How often should you exercise us Labradors

One of the best times you can have with your Labrador Retriever is when you're bringing us outdoors to exercise! We love to participate in any outdoor activity, especially since we have such a high energy level. Labrador Retrievers do require a significant amount of exercise, especially since our breed is very prone to becoming overweight. We love anything food-related, and it may be tempting to give us a lot of treats. However, try to keep the treats to a minimum, as this will help us to enjoy better health and a more active lifestyle. Exercising with your Labrador Retriever can be a great experience for pet owners as well, as this is a great time to bond with your dog.


Begin your Labrador Retriever's exercise routine gradually. This can be done by starting with a daily low-intensity workout, while increasing the activity level each week. A good low-intensity workout is a short walk, usually about 10 to 20 minutes long. This is also a great opportunity to socialize your dog, as we need to be introduced to the fact that there is a proper way to greet other interesting canines! If you are exercising your dog in a populated area, it is also possible to socialize your dog with other people as well, since this is an important part of training your Labrador Retriever. Leash training is also important, since this will allow you to have maximum control over you dog while outdoors. The best way to always keep your dog's attention is to give them a small treat on a consistent basis. Once they figure out that you have food, they'll stay by your side without pulling on the leash, in hopes for another treat!

After the initial training and socialization procedures are finished, you can start increasing your dog's workout intensity. Start doing 20-30 minutes of light jogging, though it is important to pay attention to how well your dog handles the increased activity. This routine should be done on a daily basis, as this is the optimum exercise program for your Labrador Retriever. Unless you are training your Labrador Retriever for an organized sport, try to keep your exercise routine at a moderate pace.

If your dog is already overweight, you might have to take a slightly different approach to daily exercise. High-impact exercise, such as jogging, can cause an obese Labrador Retriever to damage their joints. This can cause a host of other problems, so it's recommended to give your Labrador a gradual, low-impact daily workout instead. Swimming is a great veterinary recommended activity for obese dogs, as this allows them to get a great aerobic workout while having minimum impact on the joints. Another good way to supplement an obese dog's exercise routine, is to switch to a “weight loss” or “weight management” type of dog food. Also, it is possible that your dog may be gaining weight because your dog food formula has a high percentage of carbohydrates. Try talking to your veterinarian about the optimal food formula to help your dog to get healthy.