Golden Retrievers are an energetic breed with insatiable curiosity. Golden Retriever puppies are energetic and curious as well — but they have different exercise requirements than adult and adolescent Retrievers. Because puppies are still growing, their needs change constantly. Raising Golden Retriever puppies is no small task, and it’s important that you do your research on puppy care for this breed before adopting.
Take a look at our tips for Golden Retriever puppy exercise requirements and limitations below to ensure that your puppy stays on track for healthy, happy growth.
How Much Exercise Does a Golden Retriever Puppy Need?
Golden Retriever puppy exercise requirements change as the puppies age. While Golden Retriever puppies do need daily exercise, these furry bundles can suffer from over-exertion if you aren’t careful. Since their plates and joints are still growing and developing, too much exercise can cause injury and even stunt proper growth, leading to potentially serious health problems later in life.
To make sure your Golden Retriever puppy is exercising within proper limits, take a look and the following list of age-based activity guidelines:
- Twice a day, Golden Retriever puppies need five minutes of exercise for every month they’ve been alive. For example, a five-month-old puppy needs two separate 25-minute exercise sessions per day.
- These exercise sessions should happen in addition to regular daily play activities.
- Avoid exceeding these recommended exercise limits, as Golden Retriever puppies are susceptible to joint damaged if their bodies are overworked.
Exercising your Golden Retriever puppy within the recommended guidelines will help ensure strong bone and muscle development, mental stimulation and overall happiness. Plus, allowing your Golden Retriever puppies to exercise within specific limits will help them tremendously in the training process and decrease behavioral problems.
How Far Can I Walk My Golden Retriever Puppy?
Golden Retriever puppies can be walked once or twice per day — five minutes for every month they’ve been alive. Walking for longer than this specified amount can lead to joint damage and stunted growth. Younger puppies should start out with short walks that involve frequent breaks. If your puppy begins to slow down during a walk, it’s a good indication that it’s time to end the walk.
Remember that building your Golden Retriever puppy up to longer walks takes time and patience. You may even need to time your puppy’s walks to prevent them from overworking their growing joints. This breed is known for ignoring physical limits, so it’s crucial that you keep a pulse on your puppy’s activity sessions.
Why Are Golden Retriever Puppy Exercise Guidelines Important?
Golden retriever puppies need regular, limited exercised that’s slowly incremented as they grow into adolescence. Proper puppy exercise will:
- Give puppies an outlet for their naturally energetic natures
- Increase their physical fitness and agility
- Prevent behavioral issues
- Increase longevity
- Prevent obesity and obesity-related illnesses
- Aid in house training
Exercising your Golden Retriever puppy according to age-appropriate guidelines is essential for promoting healthy physical and mental development. For more information on Golden Retriever puppy care and related topics, reach out to the Golden Retriever experts at Golden Meadows Retrievers today!