We all want our Golden Retriever to not only survive, but to thrive and be healthy. After all, we appreciate their loyal, loving, companionship. Great Golden Retriever health requires our active commitment since we are ultimately responsible for their well-being and happiness. There are a few activities to focus on to make this happen. One of the most important is helping our dog maintain a decent, healthy weight. This can be achieved through consistent daily habits such as finding time for daily exercise, providing meaningful activity, and using proper feeding routines.
Daily Activity
Dog ownership is about relationships. A constructive, daily connection with your Golden Retriever requires regular activity that is fun and rewarding to both you and your dog. This calls for time managing and commitment. What part of your day would work out time wise to engage in some fun activities with your Golden?
This could require a little planning. Is it possible to squeeze in a little time following your work day? Would early mornings work out better? Take a little time to figure this out. Preparing ahead frequently results in those ideas being carried out
Worthwhile Activities
What activities do you enjoy doing together? After all, it’s tough to keep engaged in an activity that is not fun. How about taking a jaunt around the neighborhood, strolling through your best-loved part of the park, or retrieving a ball or a Frisbee? These varieties of activities provide physical exertion for your dog, escalate her metabolism, and assist her in maintaining a healthy weight. These times together might even help you regulate your own weight. Talk about a win-win state of affairs!
Occasionally, arranging this sort of activity is straightforward. Figure out what you both like to do, make some extra time to do it, and go after it. Other times it may be more difficult. Perhaps scribble down a few things on a list as they come to mind. Keep adding and deducting activities from the list until you come up with some cool ideas. The most satisfied owners are the ones who feel they are doing their best for their dog.
Just remember, dogs will not normally exercise any more than we do without some sort of direction. If we arranged a work out session at the gym, we are more likely to exercise than if we are just planning to do it at home alone. Dogs are similar. They may do a little running around without being coaxed, but tend to spend most of their time sitting or laying down. So it’s up to you to get your dog active.
When–And How Much–to Feed Your Golden Retriever
Your dog’s weight is closely related to one key habit: how often, and how much, you feed them. Obesity in dogs is all too prevalent, and the health effects are probably as regrettable as they are in humans. Overweight dogs put increased stress on their joints, hearts, and are susceptible to diabetes. They are also more predisposed to injury, which of course limits their capability to engage in routine exercise.
A major cause of obesity in dogs is simply overeating. Dogs enjoy eating and many loving owners enjoy seeing their dogs happy. I enjoy seeing my Golden Retriever enthusiastically devouring a bowl of food. He seems so happy. In the long run, however, overfeeding causes several issues including obesity and other related physical problems.
Think before allowing your dog unrestricted accessibility to his food. Some people wrongly assume that their dogs have self-control when it comes to eating. So they set a bowl of dry food out for the day allowing easy access to it. Doing this leaves little doubt your dog might indeed be overeating! Dogs will eat for multiple reasons, including boredom. Boredom plus unrestricted access to food generally leads to unwanted repercussions.
Allowing your Golden day long access to food also makes your job of monitoring potty breaks difficult. An eating schedule with no apparent rhyme or reason only leads to a random and unpredictable potty schedule. Scheduled, regular meals, by contrast promote habitual elimination. This is especially important if you are gone during the day and keep your dog in the house. Of course you don’t want your dog to need to eliminate when you’re not there.
But hold on! That isn’t the only reason why unregulated access to food isn’t a great idea. Take into account the times you go on vacation. Let’s say you take your Golden along with you. He may not be able to eat whenever he wants like he’s accustomed to. This may cause some anxiety issues.
One preferred method of feeding is simply to follow a schedule. Scheduled feeding is merely offering a set amount of food on a set schedule. This gives you plenty of control over your dog’s food intake, and by extension, his weight. Follow the suggested portion directions on the bag of food or perhaps ask your veterinarian what he or she would suggest for the ration.
The frequency which you feed your Golden depends on several factors including age and activity level. Keep in mind there are really no wrong answers to the question. The proper response is to find a schedule which works best for you and your friend. You might consider getting advice from your veterinarian.
An important element to the concept of scheduled feeding is keeping feeding times consistent. Feeding times should be maintained daily and not changed much. Feeding time is an important part of your dog’s day so regularity is a necessary component in maintaining his or her overall feeling of well being.
Managed, scheduled feeding also supports overall dog obedience. It’s real. Like many Golden owners, you quite possibly use a doggie treat as a perk during a training process. Treats aren’t that remarkable when she has continual access to her food. “Haw,” she could think, “I can have food anytime. Don’t you have something better for me?”
Persuaded Yet?
Dog ownership is a matter of relationships. One of the most important elements of the relationship is ensuring your Golden Retriever’s health is maintained. This requires some planning and active commitment. The rewards are a happy, healthy, and lively Golden Retriever for years to come.
Learn more about Golden Retriever health?. Stop by Leonard Phillips’s site where you can find out all about Golden Retriever Health. Complementary email course.