Dog walking

Who here has dogs? Do you log your "dog walking" calories burnt? I love the fact that I can do something I really enjoy (apart from lately, when it's rained and rained and rained), and it's good for me too.

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Replies

  • I logged my dog walking, when I was able to walk him. We currently are at -15 degrees (F), so it's been too cold to walk Baxter. Once it warms up, we will get back to our daily walks and I will log them.
  • nathalier71
    nathalier71 Posts: 570 Member
    I have a greyhound - it's too cold to walk her right now -it's -36C with windchill - and yes, I do count those - I use runkeeper everytime I walk or run.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Who here has dogs? Do you log your "dog walking" calories burnt? I love the fact that I can do something I really enjoy (apart from lately, when it's rained and rained and rained), and it's good for me too.

    Got a heeler mix here, she's great. However no, I don't log those calories, they're just part of my daily activity level.
  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    When it's not too cold to get out there and walk him yes. I live in a very hilly area and our walks are far from strolls. We typically walk him at a 4-4.3 mph pace for about 3-4 miles. I've worn my HRM on some of my walks and my heart rate gets up there, especially on the hills.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    We have a big fenced-in yard so mostly we just throw the ball or frisbee in the yard with the pooch. I will usually take her for a long walk or to the dog park to run around with other dogs on the weekends if the weather cooperates. We're in Texas so it's not too bad. :)
  • cleback
    cleback Posts: 261 Member
    My husband and I are getting a dog this spring. Can't wait! We already have a cat, but you know, you can't walk a cat. :)
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    My husband and I are getting a dog this spring. Can't wait! We already have a cat, but you know, you can't walk a cat. :)

    I walk my cat with a harness and a leash.
  • Kenazwa
    Kenazwa Posts: 278 Member
    I love walking my dog, but I don't think I get much of a calorie burn. She's far more interested in sniffing everything than she is in actually walking. We probably move at the rate of maybe 2 miles an hour, even with me coaxing her along.
  • KezJB
    KezJB Posts: 33 Member
    I do, he's a malamaute x gsd so plenty of exercise for him.
    Love that between the dog and the horse I usually get a minimum of 2 hours exercise a day and I don't even really think about doing it. That's before I've ridden or taken the pooch for a run instead :)
  • patrickblo13
    patrickblo13 Posts: 831 Member
    <----my 2 dogs Sully (hound mix) and Teagan (Black lab)

    I only log when I take them hiking or snowshoeing with me which is usually 1 or 2 times a week. If I take them for a walk in the neighborhood then no.

    It is a great advantage of having dogs. You always have someone willing to go with you!!!
  • josavage
    josavage Posts: 472 Member
    I have a regular 30 minute route that I do with my dogs and I don't log that one - I just consider it normal activity. When I do a longer walk, I do log it. I also run with my dogs and I log the runs.

    Edited to add that your dogs are beautiful!
  • Marymoe138
    Marymoe138 Posts: 68 Member
    I have a 4 year old pitbull. I definitely log all of my calories burned with him. We walk between a mixture of hills, flat roads and trails. We go out on walks an average of 4 times a day at an average of 70 minutes per walk. I definitely get a great workout!
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Two Border collies and two Belgian shepherds here. I take them hiking, except for my 14 yr old BC at least once a week weather permitting so I log those calories. And I run with my Belgian Terverun so I log those calories too. They keep me motivated!
  • sarainiowa
    sarainiowa Posts: 287 Member
    I have two "fur kids" (aka dogs). When walking them I do consider it for exercise, as we get to a pace and go. Love being able to spend time with them and do something great for myself too.
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  • I have two dogs--one is a Shetland Sheepdog/Miniature Pinscher (Sheltie Pin) cross and the other is a Havanese. They have completely different walking styles. The Sheltie Pin is quick and high energy, and the we maintain a fairly fast walking pace together. The Havanese is a "gotta' stop and sniff the roses" kind of girl and our walks are much more leisurely. I log in my minutes walking the Sheltie Pin, but not with the Havanese. Luckily, I live in an area of Oregon that gets rain, but not often snow, and it never really gets too cold to be able to go out dog walking!
  • lebbyloses
    lebbyloses Posts: 133 Member
    I log our long, brisk walks. I don't log just going around the block or our regular half-mile ambles where he sniffs things, etc. a certain amount of walking is just a normal daily activity. But when I walk my dog to really exercise him (and me), then yes, I count it. It's good for both of us, because it encourages me to take him farther in the mornings.
  • seliinac
    seliinac Posts: 336 Member
    My husband and I are getting a dog this spring. Can't wait! We already have a cat, but you know, you can't walk a cat. :)

    My cat often follows along when I take my dog for a walk.

    And I am still walking my dog 3X a day even with the cold weather we're having. This morning was -37C with the windchill factored in. She doesn't mind it.
  • lessofme43
    lessofme43 Posts: 139 Member
    Definitely! When the weather permitted, I walked my westie 2 - 2.5 miles a few times a week - it was MY primary source of exercise, and it didn't matter to him if we walked 2 mph or 4 (which was my preference for calorie burn & cardio). I credit having such an enthusiastic walking partner for getting me to love it ;) Now, we are stuck indoors since our snowy, country roads and brutal temperatures are just too unpleasant :( I'll be glad when I can get off the elliptical (and so will he) once Spring is on it's way!
  • RUNNING_AMOK_1958
    RUNNING_AMOK_1958 Posts: 268 Member
    My husband and I are getting a dog this spring. Can't wait! We already have a cat, but you know, you can't walk a cat. :)

    I had a cat that would follow me on a walk without a leash. To address the original question, yes, I do log dog walking cals using my hrm because we usually go a couple of miles or so. (Wiener dog). I believe it is somewhere in MFP, though. Search walking dog in exercise.
  • mooglysmom
    mooglysmom Posts: 319 Member
    Yes - when the weather cooperates. Right now, its just too cold out there for her (and me!). I log when I walk or run her. I feel bad right now that its so darn cold, as she really wants to go for a run. It will warm up soon enough and we'll be back out hitting the pavement.
  • seliinac
    seliinac Posts: 336 Member
    My husband and I are getting a dog this spring. Can't wait! We already have a cat, but you know, you can't walk a cat. :)

    My cat often follows along when I take my dog for a walk.

    And I am still walking my dog 3X a day even with the cold weather we're having. This morning was -37C with the windchill factored in. She doesn't mind it.

    I was logging it until I got a FitBit. Now if I exceed a certain calorie burn per day the extra calories burned are added automatically. Other than some biking, and weight lifting it is my main source of exercise.
  • arrseegee
    arrseegee Posts: 575 Member
    I have a pug who really likes to stop and sniff everything. He is slow as old hell when we go out for walks, so if I log anything it is usually less than one third of the total 'walk' duration
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    I have a 4 year old pitbull. I definitely log all of my calories burned with him. We walk between a mixture of hills, flat roads and trails. We go out on walks an average of 4 times a day at an average of 70 minutes per walk. I definitely get a great workout!

    Wow so you walk over 4 hours a day? Where do you find the time?
  • I have a really pretty white/grey brindle pit bull named Chyna. She's still a puppy at 57lbs and not so fun to walk because she pulls. I'd love to walk her more just to get her trained at it but between the rain and the cold weather here in Georgia, it hasn't been possible. I think that once she gets the hang of it, she'll be my outside workout partner!
  • echofm1
    echofm1 Posts: 471 Member
    I'm in the same boat with everyone else in that it's too cold to go for an actual walk (More for me than my dog! He loves winter). Right now I just play fetch with him and wander around the apartment yard, which I don't count. In the summer though I go to an off-leash dog park with hiking trails, and I log that. It's always great for both of us! I can't wait until it warms up so I can hike the trails with my HRM on.
  • BamaBreezeNSaltAire
    BamaBreezeNSaltAire Posts: 966 Member
    Who here has dogs? Do you log your "dog walking" calories burnt? I love the fact that I can do something I really enjoy (apart from lately, when it's rained and rained and rained), and it's good for me too.

    1530492_10151779040210213_1911677213_n.jpg

    If those are your Border Collies, then yes by all means log those walks. I know all too well what those walks entail! I have two of them!
  • GingerLolita
    GingerLolita Posts: 738 Member
    I just want to say that your dogs are adorable.
  • RivenV
    RivenV Posts: 1,667 Member
    Who here has dogs? Do you log your "dog walking" calories burnt? I love the fact that I can do something I really enjoy (apart from lately, when it's rained and rained and rained), and it's good for me too.

    Got a heeler mix here, she's great. However no, I don't log those calories, they're just part of my daily activity level.

    I also have a heeler mix, and she loves to walk/jog/run. I just listen to what my fitbit says about how many calories I burn, etc. and use the TDEE method to determine how much food I should eat. Easy.
  • BAFilek
    BAFilek Posts: 139 Member
    Only when we run, which is most weekends assuming the temperature is above 0 F!