Labradoodles are a cross between two high-energy breeds: Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. They tend to remain active most of the day, so it can be quite concerning if they suddenly start being lazy for no apparent reason.
So, why is your Labradoodle so lazy? Your Labradoodle is so lazy for many reasons. The main reason is that they are not eating enough food to maintain their energy levels. Other causes include over-exercising, feeling bored, too hot or cold, being sick or in pain, and old age.
You need to determine the reason to help your dog become energetic again.
Keep reading to learn more about the main reasons why Labradoodles start being lazy and when to be concerned about it.
Are Labradoodles Energetic?
Labradoodles are highly energetic. In fact, they’re bred to be very active as they’re a cross between two of the most energetic dog breeds, which are Labrador Retrievers and Poodles.
As puppies, they will have extremely high energy levels and will remain active most of the day. However, as they grow older, they will start to become relatively less active.
The dog’s energy levels and its tendency to be active will vary depending on its health and age, but generally, all dogs need to be exercised regularly in order to have a healthy outlet for their energy.
Can Labradoodles Be Lazy?
Labradoodles can be lazy; however, it’s not really natural for them to be lazy, so it’s concerning as an owner to see them being less active than they normally are.
You can quickly tell when your dog is lazy as it will sleep more often than normal (over 20 hours a day). It will even fall asleep during playtimes or mealtimes.
It also won’t be able to keep up with its regular exercise routine and won’t move around or play as it usually does
7 Reasons Why Your Labradoodle Is Lazy
If you notice that your Labradoodle is lazy or less active than usual, you need to determine the reason behind it to ensure that it’s healthy and help it become active again.
So, let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why your Labradoodle is lazy:
Having a Poor Diet
Labradoodles need to eat enough calories for their age and size to be able to maintain normal energy levels. Their diet also needs to contain all the nutrients their bodies need to grow and remain healthy.
So, if your Labradoodle has a poor diet or isn’t eating enough, it will have lower energy levels, and it will be lazy more often.
Over-exercising
Labradoodles need to be exercised regularly to release their high energy in a healthy manner. However, there’s a limit to how much exercise they can do in a day.
If you over-exercise your dog, it will start to have trouble staying active for long, and it will be lazy most of the time. You’ll also be putting it at risk of muscle strains and other severe injuries.
So, you need to monitor your dog throughout the exercise session to make sure it’s not getting too tired and to give it breaks when needed.
Signs that your dog is over-exercised or tired include feeling disoriented, failing to follow commands, excessive drooling and panting, trouble walking or standing, extreme thirst, and frequent trembling due to muscle tremors.
Feeling Bored or Depressed
Labradoodle need to be given enough attention and stimulation; otherwise, they will start to feel bored or depressed.
When dogs feel bored or depressed, they will tend to act out or become hyper in an effort to get their owners to pay more attention to them or to seek any kind of stimulation.
However, in some cases, they might do the opposite and become withdrawn instead. They will be lazier and avoid interacting with their owners most of the time.
Feeling Too Hot
Labradoodles cannot tolerate extremely hot temperatures, especially if they have thick curly coats.
If your dog is feeling too hot, it will have lower energy levels, and it will be a lot lazier than normal.
Other signs that your dog is feeling too hot include loud whining, excessive panting and drooling, drinking large amounts of water, sticking to cool areas, and acting dizzy and disoriented.
It’s important to help your dog cool down immediately when it starts feeling too hot; otherwise, it will be at risk of overheating, dehydration, and other severe health problems.
For a complete guide on how to help your dog handle the hot weather better, check out my article on how to help your Golden Retriever handle the hot weather better here.
Feeling Too Cold
Labradoodles also cannot tolerate extremely cold temperatures, especially if they have thin straight coats.
If your dog feels too cold, it will not be as active as it normally is. Other signs that your dog is feeling cold include excessive shivering and trembling, loud whining, sticking to warm areas, refusing to go outdoors, and constantly lifting its paws off the ground.
It’s important to warm your dog immediately when it starts feeling too cold. Otherwise, it will be at risk of various health problems such as the flu, frostbites, and hypothermia.
Being Sick or In Pain
Labradoodles might become sick with a disease or an infection that will affect their energy levels and appetites, causing them to be lazier than normal until they’re fully recovered.
Some of the diseases that could lead to dogs having low energy levels and losing their appetites include the flu, hypothyroidism, parvovirus, heartworm disease, diabetes mellitus, and anemia.
They might also be in pain due to being injured or sick, which will make it very difficult for them to move and remain active.
It’s important to monitor your dog’s health and be on the lookout for any symptoms of sickness in order to get the right treatment on time.
Old Age
Labradoodles are the most active when they’re still puppies. As they grow older, their energy levels will gradually decrease, and they will become lazier.
This is perfectly normal as the dog’s body will grow weaker with old age, and it will be more susceptible to developing various health problems that would affect its energy levels.
When to Seek Professional Help About Your Lazy Labradoodle?
As mentioned before, Labradoodles are not naturally lazy, and it can be concerning to see them being less energetic than normal as it could be a result of underlying health problems.
So, you need to monitor your dog’s behavior and health to ensure that it has no problems that would cause it to be lazy.
If your dog suddenly starts being lazy and you can’t identify the reason behind it or get your dog to become active again, then it’s highly recommended that you seek professional help.
It would be best if you took your dog to a vet to figure out why it’s being lazy so you can get the right treatment to help your dog become its normal energetic self.
How Help Your Labradoodle Stay Active?
There are various measures you can take to help your Labradoodle stay active. So, let’s take a closer look at these measures:
Establish A Good Exercise Routine for Your Dog
You need to establish a good exercise routine for your dog to keep it active and help it release its energy in a healthy manner; otherwise, it will be at risk of developing various health and behavioral problems.
On average, Labradoodles need about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise in a day, depending on factors like their age, size, and energy levels.
Some of the best physical activities to include in your dog’s daily exercise routine include going on walks, climbing stairs, and playing fetch or any other game that involves a lot of movement.
However, you need to be careful not to over-exercise your dog or push it past its limit, as this can have a reverse effect on your dog and put it at risk of becoming seriously injured.
Make sure to monitor your dog throughout the exercise session and if you notice any sign that it’s getting tired, give it a little break to rest before you continue exercising.
Improve Your Dog’s Diet
It would help if you improved your Labradoodle’s diet to ensure that it contains enough calories and nutrients for its age and size so that the dog will remain healthy and maintain its energy levels throughout the day.
On average, Labradoodles need to consume approximately 1070 calories in a day, divided into two main meals and small snacks and treats in between.
Try to add healthy nutrients to your dog’s meals, such as proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, and avoid any canned foods as they contain too many preservatives and byproducts.
Spend More Time with Your Dog to Keep It Stimulated
Make sure to spend more time with your Labradoodle to give it the attention it needs and keep it stimulated. This will help prevent your dog from feeling too bored or depressed.
When you’re spending time with your dog, you can teach it a new trick, practice some commands, or play a fun game. You can also keep your dog stimulated without having to spend time with it by giving it some puzzle toys to keep it occupied.
Related Questions
Which Dog Breeds Are Considered to Be Naturally Lazy?
The dog breeds that are considered to be naturally lazy include Pugs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Chow Chows, Boston Terriers, Basset Hound, Bulldog, Tibetan Spaniel, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. These dogs have low energy levels; however, they still need to be exercised regularly to keep them active and in good shape.
Can Labradoodles Develop Separation Anxiety?
Labradoodles can develop separation anxiety if they are left alone for extended periods of time. They tend to form strong bonds with their owners, so they won’t tolerate being apart from them for too long. This will cause to develop some destructive behaviors such as chewing on furniture or scratching at the floor.
How to Tell That Your Labradoodle is Aggressive?
You can tell that your Labradoodle is aggressive by observing the dog’s body language in certain situations and looking out for the following signs: barking and growling loudly, baring its teeth, pulling back its ears until they’re flat against their heads, and raising its tail in a rigid upright position while wagging it rapidly.
Helpful Resources
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
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