Whether you’ve recently purchased a labradoodle or plan to in the immediate future, there’s one thing you’ll learn very quickly: Labradoodles need a lot of exercise! If they don’t get enough time to run and play, they can become bored, destructive and suffer from health problems.
The bad news is exercising with your labradoodle is an on-going time commitment. You’ll need to make sure your dog gets time to be active every day. Even if the weather is bad, and you’re tired yourself, your labradoodle will still need exercise. It’s just the nature of the breed.
The good news is exercising with your labradoodle can be lots of fun! These are intelligent, playful dogs who love to interact with people. You two can enjoy many activities together. Here are six fun ways to exercise with your labradoodle.
- Go for Walks
This is a classic for a reason. Both people and dogs love going for walks together. You and your labradoodle can take a trip through the neighborhood, local park or nearby wilderness. Ideally, you and your dog should go for a walk twice a day for at least 20 minutes at a time.
There’s no need for the walk to be particularly strenuous. You and your dog can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood. You do want your dog to be panting slightly as the walk is over. A small pant indicates that your dog has exerted himself enough.
- Swim
Many labradoodles like to swim. If your dog enjoys taking a dip, hopefully there’s a lake or pond nearby. Just make sure the water isn’t too cold, and never, ever let your dog out on any icy surface.
Of course, don’t force your dog into the water if he’s not interested. All labradoodles are different, and there’s no guarantee yours will love the water. If they do, however, that trait is likely related to the lab side of their breeding.
- Play Games
There are plenty of fun games you can play with your dog in the backyard, local park or other favorite spot. Fetch is, of course, popular for both man and dog. You can use a plastic ball, Frisbee or even the classic tennis ball.
When playing fetch, don’t throw the ball so hard that it could bounce up and hit your dog in the face. This is actually a fairly common cause of tooth loss. Also, don’t throw the ball so fast and far that your dog will attempt to turn suddenly. Labradoodles sometimes develop hip problems, so you want to minimize any risk of injury.