So, you’re thinking of getting a sweet and cuddly mini Goldendoodle. One of the most critical questions is, how often Goldendoodles need to be walked?
We’ve broken everything down based on the type of Goldendoodle, size, age, and other aspects to help you figure out what might be best.
Get your leashes ready; let’s get going.
Table of Contents
- 1 How Much Exercise Does a Goldendoodle Need?
- 2 What Factors Affect How Much Exercise Goldendoodles Need?
- 3 Why Do Goldendoodles Need Exercise?
- 4 Goldendoodle Exercise by Type
- 5 Mini Goldendoodles’ Exercise Routine
- 6 Unsafe Exercises for a Goldendoodle Puppy
- 7 What Is Too Much Exercise for an Adult Goldendoodle?
- 8 FAQ
How Much Exercise Does a Goldendoodle Need?
Many factors influence things, but generally, a Goldendoodle puppy should get around five minutes of exercise per month of age.
These Goldendoodle exercise sessions should happen one to three times a day, but twice a day is usually more than enough (morning and night)
Let’s see what this equals:
- Three months—15 minutes
- Four months—20 minutes
- Five months—25 minutes
- Six months—30 minutes
Thirty minutes is on the high end, but it is still okay. Remember, Goldendoodle puppies are still growing, and too much exercise can pressure the joints.
For this reason, walking is a good idea; it’s not too jarring. But any activity requiring quick movements, like landing from a high jump, should be kept for when the puppy is at least one year old.
Young puppies are generally curious, so walking is a great way to get them out without doing too much. Not every exercise session needs to end with an exhausted pup; walking at the given intervals is enough for them.
What Factors Affect How Much Exercise Goldendoodles Need?
Size
The size of your pup will affect how much exercise they need. You wouldn’t walk a German Shepherd and a Chihuahua the same distance and expect them to respond the same way.
Remember, little legs can’t walk as far without getting tired.
The Goldendoodle comes in many shapes and sizes with a teacup, mini, toy, and standard. Each will have its own exercise requirements.
For example, a standard Goldendoodle can take up to two years to reach its full size. So, you’ll need to ease in slowly when it comes to exercise because their bodies take longer to develop.
Once a Standard has reached full size, it can handle much more than a mini would.
A Mini Goldendoodle will likely reach its full size between eight months to a year, but this doesn’t mean you can run out the gate from that point.
We recommend easing into all Goldendoodle exercise; this includes walking. Since a puppy will likely not have much experience outdoors, everything is new and exciting. It’s best to start off slow with a walk in your neighborhood to get them used to all the sites and smells.
A mini will likely only need about a ten-minute walk twice daily; those little legs will reach their limit quickly.
Personality
If you have a naturally hyper pup that needs a lot of activity to calm down and get sleepy, then there is nothing wrong with exercising them more than the average mini Goldendoodle.
However, if you have more of a relaxed pupper that enjoys the slow things in life, then go with the flow, and a simple daily stroll or two should keep them happy.
There are lots of Goldendoodle types and generations, which will affect how active your pup is. You best believe a Goldendoodle puppy with more genetics from Golden Retrievers will need a lot of exercise.
However, Groodles, no matter the size, are a more active breed, something to consider before jumping to add one to your fur family.
Age
Like with humans, age affects how your pup is in the activity department. Older doggos are not going to have the giddyup seen in smaller puppies.
As mentioned, you need to limit the time and intensity of workouts and walks with your growing puppy. This can and will affect how their joints and bones grow, possibly leading to some health issues later in life.
You don’t want to put your puppy on a leash and drag them along when their legs get sore or tiered. Go out with the intention of walking your pup. You can do your personal workouts at another time.
The same goes for the adult Goldendoodle and senior Goldendoodles in your life. Although by the time they’ve reached this point, you should have a pretty good idea of what your dog like and doesn’t like and how much exercise is enough for them without hurting them.
Older dogs don’t require much exercise, but a daily walk is a good idea.
Read our guide on how long Goldendoodles live for more information.
Why Do Goldendoodles Need Exercise?
As a new member of the Goldendoodle owners club, it’s essential to know why we do things the way we do when it comes to our fur babies.
All too often, a dog owner gets a dog intending to do the work but gets lazy. A dog is a full-time job that requires dedication.
You want your Goldendoodle healthy throughout its life.
Here are just a few of the important reasons daily Goldendoodle exercise is essential:
- Promotes heart health.
- It helps digestion along.
- Prevents obesity (keep an eye on dog food).
- Provides social, physical, and mental stimulation.
- Strengthens the skeletal system and muscles to prevent injury.
- Improves overall mobility.
- Limits behavioral issues.
Do you see why it’s important to get your doggo out and about? Some pups would rather laze around in bed, but it’s up to us to get them going and promote a healthy relationship with going out and being active.
If you have a disobedient puppy, exercising could be the perfect opportunity to train them.
Most dogs crave a stable home with some routine. Even the most well-behaved small pup will test your patients sometimes, and that’s where training can be a lifesaver.
A disobedient doggo may have a little more energy and sass than you’re used to. Getting an active dog out and distracted can really help. These pups might benefit from a little additional playtime.
Misbehaving can also signify that your dog isn’t getting enough physical and mental stimulation. This presents as disobedience, as their pent-up energy can frustrate and possibly make them sad. All this can be solved with some good old-fashioned exercise in the local park.
A dog darting out the front door is not safe and is a bad habit. This isn’t instinctual for a dog but is most likely a sign you need to up the walks or play sessions.
Disobedience may also be a sign of a medical issue. If the behavior persists and is out of character, then a trip to the vet is the best option.
Goldendoodle Exercise by Type
Standard Goldendoodles
The Standard Goldendoodle is the largest of the breed types, meaning they need the most physical activity.
It would be best to increase their exercise routine as they get bigger. Here is a basic guide to how much exercise your Goldendoodle needs:
- 3-6 months—10-15 minutes (1-3 times a day).
- 6-12 months—20 minutes (1-3 times daily).
- 12-18 months—25 minutes (1-3 times daily).
- 18-24 months—30 minutes-one hour (1-2 times a day).
- Two years+—1-1.5 hours (1-2 times a day).
When your pup is around eight years old, you can decrease their activity to 30-60 minutes per day.
Mini Goldendoodles
The Mini Goldendoodle is pretty small, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need exercise. They need just as much attention in the workout department as any other pupper.
Here’s a small guide to help you out:
- Two months—10 minutes (1-3 times a day).
- Four months—15 minutes (1-3 times a day).
- Five months—20 minutes (1-3 times a day).
- Six months-one year—25 minutes (1-3 times a day).
- One year—30-60 minutes (1-2 times a day).
- Eighteen months—45+90 minutes (1-2 times a day).
Like with the Standard. You can decrease their exercise to 30-60 minutes a day once they reach the eight-year mark.
Mini Goldendoodles’ Exercise Routine
There are so many options when it comes to exercising your Goldendoodle puppies. The most popular by far is the traditional walk, which offers fantastic mental and physical stimulation daily.
Walking
Walking is also suitable for establishing a routine with your pup. In the mornings, they will know it’s time to go potty, and in the afternoon, they will get used to that being inside time and that it’s a good time to unwind for the evening.
Training
Training your dog can be an awesome way to bond while also teaching them the correct behavior at the same time. But it doesn’t all need to be serious, have some fun with the training to keep your dog interested and wanting to follow directions.
Shouting or acting negatively won’t help anything except for making a dog respond negatively to the whole training process. So, make it fun with some treats and positive reinforcement.
Playtime
Don’t underestimate the good old playtime. Trust us here at barksinthepark; your dog absolutely adores playtime, not just because it includes some fun toys but because they have your undivided attention.
Believe it or not, your dog wants to please you at the end of the day.
There are some super fabulous dog toys on the market to keep things interesting, but you can’t go wrong with a classic ball or stick; they are pup favorites.
Dog Park Visits
Since dogs are such popular pets, it is no surprise that most neighborhoods have local dog parks for you to take your Goldendoodle to enjoy the outdoors in a fun and safe way.
A simple visit to the park is a good way for your dog to smell other pups and possibly socialize with other furry friends in the area.
Just be sure to look at the park rules, but a leash is always a good idea.
Swimming
Before you think we are mad, hear us out. Your Goldendoodle loves to swim! Well… we can’t generalize, but most Goldendoodles love the water.
Suppose you have a swimming pool, then great. If you don’t, then no stress. You can get a doggo swimming pool for your backyard, or you could opt to go to a lake, pond, or beach.
Unsafe Exercises for a Goldendoodle Puppy
There are a few things you should avoid doing with your Goldendoodle:
- Jumping
- Running
- Long hikes
- Climbing
As mentioned, the Goldendoodle can suffer from weak joints in older age, and you don’t want to do anything that will aggravate things, even from a young age.
What Is Too Much Exercise for an Adult Goldendoodle?
Each Goldendoodle is different, meaning you need to pick up on their personal needs for physical activity.
But if you notice anything like: limping, avoiding going outside, limping, or panting excessively, you could be working your dog too hard during exercise or playtime.
You need to find a balance to keep your pup healthy while still being mindful of its limitations.
FAQ
How many daily walks does a Goldendoodle need?
This depends on the age and size of your golden puppy but generally, to give your dog enough exercise, two walks a day after the first year is suitable for their growing bodies. It may increase or decrease depending on their health and age.
Do Goldendoodles need a lot of physical activity?
Goldendoodles have a lot of energy, so they must have a way to release this daily to prevent an unhappy dog or unwanted behavior. Two walks a day, and a good play session is recommended.
How long of a walk does a Goldendoodle need?
This depends on their size and age, but before six months, you should keep things light with 10-15 minutes; you can increase to 30-60 minutes at a year old and up it based on your dog’s needs after 18 months.