8/9 year old Labrador exercise needs

[hollysh]

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I just wondered if anyone had any experience with older labradors. I have had 2 arrive today for dog sitting. The owner told me that they generally have 3 15 minute walks a day. This seems very short. Although I have taken them for 2 of those already and they are now fast asleep. Do you think I should try and go a bit longer? I'm used to longer walks (being a dog walker/sitter) but have to be honest I do feel quite happy about having a break from all the exercise. The most important thing to me is that they are happy. Is this amount of exercise normal for their age?

 

[arealhuman]

I don't know anything about Labs - experts will be along shortly I'm sure - but the first thing that springs to my inexperienced mind is, is it medical related? Are they old enough to have creaky joints, hence the reduced exercise? Otherwise, it does sound like a short time. I'm sorry you've probably covered this, I'm just thinking out loud. Again

 

[JoanneF]

My next door lab is the same age and walks for miles. She is from a working strain though and they are more athletic. A couple of things strike me at this stage. If they are just with you for a short spell, increasing their exercise suddenly and dramatically could put a lot of strain on them so not a good idea. If they are going to be spending a long time in your care, what is their health and general condition like? Are they overweight for example, do they have joint problems? If they are going to be long term clients, you could suggest to the owners that you are happy to gradually increase their exercise but at the end of the day; their dogs, their rules.

 

[hollysh]

Thanks for advice. Yes they are a little overweight. But very much loved and they have 2 meals a day, they don't overfeed them. Don't have treats. I guess I should just stick with the owners exercise schedule and play it by ear. Judging it by their behaviour and see if I think they need more

 

[Josie]

My lab is 10 and he walks for over an hour and then he’ll walk another 30 minutes later on.
Sometimes I will even take him on a 2 hour walk (usually if we’re going somewhere) but then I won’t walk him far the next day.

3 x 15 minutes if they’re healthy doesn’t seem enough at all personally.

 

[Flobo]

I also home board and generally try to stick to what the owners do with their dogs as that is what the dogs are used to and like you said they seemed happy with their routine. Though when I meet my new dogs and owners before I agree to board I talk through all this with them as the dogs also have to fit in with my routine aswell to a certain extent and we generally work out a happy medium. Also I would say trust your common sense,it doesn't have to be exact if you feel they are able for a little more,or as they aren't used to longer walks and are happy, enjoy the break, go with it! Sometimes when you are looking after or walking someone else's dog, it's not always going to be how you would do it but you have to respect their wishes unless you have a good reason not to then that's a whole other subject...