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AIBU?

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Original poster

People walking their dogs early in the morning

191 replies

SinceWhenDid · 23/04/2018 06:39

All winter in the dark and cold I've been walking my dogs in the woods close by. All winter I met ONE person (plus some creepy, silent, hooded figure - I didn't go down that path again)

Now it's light in the mornings I meet so many people. I feel they didn't put the hard slog in over the winter so they shouldn't be allowed to spoil my solitude and enjoyment of these beautiful mornings...

Of course I know it is unreasonable to feel this way really Blush

OP posts:
nursy1 · 23/04/2018 07:44

I know exactly what you mean. Part of the reason I like dog walking is, in my mind, you HAVE to do it. So it makes you get in your 10k steps come rain or shine. Nowadays though, I’m part retired so I usually wait for a break in the rain. 😕
These fair weather dog walkers eh?

notabee · 23/04/2018 07:45

Our dog still gets walked all year but now it's light I let the teen dc go before school. I wouldn't put them or myself at extra risk by going out when it's dark and no ones about.
It's not about fair weather but safety.

LakieLady · 23/04/2018 07:45

I don't walk my dog in the dark because I like to see what she's up to, although I have misjudged how late it is a couple of times and ended up in the woods when it's almost dark on winter afternoons.

She's not keen on going out in bad weather, but loves a bright frosty morning. The frost seems to make her go all frisky and puppy-ish, despite her being nearly 13.

Ohmydayslove · 23/04/2018 07:46

Oh tatty seriously how awful. Must have been upsetting Flowers

blurry yes we do only walk if it’s warm. Some dogs don’t need much walking so my yorkie has thr garden in the winter to use but really only for business. In thr warm weather she’s out there all day but she doesn’t need to walk miles.

It all depends on the breed. I know labs need lots more exercise

RadioDorothy · 23/04/2018 07:50

Ha I'm always moaning about people who dare walk their dogs at the same time as me - don't they know I walk her between 5 and 6am EVERY MORNING because she's nervous, noisy and aggressive so I have to avoid others at all costs?

Its been deserted all winter and suddenly I'm turning one way to avoid an oncoming dog, only to meet another coming in the opposite direction. I keep having to hide in hedges and behind cars with my dog in a headlock, the neighbours won't appreciate her screeching alerts.

Bloody people, anyone would think it was a free country and they could walk their dogs wherever and whenever they choose... Grin

Ohmydayslove · 23/04/2018 07:50

Have yo say I feel like that about my local gym/pool in the school holidays. Bloody kids running rampage and splashing all the fucking time Grin Easter hols must have been 6 months long disturbing my floating/swimming Grin little bastards

AmIAWeed · 23/04/2018 07:50

I walk our dog mid morning/lunch time however in the recent hot weather go first thing so he doesn't burn his paws or over heat

MsHomeSlice · 23/04/2018 07:53

I am very possessive about MY beach for this very reason....walking the length of it in the winter, and seeing nothing and no one is good for my soul and then in the summer it's dodge the farking public!

I propose some sort of loyalty scheme, each GMT walk earns you the same for BST when the weather is much nicer , maybe a double bonus for Dec/Jan???and too bad if you just want to sit there or take your squawking offspring paddling. :o

UrsulaPandress · 23/04/2018 07:53

I once was accused of being a fair weather dog walker because I was walking in a different place. But I like to ring the changes with his walks.

muffyduffster · 23/04/2018 07:53

We dogsit for friends at our house when they go away (in summer usually) so we might account for one of your extras!

Parsleyisntfood · 23/04/2018 07:57

I prefer to walk my dog on the beach. It varies when he gets his big walk during the day but we like the beach. It was lovely when it was covered in snow.
Rocked up after school pick up time on Wednesday and it was like the Costa del Sol. Took 3 times as long because 1/2 the people wanting to feed him picnic and the other 1/2 were in mortal fear. The daft lab thought it was great but I did not.
Thankfully it was overcast and drizzly yesterday so back to the status quo.

I thought it was just me being anti social though.

joystir59 · 23/04/2018 07:57

Our JRT would destroy us and the house if he didn't get two long walks and off lead plays per day come snow or sun

GrimSqueaker · 23/04/2018 07:58

I normally walk my dog middle of the day. In the hot weather I change it up to walk early in the morning before the day gets hot.

Not all of us are dog-walk-dodgers in the wind and the rain ya know.

FusionChefGeoff · 23/04/2018 07:59

I don't have a dog but definitely feel that about 'summer runners' now the evenings are lighter. I've slogged my guts out with layer upon layer and still get numb fingers and freezing toes and now they come in all short shorts and bouncy ponytails!!

PetulantPolecat · 23/04/2018 08:00

“ I keep having to hide in hedges and behind cars with my dog in a headlock, the neighbours won't appreciate her screeching alerts.”

Christ, I’m trying to imagine the heart attack I’d get walking about a deserted path at 5:10 am and out of the corner of my eye I see someone hiding from sight and forcing a dog to do something unspeakable (that I can’t quite see therefore my imagination would come up with the worst).

FitzChivalry · 23/04/2018 08:00

Drives me mad! Where are all these poor dogs getting walked when it's a bit drizzly or a bit chilly?

Spudlet · 23/04/2018 08:06

Old Buggerlugs used to be an all-weather dog, but now he's 11 and a bit arthritic we have to watch hauling him out in howling gales. So in winter we tend to wait until daytime, when it's a bit warmer!

He is deffo one of those naughty weekend dogs, but to be fair he's a naughty weekday dog too. This is because he is a Wicked Spaniel who likes to pretend he's gone deaf in his old age until someone rustles a crisp packet of course.

FriendlyOcelot · 23/04/2018 08:06

I must be oblivious - it’s not something I notice! I walk my dog for an hour every day, sometimes I see lots of people, sometimes I don’t! I didn’t realise there were those that refuse to walk their dog in bad weather, I thought it was something you just did as part of owning a dog. The mud has been a challenge this year though, and not for the faint hearted

Ohmydayslove · 23/04/2018 08:07

Fitz no all breeds need or want long walks. For some dogs it’s harmful.

fleshmarketclose · 23/04/2018 08:07

YANBU I said much the same at the weekend. I've done my time in the rain, snow, sleet, wind and fog and seen only the seasoned few with their well behaved and sociable dogs for months. A bit of sun and the parks and the trails are overrun with people and dogs who are, a lot of the time, poorly trained.

Ohmydayslove · 23/04/2018 08:08

petulant oh god that made me choke on my cuppa Grin

CocoaGin · 23/04/2018 08:09

I've got a cocker spaniel who adores going out at first light, so he can disturb all the pheasants from their slumber Blush. It's funny that you don't see a soul for months during the winter, yesterday we met about 15 others. I'm sure they hibernate and their dogs Hmm.

80sMum · 23/04/2018 08:09

I don't have a dog and so walk alone. As most of my routes are along lonely footpaths and bridleways through woodland or across heathland, I don't like walking in the dark, as it limits my knowledge of what's going on around me and whether or not there is anyone else in the vicinity.

So, I am one of the "daylight people" that you don't like, OP - sorry! However, I very rarely encounter other people, even on lovely sunny mornings.

totallyliterally · 23/04/2018 08:09

I feel the same about dog walking at all times of the day. Where we go I was there at all hours in snow, rain, mud. And it was so quiet. And now it is busy as people see the sun and think oh let's go for a dog walk.

Was out before 6 am yesterday there and was much quieter thankfully.

echt · 23/04/2018 08:12

Where I live in Melbourne I'm very lucky as there is is an off-leash sports ground near my house, where the dog walkers gather every day. Many dogs are driven over. I notice some dogs are walked once, others twice day. Only extreme heat keeps them away until late or they're taken to the sea.

I suppose what I'm saying is it's very social, not fair weather walking. It's a bit like the school gate on that you're known as Maisies's mum for ages until first names are exchanged.

I'm just off now to walk the echtdog.