, from about 8 years, they will require less amounts of exercise due to weakening muscles, back aches, and joint issues.

Exposing them to vigorous activities could do more harm than good but you need to walk them gently to keep them fit.




5 Types of Exercise for Golden Retrievers

There are several exercises that you can provide for your lovely Golden pal to keep them engaged and stimulated.

1. Playing fetch

Goldens will particularly do well in playing fetch because it stimulates their instinctive nature to retrieve objects for their masters.

Games of fetch are beneficial for increasing the concentration levels of the dog and in shaping an obedient nature.

2. Swimming

Active Golden Retrievers would appreciate a plunge into a dog-safe swimming pool for some low-impact exercise.

how much exercise does a Golden Retriever need
Image Credit: Denniz Futalan from Pexels

Swimming provides a perfect range of motion exercise while keeping the body cooled. This will help in managing joint issues, especially in senior dogs.

We recommend equipping your dog with a life jacket to keep them afloat and safe while in water.

3. Walking

Regular walks and runs are the most common exercises among Golden parents for their canine companions.

Regular walks can be done in a variety of settings including your neighborhood sidewalks and in the parks.

It helps to socialize your dog with the immediate surroundings and in building your bond to make deeper connections.

We recommend training your dog on how to walk with a leash without pulling. This will help in keeping them calm and in avoiding confrontation with other canines.

4. Running

Running with your Golden Retriever will help to strengthen their muscles and build their cardiovascular health.

This intensive exercise is suitable for young Goldens who don’t have problems with their joints and coordination.

Make sure to run along a safe path to uphold the safety of your canine friends and to prevent them from running into objects.

5. Hiking

If you have an active Golden Retriever who loves intense outdoor adventures, then you can tag them along on your next hike.

This is a perfect way to give your dog a tough workout in a quiet natural setting away from the normal urban traffic.

Trekking on hills helps to build your Golden’s endurance and it also connects them with the birds and other wild animals.

Always get the right gear for your Golden Retriever before heading out with them for any physical activity.

Don’t forget to carry some water and treats to reward your dog during the exercise and to motivate them to achieve their day’s goal.

Make sure to know the intensity of the exercise before strapping that collar. You should also observe the weather and adjust the exercise accordingly to help your pooch manage the heat/cold.




Benefits of Exercise for Golden Retrievers

The benefits of taking your Goldie for exercise cannot be overstated. Both physical and mental stimulation provide a good way of improving your Goldie’s health and keeping them fit.

1. Maintaining a healthy weight

A simple 30-minute walk around your neighborhood is an efficient way of helping your dog lose some body fat.

This will help to prevent your canine friend from adding some pounds which could give rise to obesity.

An obese dog puts a lot of pressure on the joints hence predisposing them to joint pain and osteoarthritis.

A healthy Golden Retriever male adult should ideally weigh between 60-75 pounds while a female should tip the scale to about 55-65 pounds.

A healthy weight will keep your dog fit and prevent them from acquiring weight-related health problems.

2. Strengthening muscles and joint

Engaging your fluffy Golden in a game of fetch will strengthen their muscles and joints over time.

Increased activity levels expend the dog’s energy to support muscle growth and development.

Golden Retriever running
Image Credit: Mohan Nannapaneni from Unsplash

A strong Goldie with thick muscles is most likely going to make a good companion during outdoor adventures and hikes.

The strong physique built through intense and regular exercising will also shape your Golden Retriever into becoming a decent guard dog.

3. Keeps your dog healthy

The daily walks and runs with your Golden Retriever are not just for fun, they also help to keep them healthy.

Adequate physical stimulation helps in lowering blood pressure and cutting down the risk of other chronic diseases.

Exercising your Golden retriever also supports healthy aging which means that they get old in good shape without suffering painful conditions.

It also helps to strengthen the bones of your dog and keep their body framework on good support.

Taking your Golden Retriever for daily exercises is not only good for their physical health, but it also plays a huge role in their mental health.

4. Reducing stress and anxiety

A docile Goldie who lives a sedentary lifestyle is most likely going to get bored and restless, and develop signs of anxiety.

Tagging your Golden friend for morning and evening strolls will help to keep them happier, stress-free, and connected with you.

It also uses their pent-up energy which means they won’t have much energy to channel on destructive behavior. This improves their quality of sleep and socialization.

5. Improving mood and behavior

Exercising your canine friend also releases endorphins in their brain, which improves their mood by promoting the feeling of joy and well-being.

Positively exercising your dog keeps them away from destructive behavior such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking.

6. Strengthening the bond

Joining your Golden Retriever in daily exercise and mental games is one of the best ways of strengthening your relationship and bond.

Taking part in the daily walks and periodic hikes on the hills will make your Golden appreciate you as their master and create deeper connections.

Don’t forget to train your Goldie on command and obedience since these will shape them into forming even better bonds with you.

7. Socialization

Taking your Golden to the park will expose them to other dogs and this will remove the feeling of loneliness and isolation.

Strong social skills also take away the aggressiveness and fearful nature that may be in docile Goldens.

Those who have been socialized well with their immediate environment and more confident and know how to respond to different situations.

8. Improves cognitive functions

Even though Golden Retrievers are naturally smart, they need constant mental stimulation to improve their brain power.

Exposing them to activities that challenge their minds, like agility training, can help expand their cognitive reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Furthermore, exposing them to new environments and sights during the daily runs can also keep your Goldie’s mind engaged and active throughout the session.




Potential Risks of Insufficient Exercise

Failing to provide adequate physical and mental stimulation for your dog will put them at risk of several health issues.

1. Obesity

An inactive Golden Retriever who doesn’t get enough exercise is most likely going to accumulate too much weight.

This excess body weight could progress into obesity hence putting your dog into related health complications.

A dog is considered to be overweight when they are between 10-20% above their ideal healthy weight. Anything above 20% is considered to be obese.

Obesity will put your Goldie at the risk of suffering various conditions including cardiovascular issues and joint problems.

Alongside revamping the exercise needs for your Golden Retriever, you need to check on their diet and ensure they get a healthy balanced meal.

2. Joint problems

Lack of adequate exercise will weaken your Golden’s muscles and joints hence predisposing them to more problems including arthritis.

The joint issues can be exacerbated by the additional weight that puts too much pressure on the already weakened joint.

3. Heart diseases

Insufficient regular exercise will increase blood pressure and blood viscosity hence predisposing the canine to heart conditions.

It also provides ground for poor cardiovascular health which puts your Goldie at a higher risk of suffering a heart condition.

4. Destructive Behavior

A sedentary Golden Retriever may start destroying items in your house or acting restless. This should be a sign that they need more exercise.

Some of the destructive behaviors include chewing on shoes or seats, peeing on the carpet, rummaging through the trash bin, destroying items, or increased aggression toward their human family or other pets.

Please note that a lack of exercise might not be the only reason for your dog’s destructive behavior. They could have developed such manners due to separation anxiety, lack of training, fear, or lack of socialization.

If you’re exercising your dog regularly and they still show unexpected behavior, then you need to check with your vet for a proper diagnosis.

5. Hyperactivity

A Goldie who rarely goes out for exercises would become too hyper whenever they see you with a leash or when heading out.

This high hyperactivity is a good sign that your pooch is restless and that they need adequate stimulation to channel their energy.

An over-excited dog would also engage with you during the walk by pulling the leash excessively. This could be because they desire a free walk to burn their pent-up energy.

6. Anxiety and depression

The mental wellness of a Golden Retriever who doesn’t get enough exercise is at huge risk.

Dogs living a sedentary lifestyle with little or no outdoor activities are prone to suffer loneliness, stress, and even becoming depressed over time.

Keeping your dog indoors without physical engagements will give them a sense of isolation or unloved feelings which can make them moody and depressed.

7. Barking, growling, and whining

Bored Golden Retrievers may decide to bark or whine when they stay indoors without getting any exercise.

This could be a way of attracting your attention and communicating their frustration about not going outdoors for walks.

An over-excited Goldie who feels the urge to take a stroll in the yard would run in circles and move towards the door while barking.

Be careful about how you respond in such situations because the dog might culture the habit of seeking your attention wrongly.




How to Exercise a Golden Retriever

When establishing a workable routine for exercising your Golden Retriever, you need to consider their age, lifestyle, and activity level.

1. Creating an exercise routine

Dogs are routine animals and they do well when they know what is expected of them. You need to start by deciding the best time each day for taking your dog out.

The weather might be on the hotter side during the afternoons in the summer, therefore we recommend choosing between morning hours and evening.

If your dog is highly active and needs lots of physical stimulation, you can split the session into two and be careful not to overstimulate them.

Make sure to stick to the exercise plan that you have chosen and feel free to adjust the timing based on the weather condition and general health of your dog.

2. Choosing appropriate activities

There are lots of physical and mental activities that you can provide your Golden Retriever. You need to choose the type of exercise for the day and prepare early enough.

Remember to choose the exercises that your dog can manage. You wouldn’t want to heavily tax your dog’s energy while pushing them to do extremely hard challenges.

Canadian Golden Retriever
Image credit: Ben Pitasky from Unsplash

You can start with simple walks and runs from the puppyhood stage and develop the intensity as your dog ages and when they have the physical power.

Senior dogs should be offered gentle exercises that are soft on their weakening joints. You also need to give them break sessions to re-energize.

3. Safety considerations

Safety should always be a priority when stepping out with your fluffy Golden pal for an activity. You should get the appropriate gear to restrain your dog when engaging with them outdoors.

Some of the most common dog gear include a leash and harness to guide your dog through the path safely.

You can also invest in a good GPS-tracking collar when hiking with your furry friend. This will provide you with the real-time location of the dog and sound an alarm when they veer off from the safety zone.

Use soft balls when playing fetch with your Goldie. Hard balls and rocks might cause them dental problems when they pick.

4. Monitoring your dog’s health and behavior

Closely monitoring your Golden’s health while exercising them is a safety measure that should never be ignored.

Start by examining your dog for any physical signs of injury before taking them out for the exercise.

An injured dog should be allowed to heal slowly before taking them for outdoor activities again.

If your dog is fatigued during the activity, you need to stop and let them have a rest. You can provide them with water to re-energize their body.

Excessive panting is also another sign that shows the dog is getting too worked up. Sudden limping or reluctance to move might indicate that your Goldie has had an injury along the way.

Never force a seemingly weak dog to finish up their daily exercise requirement. You need to step in during an emergency and provide first aid care in case of injuries.




Conclusion

Golden Retrievers need plenty of exercise that should last anywhere between 30 – 120 minutes; broken into manageable sessions.

The type and intensity of the physical activity should depend on the dog’s age, weight, general health, and activity tolerance.

Providing your Goldie with everyday stimulation will help to keep them healthy, happy, and well-socialized with other people and pets.

Create a routine for exercising your Golden and consider all the safety precautions to keep them safe during any outdoor activities.

Written By

Laura is the founder of Furs'n'Paws. She is a also a pet writer and expert with more than 20 years of experience of working with dogs and cats. She developed a very strong love for animals at a young age. Her passion led her to establish a thriving pet sitting and dog walking business in Dubai. As an expert in pet training, behavior, and nutrition, Laura is committed to helping pet owners and pet lovers by offering high-quality information on a wide range of topics.

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