Dog walking

I have two dogs and walk them when the weather cooperates and I log it when I am able to walk them.

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.

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

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.

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????

I log them - because we go running together rather than just walking.

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?

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.

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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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.