Any tips on keeping an overweight Lab entertained?

Question

Yupp. This one's a doosey. I need her to get more active. I'm in Toronto and right now it's winter and I am conviened that there is no way to make her more energetic.

Answer 1

4 any pet 2 carry around X-Tra weight is unhealthy, but after a while they lay around when they get sore. I KNOW because I myself am about 40-50 lbs overweight & I get sore lugging it around, it just hurts 2 the point I get so tired I don't wanna do nothing & sit / lay around because it just hurts 2 carry it. It hurts my leg joints & 2 preserve them from damage I sit around & either ride my bike or walk as little as absolutely possible. When I'm lighter I don't hurt @ ALL & right now I struggle w/ regaining lost weight so now I'm eating mostly rice & its my ONLY meal which keeps me satisfied ALL day & nite.

Yer dog MAY very well B experiencing exactly what I am right now. The BEST thing is 2 put the dog on a strickt diet & soon he / she'll regain energy as the weight comes off. it's like dropping 2 20 lb turkeys; RELIEF!!

Answer 2

I have a 4 year old epileptic Springer Spaniel / Golden Retriever. He is on medication and it makes him kind of lazy. He loves to chase a flashlight beam from one end of the house to the other and it's keeping him active and fit. He barks a little as he chases it, but he loves it. Every morning he will sit by the shelf until I pull the flashlight down and play with him. He looks forward to the exercise every day. It's worth a try, even if it does get a little noisy some days.

Answer 3

It depends on how old she is and if her health is good. Exercise with her by going on walks or runs. If it is too cold outside take her to a mall or a pet mart where she will be welcomed. Don't reward her with food. Give her praise when she is walking or running. Act excited and dance around the house, play chase. Use balls or toys to catch. You can hide something she loves and teach her to find it. Exercise doesn't have to be moving fast, just moving. If all else fails, feed her food that is for overweight dogs. You can use green beans added to her food for weight control. Dogs love cooked green beans. Don't forget she will love having you on the floor with
her. Move with her. Good luck.

Answer 4

Thats an easy one. If it were spring id say put her on a high fat diet to get a higher energy level. But winter stinks. I suggest you cut back on her food slightly and give her some pettabs. These are a really good vitimin suppliment sold in all pet stores. They will help increase your dogs activity while not putting on weight.
Actually she will loose a little if you cut down the food slightly. I have 5 labs, breed and show in connnecticut. Its not easy keeping these dogs active and watching the weight.

Answer 5

Depending on her age, there might be a dog food that will give her more energy. If you give her treats, don't just hand it to her, toss it across the room so she has to fetch it. Or tie a chew bone on a string & pull it thru the house so she'll follow. Avoid letting her catch it till she's exercised a little & make sure she doesn't eat the string. (good exercise for the one pulling the string too!)

Answer 6

take her outside and throw a ball, a stick, a firsbee, or some type of toy----she is a retriever and she will chase/fetch anything.

also you could try feeding her a low fat, low calorie food as retrievers tend to put on weight, or just try feeding her less, and give her more water to drink

Answer 7

You can try things like tug and fetch, even simple indoor exercise is good for them.

Answer 8

take her outsyde and use healthy but good dog treats 2 teach her fun tricks.....it might work unlessur dog is high mantenance.....

Answer 9

let him run in the snow for a couple of hours