Hi everyone,
I have seen here lots of post of how much excercise huskies need but as my girl is now 8 I want her to enjoy her walks and get exercised and she just loves going on walks but I dont want to over do it.

Today I walked her for 45 minutes in the morning then later took her out again mid day for 30 minutes then late this afternoon I took her again for 40 minutes. Never did she hesitate not wanting to go when I said the magic word WALK.

Normally in general she gets two walks a day around 40 minutes each time.

The intensiity of our walks range from a fast pace moving walk to the occassional stop and sniff all the spots she can...

When we get home she seems fine. Wanders around the back yard


Should I change this should I cut back to less... I dont want to over do it...

Any advice would be great.. By the way we have been doing these sort of walks since we adopted her at 4 years of age..

She does have a little arthritis we were told in her front right leg so I a cautious of this, occasionally she had done a miss step thats when I worry...

regards Laura

Hey Laura.....I personally do not have a senior, however some here do, and from reading what they do I see no problem as long as she is enthusiastic and doesn't appear bothered. I know it is winter in your area so the 3 walks should be fine, perhaps when summer rolls back in you may want to limit to mornings and evenings, but that is the same for younger dogs. I would also limit my walks to grassy areas, if you don't already, easier on the bones and joints. And if you do any hiking I would take it easy, and do what she is comfortable with, we have a member Jennifer B who hikes and her girl is a little older than yours, and I do think she takes it a little easy on the rock climbing aspect of hiking with her girl and monitors how she is doing. Watch for signs that she is tired or overheated like we all do in general, and watch for lameness. I say enjoy your girl if she wants to just sniff the daisies fine, if she wants to jog some fine, go at her pace.

Here in Kansas it's hot. Our doctor says if they are panting heavily then we've overdone it. Maya our younger dog has more wear and tear on her as she was a rescue and got to roam free for a great deal of her life making her a little "older". She will outright lay down when she has no more to give. Aurora has also done the same.

I would say that if she is pulling and tugging (as they do) she is certainty fine. She probably could care less about any aches and pains. Walks are the husky's favorite past time, as you know, you should keep taking her because it's likely all she looks forward to in the day. You are a great husky parent if she is going twice a day. Just don't have her jumping up and down like we do Maya in the following video of her at the park:




Jumping up and down is the worst as your dog ages. Couches, beds, and cars are her worst enemy. Make the transitions easy

Hi Laura!

My pup was active up until the moment she died at 13, still sprinting around like a maniac. She did have arthritis, so some days she stiffened up, some days she was fine.

I would say the most important part about keeping senior dogs going, is keep them going. Exercise is so good for their joints and overall health. Many people cut back on exercise when their dogs reach a certain age, and the dogs decline rapidly because of it.

Your schedule sounds fine, as long as she isn't panting heavily, dragging behind or limping. My girl was always excited for a walk, but some days she just wasn't into it and would just not come when I got the leash (instead of doing the I'm-so-excited dance).

I would say several shorter walks (about 30 minutes) are better than one long walk, particular in the summer. That way she won't get over-tired halfway through.

A friend of mine has a very elderly husky (14) who is still pretty spry but overestimates his endurance. He'll be pulling and raring to go, then a mile in will flop down. She ended up getting a large dog stroller so she wouldn't have to carry him when that happens, and he loves it. He walks most of the way, then when he gets tired, he gets in, gets a drink, and enjoys the fresh air while she walks him back.

My current pup is only 4, but I'll definitely get her a stroller as she gets older I have this one saved on my wish list for that day.

My girl is between 7and 8 years old and we are still doing several miles a day as we have done since I got her 3 years ago. I am of the mind when you stop moving, you die. This is the same for humans and dogs. As long as she is willing stick to what she is conditioned for. If she is showing arthritis signs or signs of soreness look into fish oil. My girl has arthritis in her hips and back legs. She would stove up if she laid too long and limp hard. I implemented fish oil every day, with vitamin e every other day, and glucosamine and chondroitin every night. For the most part they will regulate their exercise as they age. A mile is just all my girl wants to run anymore so I let her. Just read the signs, but don't slow a dog down before her time. Age is just a number.

My last girl, Anuschka, was 10 when she passed away (epileptic seizure) and even on her final day, did the 5 mile walk in the evening just as she had every day of her life once she was old enough to make that kind of walk (in addition to the shorter walk in the morning) The husky I had growing up passed away at 17, and he was still doing his daily walks (about 3 miles) up until about two weeks before he passed away, if he had slowed down, I didn't notice it, lol, he was in amazing shape and was still even jumping on the bed! I also had a Malamute that lived to be 16, having grown up with the husky, he too was making the walks but had slowed down some at times, and his jumping on the bed days were over as he had a slipped disc in his spine when he was about 12 or 13...he used to climb in the bathtub on hot days to keep cool, haha, but I think he had hurt himself while getting out of it one day, tubs are pretty slippery. Anyways, like Jenn said, if the dog has been conditioned for it, as long as they are willing, I'd keep it up. if it gets to the point of, they are willing, but are struggling after a certain amount of time, you will see it, and can adjust her exercise accordingly, but I do firmly believe the more active they are into their advanced ages, the better it is for them in the long run.