Making sure your golden gets plenty of exercise is very important. Golden retrievers are usually a large breed of dog and they have a very high level of energy. Not to mention, you want to make sure your furry companion stays healthy. Here is part two of my exercise suggestions. Here’s a hint fot the first one: Just keep swimming!
Swimming
Swimming is another great way to exercise your golden retriever and it will let you both stay cool on a hot summer day.
Retrievers tend to be natural swimmers because of their special coat. They do not get cold easily and dry off quickly, so they can partake in cold winters as well.
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a private pool, bring your dog with you for a day at the lake. Make sure it’s dog-friendly. You can even just invest in a small kiddie pool, fill it up, and watch your dog go crazy.
If you do plan on swimming with your golden, remove any collar or other apparel they may be wearing. Always keep an eye on them to make sure they are safe. While these dogs are typically excellent swimmers, accidents can happen, especially if a collar gets snagged. You can even find a doggy life vest if you want to be extra safe.
When swimming with a puppy or recently-adopted golden that isn’t used to the water, take it slow. Also, make sure to give your dog a thorough bath after swimming in a lake or pool to get rid of chlorine, dirt, and other items that can cause irritation.
Using the Treadmill
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Even if you have a small house doesn’t mean you should feel limited to walking or jogging your golden outside. Many dogs can be trained to get comfortable on a treadmill. I must admit that this one sounds particularly fun.
Start off by simply having them in the same room as the machine while it is on so they can get used to the sounds and sights. You can then turn off the treadmill, get them to stand on it, and give them a treat. After they seem comfortable, turn it on at a very low speed and encourage them to stay on with treats.
Over time, you should be able to increase the speed of the treadmill to the point where your golden retriever can get a good workout on it. If they have problems getting used to it, try standing in the front of the treadmill and giving them the occasional treat for motivation.
Remember to always supervise your dog when they are on a treadmill and never tie them to it.
Dock Diving
If you discover your dog is one of the many golden retrievers who can’t get enough of the water, then try taking them dock diving.
This is simply a combination of swimming, diving, and fetch. Grab a floating toy that your dog loves and throw it into the water. Wait for them to swim and retrieve it. Then repeat the action. Many areas even have dock diving groups and you only need a safe area for swimming.
Before dock diving with your golden retriever, make sure they are a confident swimmer. Check the area for potential dangers, such as hidden rocks or other objects in the water.
Hiding Treats
All dogs love treats. You can take advantage of this to give your golden retriever some exercise on a rainy day.
Take some of their favorite treats and hide them around your home in various places. Consider putting them underneath rugs, behind chairs, under tables, or behind doors. Your dog is likely to get exhausted looking for the treats and get a great workout in the process.
Your golden retriever may even get enough exercise from a toy that dispenses treats when they solve a puzzle. But it depends on the animal’s personality. Just remember to restrict yourself to a reasonable number of treats. Giving them too many can make them sick or defeat the point of exercising by leading to weight gain.
Stay tuned for the part 3 finale!
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