Sorry...Covid related...

[fleurbelle]

My eldest DS 24 tested positive last Monday so obviously we as a family are isolating.
Myself, DH and youngest DS15.
Eldest is fine and well but positive.
Would you walk your dog for say 20 mins at around 2am on a field right on your doorstep with no chance of seeing anyone at all to give the poor dog some sense of normality?
I'm lucky to have a medium sized garden but she will only wee wee there, not poo.
And having someone walk her is a no go as she will not walk with anyone other than her family.
She will refuse to leave.
And I don't want to stress her anymore as she is already stressed from having all cooped up!
So... 2 am walks for mine and hers sanity or a no no?

You'd disrupt her sleep pattern though. Wouldn't that stress the dog out even more?

I’d be a bit worried about her settling back afterwards too (barking/toileting in the night)

Can the dog be trusted to be let out of the house (or garden) and return of their own free will when called?

I think 2am is more disruptive for the dog than no walk for a week.

Put it this way, if she had kennel cough or had back surgery for example, she would have to rest at home. If she really wouldn’t walk with another human other than you, then she should stay at home with you. The chances are 99% that all would be ok with your plan, but if you slipped on ice and broke your ankle or lost your dog, you could end up exposing lots more people.

Thanks for replies.
For context, she will only sleep when I sleep and is my shadow.
She would absolutely love a 2 am walk then would settle beautifully.

And no... I'd never trust her recall.
Too many cats, foxes and nice smells.

I would walk her, but surely you wouldn't see anyone from about 10pm? Or go at 5am? Unless it is a popular dog walking spot, but you said field?

I'd do it

I think this also depends where you live. If you’re rural and could go out at 10pm or 5am without needing to touch gates and with very little chance of seeing anyone, I’d do it. If you’re in a city, or it really does need to be 2am, then no. Stay at home.

No. You're isolating. That means not leaving the house.

I deliberately said 2am so to not see see anyone?
She won't care?
I'm awake most nights anyway!
It'll be fun.

I'd do it, if I could force myself to get my arse into gear at that time (tricky, I'd probably be sound asleep and not easily woken).

No gate touching.
Just our my door in a field for her to sniff and be happy.

• out

I'd do it.

Why did you even ask?

It would be neglectful not to take your dog for a walk somehow, even if he would poo in the garden.

You need to avoid people obviously, but I’d say 2am would be a bit ridiculous.

Do it. Apply common sense - you aren't risking anyone's health by doing it.

You’ve obviously decided you’re going to do it I’m not sure why you’ve asked.

I'd go at 10pm. You won't be bumping into anyone else by that time, surely?

I would, but then I often cant sleep and walk in the dark so it wouldnt be that odd.

"You won't be bumping into anyone else by that time, surely?"

Except for the police who are patrolling in our area and giving fines out to anyone without a good reason to be out.

So when they stop and ask her she's there exposing them to covid. The dog will walk with someone else and you need to stay home.

I know nothing about dogs, so can't really comment on that side of things, but at 2am, I can't see that it would be a problem as far as self isolation is concerned. I mean, it is technically against the rules, but in the grand scheme of things, I don't think you would be putting anyone at risk.

I'd go at 10pm. You won't be bumping into anyone else by that time, surely?

I think quite a lot of people would still be out walking at 10pm, so that is too early imo. 2am would be pretty quiet, I reckon.

Thanks all.
Too busy to reply to all individually.
I'll take her.
She will love it as will I with no people about.
The odd dog Walker about until midnight so I wanted to play it safe.