Gym Membership and Dog Ownership

alyssa0061

I've been very seriously considering joining a gym recently. Up to this point in my life the only gym I've ever been inside of is the one I was forced to occupy during high school phys ed classes. I can tell you for me personally there wasn't any actual activity going on during that time unless you count talking to my friends about our sweet weekend plans and moving from machine to machine (some were much more conducive to conversation than others).

I digress. My main consternation at this point isn't about actually joining the gym but about my dog. I live alone. I work a minimum of 50 hours a week. She spends a lot of time alone and I spend too much time worrying about leaving her alone. I try to appease the guilt by telling myself that she was an outside dog before I adopted her and she didn't have much human interaction at all. She's happy, she's healthy and she gets nightly walks in addition to the two to three trips to the dog park every week. When I am not working, she's my focus.

I'm having a difficult time rationalizing joining a gym when I know she's home waiting for me. I have a perfectly good house that I can work out in. And I clearly have a great partner for many activities like walks, fetch and running (should I every consider such a thing).

I'm interested in hearing others' experiences. How do you schedule your gym time around your canine responsibilities? Are there other ways to incorporate my dog into activities? Should I just start by attempting to bench press her and forgo the weights? (kidding, she's way too heavy.)

positivepowers

I have 5 dogs and 5 very needy cats. I use the gym after work then the rest of the evening belongs to them along with about 1 1/2 hours in Saturday and Sunday. I rationalize it like this: if I don't care for myself, who will care for them?

soccerkon26

I go to the gym at 5am before work while my dog is sleeping. Then I throw the ball for her or take her in a walk when I get home. The weekends I don't go to the gym, that's my dog's time!

lshelto17

I run / walk the dog in the mornings at least two miles and a quick walk in the afternoon and then gym on the weekends! My gym is fairly cheap so even if I use it once I week I feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

jemhh

We always have multiple dogs (3-4) so they keep each other company. It's a choice we specifically made before getting a dog 12 years ago.

alyssa0061

lshelto17 wrote: »

I run / walk the dog in the mornings at least two miles and a quick walk in the afternoon and then gym on the weekends! My gym is fairly cheap so even if I use it once I week I feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

That's what I was thinking. I wouldn't feel bad about paying for a cheap membership and only going once or twice a week. I'd still be going but it would be negligible time away from home after work

alyssa0061

jemhh wrote: »

We always have multiple dogs (3-4) so they keep each other company. It's a choice we specifically made before getting a dog 12 years ago.

I've considered a second dog as well. I like the idea of her having someone all the time

jemhh

alyssa0061 wrote: »

jemhh wrote: »

We always have multiple dogs (3-4) so they keep each other company. It's a choice we specifically made before getting a dog 12 years ago.

I've considered a second dog as well. I like the idea of her having someone all the time

It's somewhat dependent on breed but 2 isn't really more work than 1. I'd say that adding a third is when you notice an increase in work as far as pet care. (And then adding a fourth is super easy for some reason. Not that you're going to jump from one to four right now!) We have greyhounds, which are kind of like giant cats, so not too in your face or needy.

GolfingDad5

I have two dogs that I spend a great deal of time with including them in my workouts but I still make time to get my hour at the gym in.

middlehaitch

Do any of your parks have those park/outdoor gyms. You could do walk and workout at the same time.

Cheers, h

bioklutz

I work out at home. Sometimes one of my dogs stretches with me! The other one watches me. I think he is judging me...

LKArgh

To be honest, I would be more comfortable living a dog alone for long hours outside (assuming the outside is a large enough area that provides both shelter and things to keep the dog occupied) than leaving a dog for very long hours alone indoors. I would try to go to the gym on weekends and take the dog for long walks or runs after work.

Nimblestyx

I'm in a similar situation as you. I still get my workouts in and he still gets a daily 1-2 mile walk and gets to sleep with me on the bed. If you don't put yourself first in certain situations who's going to take care of her? In short, don't feel guilty. Maybe get her a friend or if its in the budget a trip to a doggy day camp every once in a while. Momma deserves so "me time" too.

AmandaDanceMore

I walk my dogs a ton. It is a big source of my activity. We typically start our days with a 2+ mile walk, and then what walking I can get in around my work schedule. But I also am a ballroom dancer, so while I'm not at the gym a lot of nights, I do go and dance a lot. Sometimes they go with me and either sleep in the car (when it is cool enough) or will even come into the studio. Otherwise, they get some busy treats and a walk and a snuggle when I get home. They survive.

jdhcm2006

I don't think your dog will notice if you come home an hour later than usual. Plus, you have to take care of yourself in order to be able to take care of your dog. But this is the main reason why I got a cat instead of a dog b/c normally cats are more independent than dogs. There are some days where I'm gone for over 12 hours and I couldn't imagine the state that my apartment would be in if I left a dog alone for that long.

Alidecker

I am gone from my pup from 7:15 AM until 6:30 or 7PM. As soon as I get home we go for a good walk, then we play fetch and tug-o-war in the evenings and whatever else. If I have plans in the evening on a work day, my neighbor takes him out and usually keeps him at her house for a couple hours and hangs out with him. I totally understand the feeling guilty part, finding a neighbor for those nights has helped me. Working out has given me even more desire to walk him further and play with him more. Win -win

Rachel0778

It sounds like you are meeting your dog's social, physical, and emotional needs and that you are a very conscientious pet parent. It's important to meet your physical needs too! Will you feel guilty sometimes when you leave the dog for an hour at the gym? I know I do! But I still have to go and take care of myself. It makes me a much better, fitter pet parent in the long run.

Kitship

I think about this too, and this thread makes me feel better! It's true - if we don't take care of ourselves, how will we take care of our furry children?

2011rocket3touring

I'm siding with your concerns.
Your walking the dog and that's exercise.
If your wanting some other type of exercise there are videos available on YouTube and other places you can do at home.
BTW your f'in awesome in my book for caring so much about your pup.
You rock!!

TarahByte

I'm the same way. I don't go to a gym because of my two. Then again, I'm their b*tch. I got a foldable bench and the adjustable Bowflex dumbbells and just do what I can with them. I get a dog kiss every time I do a sit-up. Also, I just hate people and would much rather do what I can at home.

As one user stated, two dogs aren't much different than one, in most cases. My 2nd one is a heathen and way stronger than I am so now I have to take them on separate walks. He's a husky/pit rescue and sweet as anything but SO much energy! Benadryl is a recreational drug at our house. Not every day! Not even every week! But sometimes...

Also, I've done dog squats with my boxer. Don't knock it! :-)

wizzybeth

jdhcm2006 wrote: »

I don't think your dog will notice if you come home an hour later than usual.

EXACTLY = a dog is very unlike a spouse or human significant other, who may get jealous of the time you spend at the gym instead of cuddling. A dog is just SO HAPPY to see you back home whether you've been gone an hour or five.

Just make sure your gym activities do not infringe upon your time to walk & play with Rover and it should be fine!

Ready2Rock206

I was thinking the other day they should have a doggie daycare at the gym like the one they have for kids. All our pups could get together and have some fun while we workout!

Kimo159

Ready2Rock206 wrote: »

I was thinking the other day they should have a doggie daycare at the gym like the one they have for kids. All our pups could get together and have some fun while we workout!

That would be amazing!

alyssa0061

Thank you so much to everyone. I really appreciate the replies. It is very nice to hear others in a similar situation and how it can be overcome. I take having a dog very seriously and I'm happy to see so many others who do as well.

I got some very good news at work today that I will be going from 50 hours a week to 45 beginning the first full week of June. Since I'm already gone those five extra hours a week now I won't have to feel as guilty about using them to go to the gym. I think I'll be joining soon!

fattothinmum

Alidecker wrote: »

I am gone from my pup from 7:15 AM until 6:30 or 7PM. As soon as I get home we go for a good walk, then we play fetch and tug-o-war in the evenings and whatever else. If I have plans in the evening on a work day, my neighbor takes him out and usually keeps him at her house for a couple hours and hangs out with him. I totally understand the feeling guilty part, finding a neighbor for those nights has helped me. Working out has given me even more desire to walk him further and play with him more. Win -win

I might be missing something, but what do dogs at home do when they need the loo for such a long time? Just suffer, or is there some kind of potty for doggies I don't know about yet.

harowlands

I'm quite lucky as my mum has dogs too and so when she's out I check in on her dogs and when I'm out she checks in on mine! That way they have loads of company, they're rarely on their own and get lots of doggy play dates!
But a friend of mine hires a local dog walker to take her dogs out during the day and it's not too expensive!
Good on you for making your dogs wellfare a top priority!

Alidecker

fattothinmum wrote: »

Alidecker wrote: »

I am gone from my pup from 7:15 AM until 6:30 or 7PM. As soon as I get home we go for a good walk, then we play fetch and tug-o-war in the evenings and whatever else. If I have plans in the evening on a work day, my neighbor takes him out and usually keeps him at her house for a couple hours and hangs out with him. I totally understand the feeling guilty part, finding a neighbor for those nights has helped me. Working out has given me even more desire to walk him further and play with him more. Win -win

I might be missing something, but what do dogs at home do when they need the loo for such a long time? Just suffer, or is there some kind of potty for doggies I don't know about yet.

He doesn't seem to be suffering, and he doesn't go on the floor. When I get home and we go outside he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to go. I wish he could talk sometimes so I would know these things.

AmandaDanceMore

fattothinmum wrote: »

Alidecker wrote: »

I am gone from my pup from 7:15 AM until 6:30 or 7PM. As soon as I get home we go for a good walk, then we play fetch and tug-o-war in the evenings and whatever else. If I have plans in the evening on a work day, my neighbor takes him out and usually keeps him at her house for a couple hours and hangs out with him. I totally understand the feeling guilty part, finding a neighbor for those nights has helped me. Working out has given me even more desire to walk him further and play with him more. Win -win

I might be missing something, but what do dogs at home do when they need the loo for such a long time? Just suffer, or is there some kind of potty for doggies I don't know about yet.

My big dog will willfully refuse to go out if she finds the weather distasteful. I have seen her hold it without even batting an eye for 18+ hours (not my choice, mind you, but if your dog refuses to leave the stoop or immediately returns to it if you shove her out in the rain or snow, there's not much you can do!). We had a blizzard this winter, and it took many, many hours before she decided she was desperate enough to get her butt out in the spots I dug out for her, despite my cajoling. The little dog seems to have the same iron will/bladder.

If I'm gone much more than 10 hours, I have a dog walker come or ask my land lady to let them out. That being said, on the rare occasion something happens and I get home later than anticipated, neither one is knocking me down to get out the door to pee. I think their needs are different than ours. My biggest concern, particularly for the young dog, is that they get plenty of exercise when I'm home with them. Keeps them out of trouble!

alyssa0061

fattothinmum wrote: »

Alidecker wrote: »

I am gone from my pup from 7:15 AM until 6:30 or 7PM. As soon as I get home we go for a good walk, then we play fetch and tug-o-war in the evenings and whatever else. If I have plans in the evening on a work day, my neighbor takes him out and usually keeps him at her house for a couple hours and hangs out with him. I totally understand the feeling guilty part, finding a neighbor for those nights has helped me. Working out has given me even more desire to walk him further and play with him more. Win -win

I might be missing something, but what do dogs at home do when they need the loo for such a long time? Just suffer, or is there some kind of potty for doggies I don't know about yet.

Like the two posts above say, dogs are different than humans in that (and many) regard. I'm gone for 11 hours on week days. When I get home it takes about a half an hour before my dog will even go outside. Then it's another half hour to hour before she goes to the bathroom. And she's exactly the same as the above poster's dog in inclement weather. She won't go in the rain, ever.

wizzybeth

AmandaDanceMore wrote: »

My big dog will willfully refuse to go out if she finds the weather distasteful.

My Trixie will NOT go out if it is raining more than a drizzle. And go figure, she's a labrador retriever. She will go and plunge in muddy swamps, but heaven forbid if I try to make her go outside to pee in the rain. She will back up away from the door and bark RUDELY at me if I try to make her go out. LOL

wizzybeth

We got caught out in the rain during our recent hike. You can see how thrilled she is.