Ensuring your Labradoodle gets enough exercise daily is one of the simplest methods to guarantee their happiness, health, and good behavior.
As a current or potential owner of this breed, you should know the minimal exercise requirements for Labradoodles. The need of not over-exercising your Labradoodle puppy cannot be stressed enough—doing so might easily harm their health and development without your knowledge.
How Much Exercise Do Labradoodle Puppies Need?
An adult Labradoodle needs anywhere from 30-120 minutes of exercise once or twice a day because they are energetic. Your Labradoodle’s personality, height, and age will determine where they lie within this spectrum.
Less activity should be given to labradoodle puppies—around 5 minutes per month of age, 1-3 times daily. By doing this, extra strain on their growing joints is reduced.
The age and size of your Labradoodle are used in the table below as a useful reference to determine how much exercise they should get each day.
| Your Labradoodle’s
Age |
Teacup / Toy Labradoodle
Exercise Requirements |
Mini Labradoodle
Exercise Requirements |
Standard Labradoodle
Exercise Requirements |
| 2 Months
(8 Weeks) |
10 Minutes
1-3x/day |
10 Minutes
1-3x/day |
10 Minutes
1-3x/day |
| 3 Months
(12 Weeks) |
15 Minutes
1-3x/day |
10 Minutes
1-3x/day |
10 Minutes
1-3x/day |
| 4 Months
(16 Weeks) |
20 Minutes
1-3x/day |
15 Minutes
1-3x/day |
15 Minutes
1-3x/day |
| 5 Months
(20 Weeks) |
25 Minutes
1-3x/day |
20 Minutes
1-3x/day |
15 Minutes
1-3x/day |
| 6-12 Months | 30 Minutes
1-3x/day |
25 Minutes
1-3x/day |
20 Minutes
1-3x/day |
| 12 – 18 Months | 30-60 Minutes
1-2x/day |
30-60 Minutes
1-2x/day |
25 Minutes
1-3x/day |
| 18 – 24 Months | 30-60 Minutes
1-2x/day |
45-90 Minutes
1-2x/day |
30-60 Minutes
1-2x/day |
| Adult
(2+ Years) |
30-60 Minutes
1-2x/day |
45-90 Minutes
1-2x/day |
60-120 Minutes
1-2x/day |
| Senior
(8-12+ Years) |
20-30 Minutes
1-2x/day |
30-45 Minutes
1-2x/day |
30-60 Minutes
1-2x/day |
Remember that this table is meant to give a general idea rather than a precise or firm number. When deciding on the ideal exercise routine for your dog, your local veterinarian is your finest source of information.
The Risks of Too Much or Little Exercise
Labradoodles who don’t get enough exercise risk being overweight or obese. Having a fat dog is not cute—it is risky!
Obesity is a root cause or contributing factor in many health issues affecting Labradoodles, including cancer, kidney illness, arthritis, and heart disease.
Not only will your Labradoodle’s physical health suffer from not getting enough exercise, but so will you. Lack of exercise frequently worsens behavioral problems like jumping, barking, and destructive behavior.
Labradoodles are often a breed that is simple to train. Therefore, if your dog has trouble learning commands, think about how much activity they are getting.
Remember that occasionally too much of a good thing can be detrimental. That is unquestionably the case when it comes to exercise, especially while your Labradoodle is still a puppy.
Your dog’s joints are still growing until they reach their full height and weight. Excessive physical activity or extreme sports might cause lifelong bone and joint issues for your Labradoodle.
There are no certainties, but getting your Labradoodle the right amount of activity for their size and age may lower their risk of numerous health problems!
By purchasing a high-quality pet insurance plan, you may prevent ever having to settle for less-than-optimal care for your Labradoodle due to financial constraints.
What Do the Labradoodle Exercise Needs Depend On?
Age
Your dog’s age has the biggest impact on how much exercise a Labradoodle needs. Puppies are curious, active, and they enjoy playing. Their bones and joints, however, are still in the early stages of development. Extended or intense physical activity can harm a child’s development permanently.
On the other hand, Senior Labradoodles frequently require less activity than younger dogs and would rather laze about the house for most of the day.
Puppies and senior dogs need plenty of rest during the day for their bodies to heal, which is one thing they have in common.
It can be tempting to exceed your Labradoodle’s recommended exercise levels, especially with all the excitement of obtaining a new puppy. Undoubtedly, your Labradoodle might be your go-to hiking or jogging partner someday. But wait until they are an adult—do them a favor!
Remember that pups are unaware of their physical limitations and what is beneficial or detrimental to their future development. It’s your responsibility as a good dog parent to assist in pointing them in the proper path!
Continue reading for some advice on safely and responsibly releasing all puppy energy!
Size
How much exercise your Labradoodle needs depends greatly on how large they will be when they are completely grown.
Larger dog breeds, like the Standard Labradoodle, typically require more exercise than their smaller cousins. They will grow to their full height and weight when they turn two. This means that until they are through growing, their bones and joints shouldn’t be subjected to a lot of stress.
Smaller dogs, such as those in the Teacup, Toy, or Mini Labradoodle categories, can require less activity as adults but mature more quickly. For instance, a Teacup Labradoodle may stop growing as early as 7 to 12 months of age.
Your veterinarian can tell you when your Labradoodle has reached its full size. Then, in addition to lengthier workout sessions, other demanding activities like jogging and trekking can be included!
No matter how old your dog is, you should constantly look for signs of injury, heat exhaustion, or lethargy. Watch for symptoms like drooling, heavy panting, or lying down.
Personality
While Labradoodles are often an active breed, each dog has its personality. While some dogs were born couch potatoes, others were made to be athletes!
Due to genetic factors, the generation of Labradoodle your dog, hails from may have an impact. Your puppy will often be more high-energy the more closely related to a Labrador Retriever they are genetically. That said, you should anticipate and be ready for any generation’s high energy level of a Labradoodle.
Ultimately, you’ll have to know your Labradoodle’s personality and their required activity. To achieve this, watch for indications of engaging in too little or too much exercise.
Overworked Labradoodles may exhibit physical signs including illness, lameness, or aversion to being outside. They may pant excessively while walking and decide to lie down rather than keep going. Please do not see this as laziness and pressure them to continue.
On the other hand, extra exercise could be a helpful method to settle down your Labradoodle if they are being destructive or exceptionally mischievous. When exercise is paired with mental stimulation, obedience training is greatly improved!
Exercise for Different Labradoodle Puppies
You still need to figure out how much exercise your Labradoodle puppy needs. Let’s go more specific now!
Needs for Toy Labradoodle Puppy Exercise
When they reach adulthood, Toy Labradoodles and Teacup Labradoodles often require less exercise. However, they swiftly reach their adult size, allowing them to begin increasing their physical activities right once.
Start your Toy Labradoodle puppy off with 10-minute play sessions or quick potty-break walks 1-3 times per day when you bring them home at around 8 weeks old.
You can extend their daily exercise activities by 5 minutes for each month of age. Continue to have them happen 1-3 times per day as necessary.
They can begin their adult exercise requirements of 30-60 minute sessions, once or twice per day, once they have reached the age of a full year. Take two walks of 45 minutes each, for instance. A 30-minute game of fetch in the garden would suffice, as would an hour-long stroll!
Scale back the exercise a little in their later years to 20–30 minute sessions once or twice a day.
Exercise Requirements for Mini Labradoodle Puppies
Mini Labradoodles, despite their diminutive size, may be very energetic!
Exercise your Miniature Labradoodle once or twice a day for 10 minutes for the first three months. You can extend their maximum session time by an additional five minutes after they are four months old.
You can increase their exercise to 30-60 minute sessions once or twice per day once they turn one year old. To determine how much exercise your Labradoodle enjoys, you’ll start to gain a sense of its nature.
A Mini Labradoodle is probably fully matured by the time they are 18 months old, so you may start increasing their activity to 45-90 minute sessions, once or twice a day.
When children are 8 to 12 years old and beginning to slow down, gradually increase their exercise schedule to 30-45 minute sessions, once or twice daily. Always remember that getting enough sleep is essential for senior dogs’ health and enjoyment.
Requirements for Standard Labradoodle Puppy Exercise
Due to their size and activity level, standard Labradoodles require a lot of exercise. They must, however, be introduced to this exercise very gradually due to their developing joints.
Keep your Standard Labradoodle’s exercise sessions to 15 minutes or fewer for the first five months of their existence. Have several quick daily playtimes or walks to burn off their puppy energy!
20-minute exercise sessions are suitable 1-2 times daily for infants aged 6 to 12 months. Increase it to 25 minutes once or twice a day from 12 to 18 months of age.
When your Standard Labradoodle reaches the age of 18 months, you can start allowing them to exercise once or twice daily for 30 to 60 minutes.
Finally, they will require considerably more exercise after they are two years old and regarded as adults. Schedule 1-2 hours once or twice per day. For optimal benefits, combine walking with other pursuits and games!
Reduce your Standard Labradoodle’s exercise to 30-minute sessions, 1-2 times a day, as they get older and more senior. Remember that a Standard Labradoodle will live less time than this breed’s Toy and Mini varieties. They will therefore be regarded as seniors by age 8 and possibly even a little earlier.
How to Safely Tire Out a Labradoodle Puppy?
Although walking is by far the most popular kind of exercise for puppies, there are many other possibilities to consider.
Exercise that your Labradoodle puppy receives is equally as vital as the amount of time it spends exercising. Even if you engage in high-impact activities briefly, they will harm your puppy’s bones and joints.
Exercises that Labradoodle puppies should avoid
Climbing or Jumping
Both sofas and staircases fall within this category. When lifting or carrying is an option, choose to do so.
Jogging or Running
They should only be your running partner once your Labradoodle is fully developed and their joints can withstand it.
Frisbee or ball catching in the air
Jumping up and down repeatedly might seriously harm a puppy’s growing bones and joints. Play fetch games that have a minimal impact.
Long Hikes
The majority of hikes are fairly long. They are not good for developing your Labradoodle when you add it to potentially uneven paths.
Ideas for Labradoodle Puppies to Exercise Safely
Meetups with Other Puppy Parties
This offers a fantastic opportunity for social interaction in addition to physical activities! Remember that pups don’t always understand their boundaries, so keep those play dates brief!
Slow Leashed Walks
Moving slowly enables your Labradoodle to sniff, which is excellent brain exercise!
Obedience Instruction
Training exhausts your puppy intellectually and physically. Keep sessions brief and enjoyable!
Short Tug of War or Fetch Games
Due to the Retriever gene, Labradoodles typically like playing fetch. Keep fetch matches controlled and brief; try to limit your jumping and other high-impact activities.
Alternative Labradoodle Exercise Ideas
Inclement weather need not prevent you from giving your Labradoodle some much-needed exercise!
Here are a few sneaky strategies for giving your dog enjoyable physical and mental exercise.
Snuffling Ball or Mat
On some days, use a snuffle pad or ball to feed your Labradoodle instead of a bowl!
If you’re not familiar with snuffle balls and mats, conceal your dog’s food by using cloth flaps that have been folded. They have to use their imaginations and sense of smell to locate and get to it as a result!
Although it may not seem like it, mental activity may be just as exhausting as physical exercise!
Hide and Seek
This is a simple game that you and your dog may both enjoy. Watch as your dog searches until they locate you, starting with some simple locations. Start hiding in more difficult locations once they get a handle on the game to test them.
Tug-Of-War
Most dogs are instinctively drawn to this age-old game! Furthermore, it performs a fantastic job of assisting them in meeting their Labradoodle exercise needs!
Mind Games
These entertaining “brain games” for dogs will give your Labradoodle a challenging but enjoyable cerebral workout! Additionally, they do a fantastic job adding ideas from obedience training that will organically improve your dog’s behavior.
Can a Labradoodle Walk a Long Distance?
Labradoodle puppies under the age of two should generally walk 1-2 kilometers at a time. When your Labradoodle achieves adult height and weight, they may comfortably walk 5–10 kilometers provided their stamina is developed.
Expecting a couch-potato dog to run a marathon right immediately is unrealistic! Also, remember that Mini, Teacup, and Toy Labradoodles have shorter legs than Standard Labradoodles. This implies that a mile is “longer” and more taxing for them.
When determining how far your Labradoodle should go, remember the speed you’ll be walking, the incline, and the weather.
Conclusion
It’s not always simple to satisfy your Labradoodle’s exercise requirements. It might be challenging to strike the right balance between giving puppies enough exercise and not overdoing them.
With the Labradoodle activity requirements outlined above, you know to keep your dog healthy and content for a long time.
