As golden retriever owners, we understand the importance of getting your dog the right amount of exercise each day. An adult golden retriever should get an hour of exercise a day. This not only provides physical activity for them to keep at a healthy weight but will also provide the mental stimulation they need, so they don’t turn to destructive behavior. So are looking for some fun ideas to exercise your golden retriever?
Below we have listed: 15 fun options to help your golden retriever get the exercise they need.
Table of Contents
Hide and Seek
This is always our go-to on rainy days or late in the evenings when our golden is looking for a little more playtime. You can give your golden the stay command and hide quickly and then call them or make a noise for them to come to investigate. This also doubles into a command training session.
That’s one way to play hide and seek.
Our preferred method is to take off running with our golden in the chase and beat him to a room and hide.
He absolutely loves it when he finds us behind the door or crouched down behind the bed.
He also loves to chase us and running in the house.
He is usually pretty satisfied with the play session and chills the rest of the night.
Swimming
If you haven’t read out “Do Golden Retrievers Like Water” post yet go check it out. Our golden loves water so much! Its great exercise for them.
If you don’t have a pool, try to find a lake, pond, or creek to your golden too.
They will love you for it.
You can even get them an affordable kiddle pool fill it up and watch your dog go crazy. My golden would take off running and run threw the water in the kiddie pool, turn around and do it again.
It’s pretty entertaining watching them have so much fun with just water!
Always play it safe when taking your dog to a body of water; keep an eye on them to especially if you have a puppy or newly adopted golden that may not be used to the water.
Goldens are typically naturally good swimmers.
Check out our recommended swim gear!
Branch Wrestling
I don’t know about your golden retriever but mine loves a good wrestling max with a branch. Our golden led us to this exercise playtime.
He would go over to our tree line and pull out the biggest branch he could and wrestle it down. At first, we were like what in the world, he started this a puppy pulling and pulling a big branch.
Its extra fun if the branch is stuck in the woods and they really have to tug to free it. So try this one with your dog maybe introduce them to them a branch and sit back and watch the fun begin.
We keep a few in the yard that he can drag around now.
Super fun, great exercise, and playtime for your golden.
Check out this great alternative for stick chewing.
Zoomies
Our dog will be completely calm when heading out in the evenings to play, and all of a sudden, zoomies hit.
The immediate burst of energy that will send your dog running as fast as they can around the yard, over and underthings. Let your dog do this its great fun for them and good exercise.
Sometimes we join in playing with him, and he will run a little while longer than usual.
Watching a dog with zoomies is fun. They look like horses running wild! Its great entertainment for their humans a great exercise for them.
Chase
This usually falls into a rainy day of exercise fun. It just so happens the way we designed our house; it makes a circle through the laundry room and comes out on the other side of the house.
Well, it makes the perfect race track for the dog and us. Usually, my husband, but I have also partaken in the chase, take off running as fast as you can around and around with dog hot on your trail.
He loves it. He will usually start crying because he can’t catch us just yet, but he’s getting close.
We also do this around our kitchen island, and again he loves it.
So exercise doesn’t have to be some big deal every afternoon going for the same boring walk.
Make it fun.
Play chase with your dog inside a couple of times and see how tired they are, and you are. Its great exercise for everyone.
Tug Of War
Get your dog a good rope toy that won’t hurt their mouth. Playing tug a war is a perfect exercise for inside or outside.
Great for a late-night game when your dog comes and drops a toy in your lap, looking for a little extra playtime before bed.
Remember to watch for any signs of aggression while playing, and if so, disregard this exercise.
Tug of War Dog Toys for Large Dogs
(Check Amazon’s Price)
Dock Diving
Have a pool or live by a lake?
Take your dog down to the lake and let them do some dock diving. Goldens love to jump into the water.
Get your dog a good float toy that is easily retrievable and toss it. Its likey your golden with jump right in after it and retrieve it for you.
If your dog is not used to jumping and swimming let them get comfortable in the water before you start dock diving.
As their skills and confidence increases, you can start dock diving with them.
They will be catching air before you know it.
(Check Amazon’s Price)
Treasure Hunt
Need a low key indoor exercise for your dog?
Hiding treats may be your new go-to exercise with your golden. Take some of your dog’s favorite treats and hide them around your house.
Then send your dog on the ultimate treasure hunt. You can also play this game differently by hiding them in a box or container and have your dog sniff out which one contains the treats.
You can also try a treat dispensing dog toy to keep your dog occupied.
Agility Training
Golden retrievers enjoy learning and doing agility training. Its great exercise for them physically and also provides mental stimulation.
If you looking for something you can do at home in the back yard you can set up your own agility training course. You can purchase or make each section of the course and set them up in the back yard for your dog to burn off some energy.
Even on rainy days you could move some of the training courses inside and do a session with your dog.
If you are looking for a group or trainer to provide agility training depending on where you live you should be able to find either a group of trainers locally.
(Check Amazon’s Current Price)
Laser Pointer
If you are looking for an activity to do inside with your dog. Try getting a laser pointer to play with your dog at night.
This has turned into one of our favorite exercises to do inside. You simply point the laser at the wall and move it then turn it off and back on.
Sit back and watch the fun.
Best Rechargeable Laser Pointer
Tracking
Tracking is excellent mental stimulation for your Golden Retriever.
They will likely pick up on this game rather fast and enjoy it. We play this indoors, but this can be taken outdoor too, especially when your dog becomes good at finding the item you want to expand the distance.
You can use a scented dog toy or any object to hide and have them sniff it out. We often use a shirt or stuffed animal.
Let your dog sniff the item then have them stay while you hide it. When you return to them, use the “go find it” and encourage them to find it.
After a few rounds of this, your dog will know exactly what to do when you get back a release them to go find it
Playology All-Natural Scented Dual Layer Bone
(Check Amazon’s Price)
Dog Park
Sometimes the best way to get your dog some exercise it by letting them be a dog.
So head over to the dog park and let your pup play and make some doggy friends. Dogs usually will run and play with each other in a matter that comes naturally to them.
Your golden retriever will get good exercise when they have a playmate at the dog park.
Going to the dog park is also an excellent outing for socializing your dog. Find a local dog park or golden retriever meet up or start one in your local area.
Fetch
A good old game of fetch will never let you down on providing adequate exercise for your dog.
Head to the back yard with your dog and toss a stick for them. We also play fetch inside! Try the hallway for a quick game of fetch during the day.
Your dog will love the mini-sessions of playtime throughout the day.
Going for a walk
If nothing else seems like its a great fit going on a simple walk and letting your dog stretch their legs is an excellent exercise for them.
Especially with our older dogs, they might not be up for playing fetch and the higher energy games, but they still will need adequate exercise each day.
Get your dog a properly fitting collar or harness with and good leash for hitting the trail or pavement.
This is always great for their humans too so get some good walking shoes and go exercise with your dog.
Jumping
Jumping is another excellent way to get your dog to burn some energy after being stuck inside all day.
Have your dog sit and wait, walk away from them and hold out their favorite toy or a stick and say “come get it”.
Make sure you are holding it away from you out to the side at the right height for your dog’s capabilities. You can start low until your dog gets the hang of it.
Another way to encourage jumping is to buy some dog bacon flavor bubbles and blow them high in the air and watch your dog leap for them.
Conclusion
The goal of exercising your golden retriever is to make sure they are happy and healthy.
Exercising time should be an enjoyable play session and provides physical and mental stimulation for your golden retriever.
Remember a tired dog is a good dog.
If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise each day they may revert to becoming destructive in your home.
So may sure to get your dog out for some sort of exercise each day.
Recommended Articles:
Golden Retriever Ear Care & Infection Treatment
10 Tips To Keep Golden Retriever’s Teeth Clean
Most Recommended For Goldens:
Best Vacuum For Golden Retriever
Our Favorites: Robot Vacuum – Great for keeping up with the shedding!
Best Treats For Golden Retriever
Our Favorite Treats – Great for training. They are small and low calories.