It's almost spring! Will you walk your dog?

atypicalsmith

My tiny neighborhood has nearly twelve dogs, but they all stay inside. I can hear them barking as I walk my dog. My dog LOVES going for a long walk! We haven't been able to walk in quite a while because of the terrible weather, but spring is a-coming! The entire walk through my neighborhood is one mile, or about 20 minutes (depending on my dog) and it's a joy for both of us. If you don't have a dog, offer to walk one of your neighbors' dog(s)! They will love you (both neighbor and dog).

Sued0nim

It's glorious and sunny here, I even had to slip my jacket off on my dog's 4.5 mile walk this morning (about an hour 15 mins out of my day)

I love spring the dog loves being off lead in the park, flapping ears as he runs at full pelt ...best feeling ever

And my fitbit gave me 367 calories for it ... Girls' night out!

knightreader

can't wait for the snow to melt, the temperatures to rise and the streets to be clear so i can walk my dog. i swear she smiles when i get the leash.

Rogstar

Haha, I never stopped walking him! If I did, our ears would be ringing non-stop! We were lucky here in southern WI, it was a very cold winter but most of the snow missed us. I think we only ended up with 30-40 inches of snow total in our area, way less than normal.

We have a collie, so I'm not concerned about the cold weather anyway. The only days he doesn't get walked at least 2-3miles are heavy snow or ice days. Or I make my husband take him out

Even during the winter it's important to get the dog some exercise, so sometimes I'll literally walk him around the house. We have a small loop that I can take him through the kitchen, dining room, and living room that is exactly 20 steps. I get quite dizzy, but after 400 loops, it works just as well.

atypicalsmith

When I get the leash out, I swear my dog jumps up and down three times his height (he's a dachshund).

Fuzzipeg

Where possible, especially the medium to large dogs should be walked at least once a day. If I had a dog I would have to walk it what ever the weather or time constraints. I realise it must be very difficult for those who become snowed in to do this, a real dog person would find some way of entertain and exercise their pet. If you don't like the wet don' get the pet.

atypicalsmith

Fuzzipeg wrote: »

Where possible, especially the medium to large dogs should be walked at least once a day. If I had a dog I would have to walk it what ever the weather or time constraints. I realise it must be very difficult for those who become snowed in to do this, a real dog person would find some way of entertain and exercise their pet. If you don't like the wet don' get the pet.

My doxie REFUSED to go out in the snow! I had to drag him with a leash underneath a tree where there was bare ground before he would FINALLY poop. Someone advised (too late, but I'll remember next time!) to cover the ground with a tarp, then pull it up, so that my dog would feel more comfortable.

BodyByButter

I was thinking about walking my cat but somehow I don't think that will involve much walking.

evileen99

Never stopped walking mine. She's a terrier, and if she doesn't get a good amount of exercise, she is a nightmare.

atypicalsmith

BodyByButter wrote: »

I was thinking about walking my cat but somehow I don't think that will involve much walking.

Hah! You never know until you've tried!

Rogstar

atypicalsmith wrote: »

My doxie REFUSED to go out in the snow! I had to drag him with a leash underneath a tree where there was bare ground before he would FINALLY poop. Someone advised (too late, but I'll remember next time!) to cover the ground with a tarp, then pull it up, so that my dog would feel more comfortable.

Just yesterday I saw someone carrying their dachshund over a patch of snow. It was one with really furry ears, not sure if it's a different type... but it looked like he had a conversation with the dog first. I imagined it included some choice words, or "are you freaking serious? I have to carry you across this?"

wizzybeth

I walk my dog now though I admit, not every day. That's cruel...I should walk her every day. But she goes out a couple days a week when it's not below zero. Even though she is a black lab she does not have a thick coat...she has a very thin coat, and she hates being cold... so when it's under 25 degrees or so I put a jacket on her. LOL.

I am anxious for spring - we'll probably walk morning and evening once the temps stay in the 30's and above.
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malibu927

As much as I can. The problem is, there's two of them, so my dad comes with me. He has COPD, and last summer when we walked them we couldn't do too much. But he just came home from two months in Florida where he walked one of the dogs every day. As soon as the past few weekends' snowfall melts away (today is actually the first day above 40 since 2/1), I think we're doing it.

atypicalsmith

I have a coat for my doxie as well, which he loves! But the snow? No way!

Francl27

I don't, because my dog is dog aggressive, and frankly I don't want to deal with it, considering we had to pay $800 of vet expenses once when he attacked another dog.

atypicalsmith

Francl27 wrote: »

I don't, because my dog is dog aggressive, and frankly I don't want to deal with it, considering we had to pay $800 of vet expenses once when he attacked another dog.

Ouch!! Is there not a secluded area nearby where you can walk him?

Lounmoun

I take my dog out every day multiple time. He just likes to go in circles around me or glue himself to one patch of ground though so we don't get too far.

LoupGarouTFTs

Until recently, we've had a pack of dog-aggressive wandering dogs in the neighborhood--not good for walking my toy-sized terriers, although I've taken my collie for walks. Now that the other dogs are gone and the warmer weather is coming, I'm going to try to walk my dogs more and put them in the yard less. Now maybe I won't have to fill in as many holes! LOL

Lizzy622

atypicalsmith wrote: »

When I get the leash out, I swear my dog jumps up and down three times his height (he's a dachshund).

My daughter's dog is a doxie terrier mix and jumps incredibly high. He also loves snow in short spurts. My husband laughed at me for snow blowing a potty spot for him in our yard but the snow was just too high for him. I can't wait til it warms up enough to take him out on long walks again. Right now he and the cat destroy the living room by chasing each other around in circles knocking down garbage cans and pillows

wizzybeth

Francl27 wrote: »

I don't, because my dog is dog aggressive, and frankly I don't want to deal with it, considering we had to pay $800 of vet expenses once when he attacked another dog.

Have you tried a training program for adult aggressive dogs (assuming there is one near you) ? That must be really hard - esp. since your dog does need to exercise.

I do appreciate your keeping your dog home however, for the protection of others. I was walking my 12 year old dog at a campground one summer and someone at one of the campsites had a huge muscular dog on a leash next to him as he was sitting in a chair. The dog took off after us, roaring and carrying on - and pulled the guy (who was no wimp by the looks of him) right out of his chair and across the ground. It took another person to stop the dog. That would have ended ugly. I remember wondering why they brought a dog like that to a campground knowing there would be other dogs.

WalkingAlong

Francl27 wrote: »

I don't, because my dog is dog aggressive, and frankly I don't want to deal with it, considering we had to pay $800 of vet expenses once when he attacked another dog.

Thanks for keeping him home! One of mine is a little aggressive so I walk with pepper spray to keep 'off leash' dogs away, if needed, or quickly break up a tussle, and I cross the street to avoid encounters with other leashed dogs. I can control her on any collar but a head collar is also a good tool if your dog is stronger than you and pulls away.

I have two big dogs that get walked daily, weather allowing, but they get exercise regardless. They have a big yard and do plenty of playing.

SwankyTomato

Francl27 wrote: »

I don't, because my dog is dog aggressive, and frankly I don't want to deal with it, considering we had to pay $800 of vet expenses once when he attacked another dog.

So is one of mine. It does suck.

We used a pinch collar and a muzzle at first. No longer need the muzzle now but we do continue use the pinch collar.

Oh and always use a leather leash for walking as you will have more control over your dog. I hate those flexi leashes that people use and allow their dog to run up on mine.

AmazonMayan

I have a german shepherd. He wants to walk even more when it's cold LOL. Even as the snow melts, he insists on walking on whatever snow is left. We do shorter more frequent walks for my comfort, but he still has to be walked no matter the temperature or he drives me nuts.

My other dog is short hair, boxer/am staff mix, so she would rather not be out in a lot of cold for very long even with a coat.

Our temps are warming into the high 50s low 60s this week and all snow is long gone...so until it gets way too hot, there will be lots of walking for both.

atypicalsmith

SwankyTomato wrote: »

So is one of mine. It does suck.

We used a pinch collar and a muzzle at first. No longer need the muzzle now but we do continue use the pinch collar.

Oh and always use a leather leash for walking as you will have more control over your dog. I hate those flexi leashes that people use and allow their dog to run up on mine.

I hate them too! Besides, they can easily break and then the dog is loose when it sees a squirrel or something else to chase. My doxie loves being on a leash; makes him feel safe.

fat2fitvegan

Yep we do 30-45 minutes at least once a day with shorter walks throughout the day (high energy dog means a lot of work for me). But I live in the southeast, so the bad weather for me is in the summer when it's prohibitively hot. We also like hiking at state parks or unpaved trails when the weather is nice.

atypicalsmith

Your dog is adorable, ridleyprime!

Carlos_421

My lab mix is my jogging buddy. As soon as it's warm enough for me to be able to stand it we'll be back on the pavement. Meanwhile, we're both going stir crazy.

serenity1097

Cannot wait for the snow & ice to melt here, love driving into town with my Boxer boy to take a nice long walk (we live on a busy highway so no walking straight from the house).

elphie754

I don't have a dog (wish I did but my schedule doesn't allow for one). I live in a city where a lot of people have small dogs and walk ups so they weewee pad train them. I always feel so bad for them . I am in and out of people's apts all day, and if I could, I'd walk all the poor dogs. In my building, a lot of people have big dogs and constantly walk them in the park, even in winter.

I'd walk my cats, but I know my one is a hunter. First bird she sees and that would be it lol.

LoupGarouTFTs

Don't feel bad for the small dogs who are paper trained. They wouldn't appreciate the cold weather, most likely. Not all dogs need to be walked, believe it or not. Most tiny dogs do fine just being allowed to wander inside their homes. As long as they get sunlight and interaction with their people, that's all they need.

callsitlikeiseeit

we live in way out in the country. my younger dog (just turned 1 thursday!) goes on walks with me whenever i go - anywhere from 3-5 times a week, and they are upwards of 2-3 mile walks). Shes a high energy 50 pound mutt. but she also runs free in the mornings and visits her doggie friends and plays with them. not everyone has that luxury, i know. (but boy does she love it!)

my 7 year old mini schnauzer loves walks, but HAS to stop for EVERYTHING. every blade of grass, mailbox, tree, whatever. so hes a pain to walk with. my girls take him out with them pretty often, though. in general hes pretty lazy though, and doesnt really like to be outside to begin with, unlike his younger 'sister' LOL