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The doghouse

Am I being a terrible dog owner?

9 replies

User1838482 · 22/04/2019 17:01

I work part time, 7-12.30 every morning so we've never needed a dog sitter as he's only alone between 8.45 (when DH leaves for work) and 12.30 (when I get back from work)

This has always worked fine for the past 18 months, he's lazy in the mornings and even on our days off wakes up has his breakfast then sleeps on the sofa until 12.30, so he's got a good routine. I usually walk him after I've had lunch, around 1.30 for 45 mins and then me and DH take him on a walk together at 6 when he finishes work. Happy days.

However I've just reached the third trimester and I'm officially useless. I've had to finish work early due to SPD and dog walking is just not possible right now due to how bad it is. He gets a longer walk with atleast an hour off lead with DH every night but up until 6pm he doesn't get out the house. We play fetch and some bits in the living room and he goes in the garden regularly to do his business and have a sniff, but he's started sleeping almost all day and it's making me sad because he must be so bored SadSad

OP posts:
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Floralnomad · 22/04/2019 17:05

No it’s perfectly fine , at the end of the day dogs sometimes have to take a back seat in life . He’s fed , loved and walked that covers all the bases .

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AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 22/04/2019 17:40

You're not a terrible dog owner. Or if you are, I am too (and no one has ever suggested so to me) - my dog gets one long walk a day in the late afternoon / early evening too.

If it makes you feel better, join the Canine Enrichment Facebook group and try out some of the ideas there - there are ideas that can be made using household items like toilet rolls as well as more in depth things.

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BiteyShark · 22/04/2019 17:44

He's still getting one good off lead walk a day.

When I am calm and not doing much in the house my dog sleeps simply because I find he mirrors what I am doing.

If you want to up the stimulation you could use something like a licky mat or something else that requires him to work for his food or treats.

But no I don't think you are a terrible owner.

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OverFedStanley · 22/04/2019 19:06

What type of dog and what age?

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Slicedpineapple · 27/04/2019 08:28

Nope, I'm in the exact same boat at the moment.

DH does a 35 min walk in the AM and about 45 mins to an hour in the evening.

Join the canine enrichment Facebook group, get some feeder toys for mental stimulation. You could take up something like a dog sport that doesn't require too much energetic movement from you (rally) or scentwork.

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adaline · 27/04/2019 17:18

I really don't think it matters when the dog gets a walk so long as he gets out to be honest.

Our 14 month old beagle gets taken out once a day for the most part. Sometimes he's out for 90 minutes, sometimes 3-4 hours. We've never gotten him into the habit of going out multiple times because I'm a firm believer that dogs adapt to what you give them (to an extent).

In other words, if you've always walked your dog off-lead for miles everyday then that's what they come to expect and "require" from you. However if they've only ever had one walk a day of varying lengths and at varying times, they adapt to that just as well.

Obviously some breeds need lots of exercise (huskies, for example) but I don't think most dogs need multiple walks or hours upon hours of input and stimulation.

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Katterinaballerina · 27/04/2019 17:26

He’s got company and he’s still getting a daily walk. That’s fine. If he’s ok with other dogs in his space you could invite someone to bring their dog around and stay for a coffee. Or meet up at a park if you can get there by car and there’s a bench for you to sit on while the dogs run? That’d be handy when you have your baby too.

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longearedbat · 28/04/2019 12:36

When the weather is good enough to have the doors open I only walk our dog once a day as she spends so much time in the garden, and of course we can play exhausting ball games as well. Your dog sounds perfectly happy. I wouldn't worry op.

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Tinysarah1985 · 28/04/2019 13:39

Not at all! I really struggled the last 3 weeks of pregancy taking my dog out. It had to stop going to the big park near us as i was so exhausted i couldn’t walk back! I found a smaller park which was only 5 minute walk/waddle away.

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