To think it's not cruel to keep dogs in one day a week?

[moneypie]

I have two small breed dogs. They are taken out walks 6 days a week, sometimes twice, they have a garden to run around in and I stuff there kongs, give puzzles etc and they play with each other and the cats. I am with them basically constantly unless I have to go to shop and then my daughter is with them. I take them out in the car all the time, incorporate them into any activity I can.

However, a Sunday I like to relax, I mainly stay in the house and potter about. So they don't usually get taken any walks on a Sunday. Just some kongs and playing. They sleep most of the day on Sundays to be honest.

My brother is now claiming this is cruel, dogs need walked every day and they are sleeping due to boredom. If I had a big dog I might agree however these are tiny tiny dogs. And sometimes when we are out on walks they will start leading me back to the house so it's not as if they're desperate to walk.

I'm now feeling worried and like a bad dog owner after this conversation with my brother though. AIBU?

I think that's really harsh. She sound like a good owner who does two walks six days a week. If the dog is relaxed and happy on the one day off then I don't see the harm and you were very rude to her

Don't mind him, you are a great dog owner, one day is not an issue.

It's not cruel. Cruel is taking them out in blistering heat - as some morons seem to do

Ha ha ha ya mad scone.

Yes, you're right about burnt paws, but come on, a whole week of no walks, we get up at 5 to take ours whilst it's cool.

What a load of nonsense.

You can tell yourself your dogs aren’t bothered

When my dog had his butt planted firmly onto the floor and no amount of coaxing or bribes was going to change his mind, that was a very clear indication to me that he absolutely wasn't bothered. But you clearly knew him better than I did.🙄

So do I, but there are plenty of reasons why people can't do that - work patterns, being a single parent, lack of childcare etc.

Not really fair to judge when you don't know the situation.

Not really - it's generally safe to walk pugs/Frenchies morning and evening in this country - this heat is hardly normal.

You also don't know that she bought her dog - it could be a rescue.

Have you escaped from the barking and (see what I did there) dog board?

I know plenty people who for various reason might not wak their dogs 365 days a year, no dogs have come to harm becuase of this
Are you always so black and white in your opinions?

He'd hate me then. I rarely take my dog for a "walk".

We have a huge garden he runs about in all day and he goes to dog daycare when I'm at work.

We often go on a very short walk in the evenings to the bottom of our road where there is a river he loves to swim in (he's obsessed with water).

I've always been very relaxed with him. Never wanted this strict schedule of getting up at silly o'clock to take him on an X hour long walk or whatever.

He gets stimulation and exercise in other ways throughout the day and he is a happy and healthy dog.

I would never feel guilty of having the odd day where we stayed inside.

It does some dogs good to have a day off and decompress and chill. It also does them good to not have too fixed a routine- so when things like todays to weather happens they aren’t expecting a walk at 12:00 when it’s 32degrees outside.
what you should be asking yourself if do your dogs seem content and calm? If yes then you are doing the right things.
if you don’t take them out on a Sunday and they are mithering or unsettled then yes you have a problem

I have 2 big, high energy dogs. They didn't get walked yesterday and they haven't been out today. However, I have done some sniffy garden games. And will do some training with the young one & a game of tug if it cools down. The dogs are asleep and are happy (apart from being hot!)
In fact, some nervous/anxious dogs do better if they DON'T go for daily walks. Other dogs do better with daily/twice daily walks.
You know your dog/s and it is a misconception that all dogs need to go out everyday.

Sounds ok but you could still give them a little stroll round the block surely. Most dogs prefer not to toilet in their gardens if there is an option. I have to take mine out every time she needs the loo as she won't go in our street but sometimes days it's just for a quick wee and sniff about which she's totally fine with as she has a pretty busy life the rest of the time. Also she hated cold and wet weather so this is even more common in winter months at weekends.

.....

Can't you just walk him around 6pm when the weather drops? That's a bit lazy to be honest,

I've always been very relaxed with him. Never wanted this strict schedule of getting up at silly o'clock to take him on an X hour long walk or whatever

We're exactly the same. I deliberately never put my dog into a routine (food or exercise wise) as I've seen dogs get really obsessive when their routines are broken - after all, it's impossible to guarantee the same timings day in, day out.

Some days he's walked at 6am, other days at 11am, other days not at all. Sometimes it's on lead and alone, sometimes with other dogs, sometimes off-lead. Lots of variety and absolutely no set routine. He's fine.

I don't think all dogs need it
My friends husky needs endless exercise and happily walks 10km, naps for 30 mins and then is "what are we doing now?"
My other friend has a dachshund who hates mornings, and will hide under the duvet rather than go for a walk

I think it’s fine. If they are sleeping, they’re content. I walk mine five days a week. They hate to be alone, so I walk them while my kid is at school, and when use the time she’s home at weekends to work on my allotment. They are 8 and 10, and don’t mind the odd missed walk. They have free access to the garden and each other to play with. They’re fine.

@creamysauce it's 28c here (south east) at 6/7pm which is still too hot for most dogs. :-(

Is this for real? You scattered meat all over the garden? It’s a good thing they found it all or you could have a health hazard on your hands with rotting meat trapped in your flower beds or bushes.

Er you do realise most dog owners feed kibble don't you? Not actual carcases??!

Or when it's cooler like 8pm. Not having a walk since Wednesday is a bit much. Not even a 20 minute walk..

Can't you just walk him around 6pm when the weather drops? That's a bit lazy to be honest,

It's still late 20's early 30's where I am in Southern England so no, it's not ok to walk at 6pm...

*So do I, but there are plenty of reasons why people can't do that - work patterns, being a single parent, lack of childcare etc.

Not really fair to judge when you don't know the situation*

To be fair. This should have been considered before committing to a dog.

No they seem very relaxed. They have been playing this morning in between dozing. They are now asleep at my feet. My brother says that's boredom though

@creamysauce the SE really has been unbearable for days and is still mid to late 20s until late at night by which time everyone is exhausted from the ongoing heat even the dog . Realistically my dog could be walked at 5/6 am but my own health issues mean that’s a non starter so a drive and a mooch round the garden is the best he’s getting . No dog has died for want of a walk .