Advice on walking an old (11 yr) Labrador
Discussion
Walking the spaniel and lab together these days is a nightmare. One - the spaniel - flies off at break neck speed while the lab plods along at speed more akin to a glacier. This then results in the spaniel getting bored having to wait for him/us and a bored spaniel isn't a good thing. A walk which I know can be done in about 1hr now takes about twice that due to the lab. So I was wondering how much exercise does the lab actually need these days.
The Lab is probably getting arthritic at 11.
Add in a supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin and GLME (Green Lipped Muscle Extract), eg Yumove or better still Royal Canin Mobility Support food.
Short frequent bouts of low impact exercise are better than single long walks, it is important to keep them moving on a regular basis to avoid seizing up. Try and keep the levels of exercise constant day to day, ie no rest days and no marathons. Avoid aggravating factors like stairs and jumping into the car etc.
It would be worth seeing your vet for an examination, antiinflammatories may be appropriate now or soon.
I would consider splitting your 1h walk in to 3 x 15-20 min walks.
Add in a supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin and GLME (Green Lipped Muscle Extract), eg Yumove or better still Royal Canin Mobility Support food.
Short frequent bouts of low impact exercise are better than single long walks, it is important to keep them moving on a regular basis to avoid seizing up. Try and keep the levels of exercise constant day to day, ie no rest days and no marathons. Avoid aggravating factors like stairs and jumping into the car etc.
It would be worth seeing your vet for an examination, antiinflammatories may be appropriate now or soon.
I would consider splitting your 1h walk in to 3 x 15-20 min walks.
We have the same issue, 2 year old St Bernard and 15 yr old Retriever. Luckily most of the the time there is 2 of us walking them so we can split up and walk to the pace of each dog but when its just 1 of us its a nightmare. My missus gives the old one loads of different supplements and you can see a difference in her mobility but she still gets knackered quickly.
We have 2 routes we use most, 1 is a massive open area (Ferry meadows if any one knows it) and its fine with 2 of us, if only 1 of us we change to a more secluded area with paths and trails so easier to keep control of both.
Like someone above said if / when it gets too bad for the old girl then we will start to do 2 separate walks
We have 2 routes we use most, 1 is a massive open area (Ferry meadows if any one knows it) and its fine with 2 of us, if only 1 of us we change to a more secluded area with paths and trails so easier to keep control of both.
Like someone above said if / when it gets too bad for the old girl then we will start to do 2 separate walks
I have a similar issue except the Lab isn't mine.
An elderly woman and her fat Lab have started to walk with me and my mate every bloody morning, she and the fatboy are slow and drive me nuts.
She lets the dog decide when to stop, she stops frequently herself.
It's getting difficult to figure out how to get rid of them without appearing rude.
An elderly woman and her fat Lab have started to walk with me and my mate every bloody morning, she and the fatboy are slow and drive me nuts.
She lets the dog decide when to stop, she stops frequently herself.
It's getting difficult to figure out how to get rid of them without appearing rude.
Stella Tortoise said:
I have a similar issue except the Lab isn't mine.
An elderly woman and her fat Lab have started to walk with me and my mate every bloody morning, she and the fatboy are slow and drive me nuts.
She lets the dog decide when to stop, she stops frequently herself.
It's getting difficult to figure out how to get rid of them without appearing rude.
She doesn't care.An elderly woman and her fat Lab have started to walk with me and my mate every bloody morning, she and the fatboy are slow and drive me nuts.
She lets the dog decide when to stop, she stops frequently herself.
It's getting difficult to figure out how to get rid of them without appearing rude.
popeyewhite said:
Studies find no consistent benefits for either glucosamine or chondroitin
Agreed, there is however some evidence that those containing GLME as well do help. Anecdotally sometimes seems to work wonders, sometimes makes no difference. The risk of side effects is extremely low, and as such would say be worth a try. I'll be honest, I don't have the time to walk them separately during the week.
Oddly enough for a chocolate Lab he isn't over weight. 29Kg which is on the low end for a male lab. Any lower and I think he would look anorexic.
Dog is feed raw, so his diet is pretty good.
I'll see how it goes, he is quite happy bumbling about in the garden - we have a large garden - but he won't poo in it. He is odd like that.
Oddly enough for a chocolate Lab he isn't over weight. 29Kg which is on the low end for a male lab. Any lower and I think he would look anorexic.
Dog is feed raw, so his diet is pretty good.
I'll see how it goes, he is quite happy bumbling about in the garden - we have a large garden - but he won't poo in it. He is odd like that.
k off then😀.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff