Dogs "sabotaging" weight loss.

cbelc2 wrote: »

There are special walking harnesses that prevent pulling.

I think somebody as overreacting by saying 77F can cause heat problems. Maybe, if your dog is drastically overweight or is used to much colder temperatures, or has a coat for much colder temperatures (husky). I'm in Florida, its frequently over 77F, and often with alot of humidity. The Golden Retriever and the Aussie get shaved. 77 is like a normal, comfortable temperature. Even in the heat of summer (90's and so humid you can see fish swimming through the air), they get walks, either early morning or late evening. There's light until 8pm at least in the summer. A half hour walk and then straight in to AC and fresh water, a box fan doesn't hurt for a faster cool down. But the point being a half hour walk is VERY important for the mental stability for some dogs. My husky mix is also a Belgian Malinois mix. Both high energy and need stimulation beyond runs around the yard. All the fetching and whatnot means nothing to the dogs like a half hour walk does.

"As Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer says, "To your dog, your backyard is like a large fish bowl in which they are trapped. Fish swim, birds fly and dogs walk. Having a dog should not be about only fulfilling our human needs, we owe it to our dogs, to give them what THEY instinctually need."

While this might seem like a daunting daily task, the good news is walking is mentally good for humans, too.

For a dog to be mentally stable, you as an owner must take your dog for daily walks to release mental and physical energy. The proper way to walk a dog is the dog walking either beside you, or behind you, and never in front of you. This may seem petty in a human's mind, however it means a lot in a dog’s mind. When a human allows a dog to walk in front, they are sending signals to the dog that he is leading the human. Instinct tells a dog that the leader goes first. A lack of exercise allows the buildup of the mental energy which would otherwise be released in a proper walk, and permitting a dog to be pack leader can cause many behavioral problems in a dog—such as, but not limited to, hyper-activity, neurotic and/or obsessive-compulsive behaviors—all of which are signs of a dog that is not mentally stable."

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/dogwalk.htm

successgal1 wrote: »

"As Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer says, "To your dog, your backyard is like a large fish bowl in which they are trapped. Fish swim, birds fly and dogs walk. Having a dog should not be about only fulfilling our human needs, we owe it to our dogs, to give them what THEY instinctually need."

While this might seem like a daunting daily task, the good news is walking is mentally good for humans, too.

I wondered if anyone was going to bring up Cesar.

I'm not a dog owner, but I'm surprised that OP is so defensive and sensitive about people inquiring why her dogs are walked infrequently. She apparently views inquiring as "bashing." ??

Aw I love dogs so much! I have three and they make everything more fun!

You can add me to the list of "irresponsible pet owners" who don't walk their dog frequently enough. Spring, summer and fall I walk him every morning and evening. We go hiking, to the park, to creeks to take him swimming, and on group dog walks with the rescue we got him from. In the winter? Heck no! I don't go outside when it's cold out. So except for the odd warm day, and the week after my daughter bought him a Chewbacca hoodie and wanted to show it off, he's hanging out in the house and yard. Sorry not sorry. If you asked him if he'd prefer to go back to the dumpster he was found in, the shelter he was in after that, or stay with a family who doesn't walk him when he's cold, I'm sure he'd stay with us.


Oh hi.

My dog makes me fat because he's the devil. See?

KittyHeaven74 wrote: »

Heh, try having cats. ;-) Talk about brats! But of course, they think they're helping ...

Cats are always helping! Mine insists upon getting her treat as soon as I walk in the door (obviously so that I'll have more time to think about my own dinner and make the right choices). She also knows petting her while I'm planking is a good stretch for me. AND, she knows getting enough sleep is important. If it's late at night sometimes she'll just start loudly meowing at us like she's yelling, 'bed time guys!'

I_Will_End_You wrote: »

You can add me to the list of "irresponsible pet owners" who don't walk their dog frequently enough. Spring, summer and fall I walk him every morning and evening. We go hiking, to the park, to creeks to take him swimming, and on group dog walks with the rescue we got him from. In the winter? Heck no! I don't go outside when it's cold out. So except for the odd warm day, and the week after my daughter bought him a Chewbacca hoodie and wanted to show it off, he's hanging out in the house and yard. Sorry not sorry. If you asked him if he'd prefer to go back to the dumpster he was found in, the shelter he was in after that, or stay with a family who doesn't walk him when he's cold, I'm sure he'd stay with us.


Oh hi.

He is so adorable!!!

kshama2001 wrote: »

I_Will_End_You wrote: »

You can add me to the list of "irresponsible pet owners" who don't walk their dog frequently enough. Spring, summer and fall I walk him every morning and evening. We go hiking, to the park, to creeks to take him swimming, and on group dog walks with the rescue we got him from. In the winter? Heck no! I don't go outside when it's cold out. So except for the odd warm day, and the week after my daughter bought him a Chewbacca hoodie and wanted to show it off, he's hanging out in the house and yard. Sorry not sorry. If you asked him if he'd prefer to go back to the dumpster he was found in, the shelter he was in after that, or stay with a family who doesn't walk him when he's cold, I'm sure he'd stay with us.

I loathed the Florida summers and still walked my dog twice per day. After he passed away, I no longer walked in the summer, because then it was all about me. But when he was in the picture, I did it for him despite personally wanting to be in the AC.

Good for you, I'm not that unselfish.

Rachel0778 wrote: »

I_Will_End_You wrote: »

You can add me to the list of "irresponsible pet owners" who don't walk their dog frequently enough. Spring, summer and fall I walk him every morning and evening. We go hiking, to the park, to creeks to take him swimming, and on group dog walks with the rescue we got him from. In the winter? Heck no! I don't go outside when it's cold out. So except for the odd warm day, and the week after my daughter bought him a Chewbacca hoodie and wanted to show it off, he's hanging out in the house and yard. Sorry not sorry. If you asked him if he'd prefer to go back to the dumpster he was found in, the shelter he was in after that, or stay with a family who doesn't walk him when he's cold, I'm sure he'd stay with us.


Oh hi.

He is so adorable!!!

Thanks!

successgal1 wrote: »

All the fetching and whatnot means nothing to the dogs like a half hour walk does.

"As Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer says, "To your dog, your backyard is like a large fish bowl in which they are trapped. Fish swim, birds fly and dogs walk. Having a dog should not be about only fulfilling our human needs, we owe it to our dogs, to give them what THEY instinctually need."

This is the most spot on way I've ever seen it explained

My conscience gets the better of me if I don't walk them everyday.