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Original poster

Can anyone advise me on how much exercise is too much for a choc lab 11 months?

32 replies

tryingtocookacurry · 18/11/2009 19:33

During the week, he is currently getting 1 mile of lead walking and then a ball throw session in a big car park before I go to work in the morning. Then another walk at lunch time with my neighbour for another mile I would say but with a time off lead on a field.

My dp has started taking him over the field in the evening whilst he jogs, but he lets the dog off lead, so he is not being forced to jog iyswim.

At the weekend, I love taking him on walks where we will meet other dogs and he can have a play but more often than not, this ends up with him running round like a lunatic.

I am now worried I am over exercising him as have read I must be careful with his joints until he is 18 months.

Also, would love to know how much you feed yours?

OP posts:
harimosmummy · 18/11/2009 19:45

Feck... mine runs round like a loon all day everyday!! He often runs around with 2 other chocolate labs for at least an hour a day.

And he eats AS MUCH AS HE CAN!!! (seriously, he's on Hills Science plan twice a day)

I really don't think you need to worry now - watching their joints in the early days is important, but I think by about 6 months, most of the growing is done.

My lab is 6 now and currently sleeping on the sofa!!

If you are worried though, why not try to find a dog pool for him? I take mine to a dog pool in high Wycombe and he loves it (never met a lab who didn't!!)

Mind you, all my dog does is jump in, paddles AS FAST AS POSSIBLE to the steps, gets out, runs around the side of the pool and jumps in again!

morethanyoubargainfor · 18/11/2009 19:47

i don't have a lab but i would say that doesn't sound much at all. One of my lads is 2.2 and the other around 18 months (rescue) they both have atleast 3 miles a day, i tend to do it more on time rather than distance. They have walked up to 18 miles (when i was training for moonwalk) but that wasn't every day, probably not even every fortnight and sometimes they didn't come at all.

We are out walking for a min of 2 hours daily all off lead.

I know you are supposed to be careful with thier joints but i have to say i am of the opinion that we will walk when we can, there is no guarentee that they won't have any problems. No doubt someone will be along soon to tell me i am wrong but thats just my opinion.

with regards to how much they eat depends on what food you give them some are more concentrated than others.

morethanyoubargainfor · 18/11/2009 19:49

oh and i forgot to say my younger one comes running with me 3 times aweek about 5k a time, on top of the walks.

Also they swim, but you have to remember that 10 minutes of swimming uses the same amount of energy as 60 mins walking. so on the days my swim (or do extra long walks) they have extra tea. .

morethanyoubargainfor · 18/11/2009 19:50

mine just swim in the local river tho' not as lucky as harimosmummy dogs! no posh pools here!

WestYorkshireGirl · 18/11/2009 19:53

My black Lab is also asleep cuddled next to me on the sofa . He is 9 now.

I agree with previous post - the main thing with Labs is to keep them stimulated and lots of exercise/outings where they can socialise, sniff and run, both and off the lead is best.

Monty eats Beta Light dry food weighed out according to his weight twice daily and has the odd treat on his walk for rewards and a Pedigree Joint Care before bed. He is a stocky Lab (bred for show with short legs) and we have always been very careful with his weight which we all know can creep on in Labs (something to do with those gorgeous eyes!).

So my advice is to keep up the exercise and if you haven't been to dog training would recommend it. Monty was so strong that when he started getting a bit aggressive on walks and pulling, it was difficult to control him - the training helped. I hate seeing Labs who are fat and out of control!

BellaBonJovi · 18/11/2009 19:58

Info here on hip dysplasia prevention:

here

harimosmummy · 18/11/2009 20:00

Yes, Morethnayoubargainfor, swimming makes them HUNGRY... DDog gets more food (wet dog food or fresh meat) on the days he swims.

Socialisation is important - It's important for them to walk / play with other dogs at an early age.

Agree with Westyorksgirl - nothing worse that a fat lab... Cos you know the dog just can't help eating. it's a sign of a poor owner!!

Original poster
tryingtocookacurry · 18/11/2009 20:13

Wow, thanks for all the responses. I am pleased, as I had stopped jogging with him on the morning as I was worried about his joints.

Yes he goes to training every Friday and when we initially got him at 8 months I trained with a 1-1 trainer as he was completely uncontrollable. She was trying to get him to swim but he's a big wimp and won't go in out of his depth LOL! Love some tips to get him in.

I am pleased to say that he is training really well and now walking on a loose lead but only until we see another dog. But that will improve - he is a quick learner.

I ask about food because he was extremely overweight when I first got him as he was not getting any exercise at all and chewing and generally destroying previous owners house. (wonder why ) so I went with what my trainer had advised me to put him on - which was 1 small tin of Chappie mixed with 200g dry biscuits - split in to 2 meals a day.

Now he looks healthy and slim, should he be having more? On the Chappie tim it says he should be having 3 tins a day.

OP posts:
Original poster
tryingtocookacurry · 18/11/2009 20:15

Thanks for that link Bella!

OP posts:
BellaBonJovi · 18/11/2009 20:23

Info on tins, packets etc is only a guide. You should be able to just feel his ribs (not see them) and he should have a well defined 'waist'. If that's the case then he's perfect

morethanyoubargainfor · 18/11/2009 20:34

oh bella you have just described me there! . (i Wish......)

My lurcher who is the younger has more food than reccommended but thats what works for me and him, he hasn't got an ounce of fat on him and could in fact do with putting on a couple of pounds.

but like bella says you should be able feel his ribs and have a lovely waist you should be ok.

Original poster
tryingtocookacurry · 18/11/2009 20:45

Thank you - I worry about him like I worried about my baby - Am I feeding him enough? Am I feeding him too much LOL!

OP posts:
BellaBonJovi · 18/11/2009 20:57

Yes, it's just another set of worries - not to mention the guilt trips! At least - unlike dc - they don't answer you back

morethanyoubargainfor · 18/11/2009 21:46

mine answers back! the dog i mean, one is mute and the other is very vocal and likes to answer back!

harimosmummy · 18/11/2009 21:55

Mine regularly throws hissy fits in the street.

if he decides he wishes to walk a certain way home, then NOTHING will make him change his mind.

He throws himself down on the ground and, if I persist in trying to get him to do something he doesn't want to do, he howls at the top of his voice that would make most people think I'm trying to saw his paw off with a rusty blunt blade.

he has something of a, err..... personality, does old Ddog.

BellaBonJovi · 18/11/2009 21:58
Grin
minimu · 19/11/2009 08:57

I would not be taking an 11 month old lab jogging. I keep them on slightly restricted exercise until 18 months.

That said they do have exercise but not pounding jogging or loads of running.

We always use the 5 minutes exercise by month so 55 minutes a day split over three sessions is the max I would give an 11 month old.

It is frustrating as you want to tire then out and a sleepy lab is a good lab!

Swimming is great also brain work any training will tire them out. 10 minutes of training will tire them out to the same amout as an hour walk.

Personally I take no notice of food measurements on tins and just look at the dog they do need to have a waist and as we know labs will kid you they are hungry all the time!

Stayingsunnygirl · 19/11/2009 09:35

Bella - my chocolate lab puppy answers back too. If I tell her 'No!' she definitely gets attitude.

Interesting to hear the 5 minutes of exercise by month, minimu - ours is 6 months old and is getting more than 30 minutes a day - we knew we had to be careful about over exercising her to avoid hip dysplasia in the long term, but were given no guidelines on what this meant in practical terms.

At the puppy classes she attends, there's another lab puppy who dh says clearly has problems with its hips - walks oddly, seems in some discomfort and the trainer has let it stop and rest during the classes more than once.

BellaBonJovi · 19/11/2009 09:53

Nice to have someone up here on the HD soapbox with me, Minimu - it can get a bit lonely

The 5 mins per month of age is a good rule to follow, and certainly anything that puts a lot of stress on the joints is to be avoided. HD is only 30% hereditary. - the rest is diet and exercise. Until 18 months the joints may not be fully hardened and wear and tear could well result in HD which will only show up much later. Not only is it very painful for the dog, it can cost thousands of pounds to treat.
The pup at the class may well have dodgy hips but a pup with good hips can be ruined by too much and the wrong sort of exercise.

Stayingsunnygirl · 19/11/2009 10:11

Thankyou for the information, Bella - we have certainly been exercising our lab puppy more than that, so I am going to have a discussion with dh tonight.

Would I be right to assume that swimming is good exercise for labs as it keeps the weight off the hips?

MitchyInge · 19/11/2009 10:16

I've always been told 5mins per month and definitely no running on concrete or agility or the like until 18months.

minimu · 19/11/2009 10:16

Bella very happy to join you on dog hairy soap box!

I agree it is a hassle to restrict exercise but I think in the big picture it is easier than having a life time of joint problems with a dog.

BellaBonJovi · 19/11/2009 10:17

Yes, stayingsunny - swimming is good because it isn't weight bearing. It's the concussion effect that does the damage - that's why running for balls is bad too, because of all the stopping and starting which jars the joints. And it's not just labs who get HD!

Right, really will shut up now

BellaBonJovi · 19/11/2009 10:18

x post, minimu

MitchyInge · 19/11/2009 10:18

is very common problem unfortunately, people think 'working dog' = must be on the go permanently but of course when they are working there is a lot of sitting around and waiting interspersed with fairly short bursts of activity

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