What to do if you've got no garden?

[SmallBearOwner]

As a single person WFH during this outbreak, I've never been so grateful to have my dog. But also being single & living in London (and while very grateful to own my flat), a property with a garden has always been out of my financial reach. Not usually a problem as I take my dog out to local parks or diddles around on backstreets to do his business.

However with Boris' recent lockdown announcement restricting going outside to once a day, I am a bit worried about what to do. Only 1 daily walk is going to be a pain but doable (we'll make it long and I have already ordered lots of dog enrichment toys for inside funtimes) but I can't restrict an 18 mo dog to only toileting once a day! We're usually out 5-7 times a day, walks and toilets included. Any tips/advice/ideas? He will absolutely NOT go inside on pads, he's never used them even during puppy training. And he's so stubbornly trained he refuses to toilet in my mum's back garden as he appears to see it as some extension of the house!!

Help!

[HasaDigaEebowai]

In other countries you've been allowed to take them outside (literally just outside) to go to the toilet and then come in again.

[Apolloanddaphne]

Apart from one long walk you will have to take him out to the nearest grass where he will go then straight home.

[Floralnomad]

Just take him out for as short a walk as possible to do his business and one proper walk , as long as you stay socially distanced I can’t see the issue .

[Stellaris22]

No excuse for dogs being off lead right now. I say this as someone who loves seeing dogs play. They will be fine.

I do feel sorry for dogs as they don't understand what's going on.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Dogs can't catch the virus so there's no need for them to be on lead

[HasaDigaEebowai]

If you touch a dog and you have the virus and the that dog touches someone else then that can spread the virus

[SmallBearOwner]

Thanks everyone! That's pretty much what I'm thinking - outside for quick diddles and one big walk on a lead. And it has to be the lead as he loves greeting people and being a small fluffy bear type, is so damn cute that people seem unable to resist stroking him! My neighbours have also offered to take him as well on their daily exercise.

Next up learning to groom at home, I think youtube is my friend!

Stay safe everyone, and chins up!

[MaryLennoxsScowl]

I’ve got this problem too, but I do at least have a partner so pup can have two walks a day. I live directly opposite a park and we go there so can see other people approaching and call pup back if they have dogs - he’s not bothered about people particularly but likes playing with other dogs.

[Funf]

Just go out early and late to avoid other people.
I feel dogs should be on a lead at all times as not all dogs and people appreciate strange dogs bounding up to them.
One of our previous fluff balls was very good at looking cute but was very intolerant of other dogs who approached, as he was small you can guess which bit he would bite!

[SmallBearOwner]

Well I've taken him out, and while in a corner of the park that is secluded and empty, I let him off for a short run, which he loved. However what he loved even more was the massive pile of fox poo which he promptly rolled in. Dirty dawgs eh?