Dog walks

[LaFlottes]

Hi everyone,

Some questions if that's ok...we have a 6 year old boarder terrier cross and we've had her for about a month now. She's lovely and we are having a great time with her. She needs to shed a few pounds but she's getting there!

I work from home so can take her out whenever needed but I wondered what you thought was best. She always gets a 15 minute walk first thing before the school run, a 20 minute walk at 6.30pm when my husband gets home and a walk round the block before bedtime at 9 ish.

So it's what to do in between? Would you say one more good 45 - 60 minute walk, or several 20 minute walks spread over the day? Or twice? What is best for her?

Also, we are now brave enough and confident enough in her recall to let her off the lead and she loves racing after her ball! If I took her to an open space for one of her walks and played for half an hour rather than walking, is that as good or is walking better?

Sorry is this is a bit stupid. Just want to keep her happy and make best use of the time we have.

Thank you!!

[DanielCraigsUnderpants]

How about playing some games with her? Is she interested in toys? They're great for burning energy, tuggy games so long as you can get her to release the toy when you ask for it (that can be trained though)

Also doing little bits of training with very small tidbits - there's loads of books out there you can teach her to do all sorts. Keep her brain and body active

[TiredAndDeadly]

Have you tried the recall in the house or garden?

For the first time off lead I'd take her out hungry and offer her treats when she returns. A cube of chicken/ham. But then I'm not a softly softly approach type person and like to jump in both feet first. Do the recall at home/garden first so she knows what to expect.

We let our pup off the lead very young and she is luckily very good at recall.

One of those throw ball things (can't think of the name) -it's a long stick and it throws a tennis ball really far with hardly any effort from you....that would be good for a quick 15-20 play/workout.

[LaFlottes]

Thanks for your suggestions that's really great!

Her recall is pretty good a long as treats are involved!! I'd love to train her a bit more so will have a look into some books too.

She's interested in toys, but then a squeaky ball seemed to send her a bit loopy, as in she got really wound up and we were not sure if she was stressed or enjoying herself!!

Thanks!

[DanielCraigsUnderpants]

If she's a terrier she'll be ragging toys around because thats what they were bred to do. Squeaky balls I find annoying so i avoid them,.but rope toys you can play tug with are brilliant.

You could also put her dinner in a kong- they're available at all pet shops and online, pack her dinner in really quite tight (dry food or wet will go in) and she has to work to get it out, so it keeps her busy too. There are in fact loads of products out there that do this- try company of animals online for some ideas