Dog walking

245

Replies

  • kballard66
    kballard66 Posts: 87
    I have two dogs and walk them when the weather cooperates and I log it when I am able to walk them.
  • pittbullgirl
    pittbullgirl Posts: 341 Member
    YES! Even if its just a quick 5 min run. If its intentional exercise, its logged :)
  • 1shauna1
    1shauna1 Posts: 993 Member
    I have two dogs, but I don't log my dog walking calories, even if we're out for an hour. I consider the dog walking time their time, and I usually let them just meander and sniff whatever they want. As well, lately has been so cold we're just going out to do business and coming in.
  • shaynepoole
    shaynepoole Posts: 493 Member
    I have 4 cocker spaniels :) I use runkeeper to track my walks and the dog expeditions definitely count
  • 1LoveChips
    1LoveChips Posts: 260 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!

    And my little JRT, slightly out of shot; my youngest BC, he's 3, we even run together and definately log those calories. He's a hell of a cardio partner.
  • ThriceBlessed
    ThriceBlessed Posts: 499 Member
    I have a lab/aussie mix named Spunky, who just looks like a white lab.

    I use a bodymedia armband that automatically keeps track of calories burned through exercise, so if I am moving enough for it to register as exercise on the armband, then it is automatically logged. My walks usually count as moderate exercise... though a few of my tougher hikes also gave me a few minutes of vigorous exercise.

    Right now my walking partner has a limp on his back leg, so it will be a short easy walk if we go at all.
  • patrickblo13
    patrickblo13 Posts: 831 Member
    For all of the people saying it is too cold...unless it is 0 degrees out it shouldn't be an excuse. It is a great way to get out in the winter months. As long as the dogs are running around they should be fine, just pay attention to them. Every weekend I have them out snowshoeing with me. I even took them out 2 weeks ago when it was -15 windchill. They didn't seem to mind at all. They were both panting when we got back to the car
  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
    While I do walk my dogs they are not great for exercise type walks,

    One is a bulldog and is potentially the only creature on earth that has less stamina than me. So I get about once around the block and I feel like I should have a wagon to carry her home.

    The other is a chihuahua - he could walk for hours but then we have to stop every 5 seconds for someone to ask "OMG how old issss heeeeee?"

    That said - I LOVE walking him at the beach :D
  • LH85DC
    LH85DC Posts: 231 Member
    I've worked my dog walks into my TDEE- it's been really easy, since I have a Fitbit. Our Siberian Husky is so high energy it's ridiculous. We average 4 miles a day, even with the cold weather we're having right now. He's loving the cold and snow sooooo much, it really cracks me up to see him jump around and roll in the snow while I'm just trying to keep up in my heavy snow boots.
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    I don't log dog walks, although I probably could. I have a german shepherd, alaskan malmute mix. That is one strong dog. I get a total body workout in with him.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    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!

    Just curious what's cold in Georgia????
  • Kollane
    Kollane Posts: 45 Member
    I have Belgian Malinois/Whippet mix and I log the calories from long walk. I do one short walk and then one longer, that ranges from 3 to 8km daily, depneding of how busy I am. It's quite often maked as "leisurely pace", just because I spend 20 minutes of the walk playing fetch or doing obedience and I never bother pausing Endomondo for that.
  • davidsonl13
    davidsonl13 Posts: 33
    I log them - because we go running together rather than just walking.
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    These are my dogs. The Saint Bernard is 2 and The Shepherd is 3. And yes, people cross the street when they see me coming.

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  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    For all of the people saying it is too cold...unless it is 0 degrees out it shouldn't be an excuse. It is a great way to get out in the winter months. As long as the dogs are running around they should be fine, just pay attention to them. Every weekend I have them out snowshoeing with me. I even took them out 2 weeks ago when it was -15 windchill. They didn't seem to mind at all. They were both panting when we got back to the car
    Yes I agree. I'm in MN and it's been below zero for weeks (it seems) with a few warmer days thrown in every so often. My dog doesn't seem to notice at all and as long as they are active and moving it's totally fine for them to be out. I bundle up and go!!! I saw the cold in Georgia post and am wondering how cold it gets there?
  • KezJB
    KezJB Posts: 33 Member
    I am so shocked by everyone saying its too cold! My boy would be bouncing off the walls, he is walked twice a day minimum, without exception, rain, wind, or shine!

    I guess it depends largely on the dog - I do have a large, working breed.

    Edited to say I'm in England so can only judge by English weather standards!
  • qtgonewild
    qtgonewild Posts: 1,930 Member
    i plan on walking my cat when she gets a little older. shes just a baby still. but being siamese/balinese i think she will be able to do it.
  • silverinc13
    silverinc13 Posts: 216 Member
    I walk mine twice a day, everyday. I don't log it as exercise since it's just part of my daily routine - and I eat on a TDEE method and don't care about "calories burned".
  • dbanks80
    dbanks80 Posts: 3,685 Member
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    My babies Mila (Samoyed) and Marley (Shih Tzu). I dont log the calories because I exercise daily. I just keep a mental note in my head that I burned more from dog walking.
  • KezJB
    KezJB Posts: 33 Member
    I have heard this before?
    My understanding is it is an average across the week?
    Are you able to explain more, am interested?
  • KezJB
    KezJB Posts: 33 Member
    I walk mine twice a day, everyday. I don't log it as exercise since it's just part of my daily routine - and I eat on a TDEE method and don't care about "calories burned".

    I have heard this before?
    My understanding is it is an average across the week?
    Are you able to explain more, am interested?
  • gimpygramma
    gimpygramma Posts: 383 Member
    We have the most spoiled dog on our block. She is a Boston terrier and she demands 7 walks a day. We live in the Pacific Northwest and can walk 365 days a year...the rain doesn't stop us. My husband and I fight for the privilege of escorting her and getting to claim the calories. DH tries for 3 miles a day. I average 6. I use a Fitbit since I found the exercise log at MFP didn't work too well in tracking a doggy pace. Definitely a walking machine with fur. The level of harassment when she thinks it is time for another perambulation is such that saying "no" is not an option.
  • sillyvalentine
    sillyvalentine Posts: 460 Member
    For all of the people saying it is too cold...unless it is 0 degrees out it shouldn't be an excuse. It is a great way to get out in the winter months. As long as the dogs are running around they should be fine, just pay attention to them. Every weekend I have them out snowshoeing with me. I even took them out 2 weeks ago when it was -15 windchill. They didn't seem to mind at all. They were both panting when we got back to the car
    Yes I agree. I'm in MN and it's been below zero for weeks (it seems) with a few warmer days thrown in every so often. My dog doesn't seem to notice at all and as long as they are active and moving it's totally fine for them to be out. I bundle up and go!!! I saw the cold in Georgia post and am wondering how cold it gets there?

    Zero degree?! That's t shirt and BBQ weather! LOL. It's usually around -20 - -30 here and we walk everyday twice a day.
  • thekeelbystamps
    thekeelbystamps Posts: 27 Member
    I have 4 cocker spaniels :) I use runkeeper to track my walks and the dog expeditions definitely count

    I have a cocker spaniel - 9 year old solid red and absolutely adorable and I log our walks - love to get out into the woods near home and have brisk walk - food for the soul !!
  • lawlorka
    lawlorka Posts: 484 Member
    My dog gets walked for at least 90mins EVERY DAY - regardless of the weather - hail, rain, wind, snow, sun - he gets walked. He is a Miniature Schnauzer, he's 1yr old and has a lot of energy to burn. If its lashing rain, he has a raincoat, if its really really cold he has a fleece under the raincoat - there really is no excuse for not walking your dog every single day (the odd day here and there, but that should be the exception) Normally he gets an hour with me first thing in the morning and then 90mins with my boyfriend at around lunchtime.

    In answer to the question, when I was the one doing the walking, yes I logged it but as I'm doing TDEE it was just part of my activity level. My boyfriend is doing the walking at the moment because I have Planter Fasciitis and my wellies don't give me enough support.

    I also take him to Agility training every week and that involves a lot of running around but I don't count that at all.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    For all of the people saying it is too cold...unless it is 0 degrees out it shouldn't be an excuse. It is a great way to get out in the winter months. As long as the dogs are running around they should be fine, just pay attention to them. Every weekend I have them out snowshoeing with me. I even took them out 2 weeks ago when it was -15 windchill. They didn't seem to mind at all. They were both panting when we got back to the car
    Yes I agree. I'm in MN and it's been below zero for weeks (it seems) with a few warmer days thrown in every so often. My dog doesn't seem to notice at all and as long as they are active and moving it's totally fine for them to be out. I bundle up and go!!! I saw the cold in Georgia post and am wondering how cold it gets there?

    Zero degree?! That's t shirt and BBQ weather! LOL. It's usually around -20 - -30 here and we walk everyday twice a day.

    Where do you live? I'm talking zero Fahrenheit. It's been below zero most of dec and jan, coldest I can remember. Can't say I see many people in t shirts.
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    We have the most spoiled dog on our block. She is a Boston terrier and she demands 7 walks a day. We live in the Pacific Northwest and can walk 365 days a year...the rain doesn't stop us. My husband and I fight for the privilege of escorting her and getting to claim the calories. DH tries for 3 miles a day. I average 6. I use a Fitbit since I found the exercise log at MFP didn't work too well in tracking a doggy pace. Definitely a walking machine with fur. The level of harassment when she thinks it is time for another perambulation is such that saying "no" is not an option.

    So your dog walks 9 miles a day?
  • LH85DC
    LH85DC Posts: 231 Member
    For all of the people saying it is too cold...unless it is 0 degrees out it shouldn't be an excuse. It is a great way to get out in the winter months. As long as the dogs are running around they should be fine, just pay attention to them. Every weekend I have them out snowshoeing with me. I even took them out 2 weeks ago when it was -15 windchill. They didn't seem to mind at all. They were both panting when we got back to the car
    Yes I agree. I'm in MN and it's been below zero for weeks (it seems) with a few warmer days thrown in every so often. My dog doesn't seem to notice at all and as long as they are active and moving it's totally fine for them to be out. I bundle up and go!!! I saw the cold in Georgia post and am wondering how cold it gets there?

    Agreed, Jazz would drive me crazy if he didn't get his walks. I do sometimes curtail his walks in the summertime- DC can get too hot and humid for a husky. Our summer strategy: walk early in the morning or after dark when possible, shorten walks if needed, and then take him for long walks at a park with a creek that he can splash around in to cool off. Keeps him (and us) happy. Wintertime doesn't usually slow us down at all- it's his favorite season!
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,711 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

    I do not count walking my dog twice a day as exercise, because I never really get my heart rate up, because she stops and sniffs things so often. I walk 45 minutes for myself and alone and count that as exercise . Sometimes is shows up in my log as " walking the dog " , because MFP has no other option for that speed, but I walk alone. I have lately been able to walk faster and the imaginary dog almost has disappeared..
    I consider walking my dog and some other activities ( like climbing up and down stairs; i live on the 4th floor, walking to the bus or subway and home) as an improvement in my lifestyle from a sedentary one and therefore log none of the activities.
  • antipanic
    antipanic Posts: 64
    <<====== YES! and when he lies down on the frozen hardpacked ice, and won't go another step, I pick him up and carry him home. That counts as "hiking, carrying a 40 lb load" in my book.

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