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

[tryingtocookacurry]

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?

Very useful thread. I am trying to stick to the 5 min rule which currently means 25mins, though we have gone over occasionally and sometimes are out longer as there is a fair amount of standing around and talking with other owners. We've been guilty of ball throwing so will be careful with that.

What about careering madly around with other dogs? We were out with one yesterday and things got rather hectic, I did think at the time that it looked hard on the joints.

This is where I take my lab.

I can't recommend it highly enough.

my dog HOWLS when he realises where he is and I have to make sure that we aren't early, or he will howl like a banshee if he's not allowed to jump in immediately

Thanks Minimu with regards to the exercise - cos that is what I thought. Now I'm worried that I have caused the damage already although, to be fair he is not limping or showing any signs of discomfort but what if the damage is already done!

Wynken, mine is exactly the same careering round with other dogs when he gets the chance and having a generally great time, we also do ball throw in the mornings.

It is very difficult as I associate tired dog with no chewing whilst I am out, but also, do not want to cause him problems with his hips. When we had him neutered, I was told he must only have short lead walks so as not to strain the sore area and he started chewing and I though that might have been due to lack of exercise.

It is such a balancing act between having them not hyper and not too much exercise.

Swimming is great and also clicker training. 10 minutes of training with a clicker will tire them out about the same as an hour exercise and they should sleep afterwards for a while. Teaching tricks and the normal down, sit, stay, wait, leave it, watch me, touch etc. Retrieving named objects makes them think and again using their brains really does tire them out.

Also a kong can help them to burn off energy. With a lab get them to hunt for treats in a smallish place again gets them working without too much exercise.

I wouldn't worry about the exercise he has had as you say all dogs have their crazy few minutes.

I have a choccy lab who is 15 and definately the boss of my lot! Got a soft spot for them!

These are fantastic for keeping dogs occupied instead of chewing:

here

I should really be on commission, but they are good. I put my pup's lunch in there when I have to go out, and she has to really work away at it for ages.

There is also an art to stuffing Kongs - look on the Company of Animals website for tips and recipes. Rice and tuna or moistened drydog food stuffed into a Kong and then frozen will keep them occupied for a loooooooooooooooooooong time

When our Lab was younger he chewed when left alone no matter how much exercise he had in the morning (the wall, bannister and carpet suffered most!). We tried Kongs and also hide bones but he got very crafty at throwing his Kong down the stairs thus dislodging all the tasty treats without having to work at it!

I always remember our vet telling us that Labs tend to settle down after the age of 5. To a degree that was true, but he still goes mad for play time with other dogs and is fairly lively. I wouldn't put too much store on trying to wear them out as you could be doing a lot of walking!!!! Don't worry too much about possibly over-exercising - if you are concerned perhaps go and see your vet?

Thanks everyone! I have a Kong already and he loves it - thanks for the link.

Found a great spot this morning at the edge of a big pond and he paddled about in there for ages and loved it. Hopefully, he might edge out a little further when he gets a bit more confident and then might get into some swimming - that would be great!