I Need to Walk My Dogs (and Myself)
doodleart
Posts: 1 Member
I realize that although I fancy myself a great pet mom, I loathe the idea of walking my dogs...especially when it's cold outside. I have 3 dogs and one is a total spaz (2 yr old Springer Spaniel). I have to walk her separately, which then leads me to feel bad that I'm leaving the other two behind - or that I have to go on two walks - TERRIBLE IDEA. So I just haven't been doing anything. I recently moved and we have nearly ZERO yard for them, so walking is a must. I found an app called Wooftrax that allows you to walk your dog and raise money for an animal shelter of your choice. So I gave it a go yesterday, and have decided I'll just walk them on alternating days. Gotta start somewhere. Ideas? Motivations?
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Replies
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I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.11
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How about a dog trainer? It would make your life and the life of your dogs much easier and happier if they could all walk together. Don't get me wrong - I'm not criticizing you! Training dogs can be tough depending on their breed and personality. But, if you can afford it, it would really be worth it.
I like the idea of the app you found. I'm going to look into that!1 -
I walk my dog every morning before work, regardless of the weather. She knows it and expects it, waiting patiently, tail wagging, as I put my shoes on. If you can make yourself do it for a week or two, your dogs will recognize the pattern and come to expect it as well. They will then be all the motivation you need...how can you say no???
As for the cold, I just bundle up in as many layers as I can, hat, mittens, scarf, thick socks and boots. I don't give a hoot how I look when I walk the dog, as long as I am warm. My dog does not mind the cold, so I do not bother with a coat for her, but I do use Mushers wax to protect her paws from ice and salt in the winter.
Also, thanks for the idea of the app. I am going to look into that as well.9 -
You either must walk your pets on a regular daily basis, more than once a day, or hire someone to do if for you. To do otherwise is mistreatment of your pets. Do yourself a favor, and take the walks yourself. You'll get into the habit and it'll be good for ALL of you.10
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we bought our house and land FOR our dogs. 10 acres of woods for them to run and roam freely on.
and I still take them for walks.
Its called being a good doggie mum (or dad)
Get into the habit, dress in layers. Youll be fine.9 -
Energetic dogs (I'm looking at you, 2yo Springer Spaniel) ESPECIALLY need daily walks, if not more. Hire someone if you have to, but going for walks is great exercise for you, too!3
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Do you have any family members who can walk with you? Neighbors or friends? My husband and I walk our dog together every morning and evening. It is a chance to talk about anything and everything. Sometimes we just walk, lost in our own thoughts, but still together. I have always enjoyed walking dogs. I know my husband wouldn't do it as much if I weren't with him, but he would still walk our pup because he cares about the dog.2
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Get with a trainer so you can learn to walk both dogs at once, and maybe consider taking up running in the future. My sisters springer spaniel lived to be 19 years old and it never calmed down. You’re in for a rough ride if you can’t figure things out soon! She was a great runner and walked nicely with my 1 year old shepherd.
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I am an avid dog walker! I'll check out that app!0
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You and your dogs will all be happier if you spend some time (and probably money) on some training so that you actually look forward to walking your dogs. It should (usually) be a fun part of the day for all of you. And if your one is high energy, not walking it every day is not going to make it better. Mental and physical stimulation is what it needs. I always say a good dog is a tired dog.6
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If you're not going to walk your dogs by yourself hire a dog walker. Dogs, like people, need exercise but unlike people they're not able to decide whether or not they can go out.
Suck it up, dress properly and embrace winter.6 -
We walk our dogs twice a day rain or shine. It has to become a habit I think - we’ve been doing it for 15 years now. When the kids were little we would have them join us. In order to get used to it, I recommend starting by doing it once a day at whatever time is best for you and then when you have that habit down, add in another time. I love the morning walk right after getting up because it wakes me up for the day. We only go a mile or so (longer if we have more time or the weather is great). We live in Michigan so understand the cold but it’s easy to layer up. Invest in long underwear if you don’t have any. Your dogs will thank you. Best of luck.4
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i don't think you need to walk the dogs every day if they get enough exercise otherwise. my dogs run around playing tag in the fenced in backyard or go to the dog park. fetch, flirt poles, etc. there are plenty of forms of exercise for dogs. just like there is more than running and lifting weights for people.
that being said, i do take my dogs on runs (not every day). anywhere between 1-4 dogs. with proper training it can be an enjoyable experience.there were actually three but someone needed to lift his leg
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i don't think you need to walk the dogs every day if they get enough exercise otherwise. my dogs run around playing tag in the fenced in backyard or go to the dog park. fetch, flirt poles, etc. there are plenty of forms of exercise for dogs. just like there is more than running and lifting weights for people.
that being said, i do take my dogs on runs (not every day). anywhere between 1-4 dogs. with proper training it can be an enjoyable experience.there were actually three but someone needed to lift his leg
OP said they don’t have a yard to run in, so they’re not getting basic exercise, that’s why she has to walk them.2 -
Do you need really warm clothes? Motivating music?0
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THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
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THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
Why are you shouting? Dogs still need interaction with other dogs and not those in the house. If not by meeting them by sniffing their fluids.8 -
Why are you shouting? Dogs still need interaction with other dogs and not those in the house. If not by meeting them by sniffing their fluids.
What a way to put it.
Walking is the easiest way by far to get a dog some mental stimulation. I was looking after a friend of mine's dog for a while when she was on cage-rest and could only walk 5 mins outside per day and keeping her from tearing the house (and herself) to pieces with anxiety and excess energy was a trial. Toys, puzzles, training, hiding food, its a lot more work than just putting on a coat.
OP you can't live the rest of your life with your dogs being unable to walk at the same time, that's ridiculous. I know your dog is 2 but get some puppy training classes.4 -
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
I’d find it even more difficult to do other things if basic training such as leash walking hasn’t even been achieved. Not all dogs have a drive to play ball believe it or not. I wouldn’t take an untrained dog on an off leash hike, or to do agility, or anywhere else for that matter. Just throwing your dog in a backyard isn’t exercise no matter how big your yard is, they need engagement. Dog parks can be very dangerous and often lead to bad behaviors (and goodluck catching your dog if it has no recall). Learning basic leash manners opens up a lot more doors for the dog and the owner.4 -
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
Why are you shouting?
It would be more helpful if you actually gave the OP suggestions for what those "other things" are, rather than just yelling at me. Without a yard, I think it would be difficult to give the dogs enough exercise without walking but if you have better suggestions please offer them.4 -
I realize that although I fancy myself a great pet mom, I loathe the idea of walking my dogs...especially when it's cold outside. I have 3 dogs and one is a total spaz (2 yr old Springer Spaniel). I have to walk her separately, which then leads me to feel bad that I'm leaving the other two behind - or that I have to go on two walks - TERRIBLE IDEA. So I just haven't been doing anything. I recently moved and we have nearly ZERO yard for them, so walking is a must. I found an app called Wooftrax that allows you to walk your dog and raise money for an animal shelter of your choice. So I gave it a go yesterday, and have decided I'll just walk them on alternating days. Gotta start somewhere. Ideas? Motivations?
It’s not a terrible idea to go on two walks. Until you can get with a trainer you might just have to do that, and it’s more exercise for you, so I see it as a win-win. Do you live near a dog park? Those are a great way to make sure they get exercise.
You can also chase them around the house. I chase mine around the house all the time. He loves it and even chases me.
Sometimes the weather really is too bad to take them for a walk, and you have to improvise. Don’t let any Negative Nancies make you feel bad.3 -
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
I have never seen a dog that wasn't excited about going for a walk. That tells me all I need to know.2 -
lporter229 wrote: »
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
I have never seen a dog that wasn't excited about going for a walk. That tells me all I need to know.
Actually, my little Jack Russel is pretty reluctant...at least initially. She runs every time she sees the leash and collar. Once she's on the walk, she's fine, but she's pretty reluctant to get started. Playing fetch with a ball or frisbee on the other hand...she'll go non stop.0 -
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
I’d find it even more difficult to do other things if basic training such as leash walking hasn’t even been achieved. Not all dogs have a drive to play ball believe it or not. I wouldn’t take an untrained dog on an off leash hike, or to do agility, or anywhere else for that matter. Just throwing your dog in a backyard isn’t exercise no matter how big your yard is, they need engagement. Dog parks can be very dangerous and often lead to bad behaviors (and goodluck catching your dog if it has no recall). Learning basic leash manners opens up a lot more doors for the dog and the owner.
Right? Neither of my dogs are super motivated and they couldn’t care less about balls and frisbees. Even when my elderly one was young and high energy, the best way to get exercise her was to walk, run, bike, hike, or take her out with the horses. She liked sticks, but was really more into finding an excellent one and showing it off than me throwing it. My younger one has no retrieve drive, but LOVES long walks and hikes. None of these things with either of them would be possible if I hadn’t taken the time to instill basic manners and obedience, including proper, polite leash walking.
They have a great backyard but hate it, save for a quick pee or a few minutes of sunbathing. They prefer either to lounge on the furniture or go for a freaking walk.2 -
lporter229 wrote: »
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS TO DO W DOGS TO EXERCISE THEM...BESIDES WALKING THEM.Redordeadhead wrote: »I'm sorry, but you really shouldn't have dogs if you're not going to walk them. When the weather is bad I may not always love the idea of taking mine out, but I know he depends on me and it's my responsibility to take care of his health and wellbeing.
I have never seen a dog that wasn't excited about going for a walk. That tells me all I need to know.
i have had a few fosters who did not get excited about going for a walk. i've had a dog that would hide when i said walk.0 -
I can say, "Who wants to go for a walk" in an excited tone and both my dogs get wound up. If I put their harnesses on, all craziness breaks out. I can walk from the door upstairs and back a few times, and in that 6 minutes, the dogs have done so many laps around the house and so many trips up and down the stairs that they're gassed for the rest of the day. The actual walk becomes their cool-down session, lol.
Point is... get them their exercise. It doesn't have to be on a walk necessarily, but walks are generally good for everyone. Just gotta get over the inconvenience of it.3 -
I would watch some cesar milan videos. Try searching for what behavior you need to correct. I think it's unacceptable to have to walk your dogs separately, I just simply would not tolerate that. Dog needs to learn. Lol. Be the alpha! My husband has corrected a few of his dogs bad behaviors by using what the dog whisperer said to do. I think he's pretty smart. His late dog and our current dog are/were the most well behaved dogs I have ever encountered. She just does what you tell her to, she hardly ever gets into trouble.
As for the cold it's really not bad if you dress appropriately. Layers. I always wear leggings underneath my pants and several tops, gloves, hat, scarf etc.5 -
My two dogs are 10 years apart in age. Walking them together is a challenge, but not because we are bad trainers.0
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Vladimirnapkin wrote: »My two dogs are 10 years apart in age. Walking them together is a challenge, but not because we are bad trainers.
Similar. My 2 are close in age, the same breed (Westies) but react very differently to walks. One likes about 20 mins and she's done while the other could go for more than an hour. But they are so attached to each other that walking them separately causes anxiety.0 -
I think it’s great you’re starting somewhere and realize you all need the exercise. Maybe once you get through a couple weeks, you can add in the second walk per day. They don’t have to be five miles long each. Maybe find a dog park so they can have a longer stretch of exercise on the weekend.0
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