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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how unfit dog owners manage?

262 replies

Bamboozleme · 30/04/2023 14:26

I love walking and run 4x a week. Children sport-mad.
we have a lab
2 long (and fast!) walks a day plus and 20 min evening stroll

scrolling through my steps history and realised… on the days I run and do all the dog walks (I mainly do all the dog walks despite promises otherwise!) my step count is never below 25k. On days I won’t run, never below 18k.

Some days - substantially more!

how do you fare if you don’t enjoy walking and / or unfit and have a dog that needs and enjoys max walks?!

OP posts:
Gettingbysomehow · 01/05/2023 08:01

Why thr nasty sarcastic comments to OP? I dont believe people who can't exercise their dogs properly should have dogs. I dont have a dog because I have severe arthritis. I have two cats instead. I like both dogs and cats.animals are entitled to a happy life with plenty of outdoor time. It's not all about what we want. The animals welfare is more important.

Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:03

Reasonableadjustments · 30/04/2023 19:24

@Bamboozleme do you think physically disabled people shouldn't have dogs then?

Well not if
a) they can never get their dogs out for a walk; or
b) they can’t afford a dog walker

and

c) the breed of dog is one that really does relish a walk

OP posts:
Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:04

Well that's good to know
Always nice when someone shows themselves to be what they are nice and clearly.

Thank you wearing your ableism so clearly.

Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:05

Gettingbysomehow · 01/05/2023 08:01

Why thr nasty sarcastic comments to OP? I dont believe people who can't exercise their dogs properly should have dogs. I dont have a dog because I have severe arthritis. I have two cats instead. I like both dogs and cats.animals are entitled to a happy life with plenty of outdoor time. It's not all about what we want. The animals welfare is more important.

It’s mumsnet isn’t it?

if you’re not drinking gin and hate exercise… you’re smug

i said I run less than a handful of times and I do a fair bit of dog walking… and I’ve been called superior and smug

it would be funny if it wasn’t a bit depressing to realise that these posters are probably parents and passing on this kind of view to their children

OP posts:
Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:07

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:04

Well that's good to know
Always nice when someone shows themselves to be what they are nice and clearly.

Thank you wearing your ableism so clearly.

But do you think someone incapable of any walks and not able to afford a dog walker.. would be fair to have a dog?

there are degrees of physical disability. If the above was the case - then no I don’t think fair.

but most physical disabilities do permit walks to some extent so no problem

OP posts:
Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:07

You are looking for shadows @Reasonableadjustments

none here

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 01/05/2023 08:08

Many owners I see gather together in the centre of the park to chat and their dogs run around playing or they throw a ball and the dog chases that.
I know of a couple disabled people who have dogs and they walk them using their mobility scooter.
I was ill for almost a week once and could only manage short walks. But I had a big garden, big enough to throw a ball around for my dogs which sufficed for a limited time.

Catspyjamas17 · 01/05/2023 08:10

I have a greyhound and 10k steps a day just fine here. She can do longer walks, we did 5 miles on Saturday, but is never chomping at the bit to go out and if the weather is shit, a trip round the block is fine too. And my 83 year old mum can do short walks with her and she's happy with that too. Horses for courses.

DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 08:11

Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:05

It’s mumsnet isn’t it?

if you’re not drinking gin and hate exercise… you’re smug

i said I run less than a handful of times and I do a fair bit of dog walking… and I’ve been called superior and smug

it would be funny if it wasn’t a bit depressing to realise that these posters are probably parents and passing on this kind of view to their children

Show quote history

It’s not what you’ve said, it’s the way you’ve said it. And the vast majority on this thread have agreed you sound smug and condescending, so maybe… you do?
How many people do you know who are massively unfit, hate walking and own dogs? All my friends and family with dogs walk them regularly, regardless of fitness levels. Many have become more fit since owning dogs, due to all the walking. When my mum became unable to walk hers properly due to a degenerative condition, she paid a dog walker.
What prompted you to start the post? Do you have concerns about people you know who are too lazy/unfit to walk their dog? It must be something you’ve seen to be an issue?

ChaosOnTheCoast · 01/05/2023 08:11

How do lazy people manage to work? They work part-time.
I guess people adapt to their abilities.

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:13

I stand by what I said.

You're smug. And condescending. And ableist.

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:13

ChaosOnTheCoast · 01/05/2023 08:11

How do lazy people manage to work? They work part-time.
I guess people adapt to their abilities.

Ha. This!

WillowtreeHouse · 01/05/2023 08:15

Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:05

It’s mumsnet isn’t it?

if you’re not drinking gin and hate exercise… you’re smug

i said I run less than a handful of times and I do a fair bit of dog walking… and I’ve been called superior and smug

it would be funny if it wasn’t a bit depressing to realise that these posters are probably parents and passing on this kind of view to their children

Show quote history

OP I absolutely don't disagree with your sentiment that dogs need to be excercised. They do of course. But I feel that your initial OP does come across as smug I'm afraid, although I'm sure you didn't intend it that way. I'm a runner and but I don't drink gin by the way. 😉

My lab is a lazy fucker with bad hips and arthritis these days so we have had to adapt his walks accordingly. When he was young and more sprightly, there was a time when I wasn't able to walk him as I had surgery and was unwell for almost a year. I pulled in every favour imaginable to get him his walks (and I was lucky that people were willing to help) as there was no way I was getting rid of him for what I hoped was a short term situation. Dogs are family to most of us and there is always a way round a difficult situation.

Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:15

I don’t have any concerns at all and I expressed none. I was however curious how people managed very active dogs and were unfit and / or hated walking

🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
isthismylifenow · 01/05/2023 08:16

Bamboozleme · 30/04/2023 15:49

I enjoy walking
and a run less than a handful of times a week

only on mumsnet and in the Uk would this constitute me being smug and superior 😂

Nah, I'm not in the UK and still think you sound smug.

In my part of the world, owners don't usually walk their dogs for 4hrs every day anyway.

If my dog had to go out for 3 or 4 walks a day he would think I'd gone bonkers. Don't come at me for being a lazy dog owner. We have big properties and they get plenty exercise in their own home environment.

Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:17

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:13

Ha. This!

Show quote history

oh I’m not going to deny that! I absolutely love part time and will never ever ever return to full time! 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:17

And if part time means I’m lazy… hell yes and I embrace that label!

OP posts:
DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 08:18

Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:15

I don’t have any concerns at all and I expressed none. I was however curious how people managed very active dogs and were unfit and / or hated walking

🤷‍♀️

But how do you know those people actually exist? In my experience, people who don’t like walking don’t own dogs, as they know they’d have to walk them. And people who are unfit and get a dog, become fit by walking their dog. So it’s a whole thread about a problem that you don’t even know exists?

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:18

I don't drink at all. So please don't categorise in such a lazy way. Thank you.

CarpetSlipper · 01/05/2023 08:18

I think you’re being accused of being smug OP, because it seems doubtful that your “wondering” is genuine. The answers to your question seem fairly obvious. People walk their dogs less or use dog walkers.

dottiedodah · 01/05/2023 08:19

Also we have a chap we know,who exercises his dog in the park on his mobility scooter. A bit like a small car .he pops doggy in .glides to park,then let's him have a good run round! This chap is not "lazy" he lost a leg in Iraq ffs! Maybe he shouldn't have a doggy as well as only one bloody leg .try not to judge op

Nordicrain · 01/05/2023 08:19

Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:15

I don’t have any concerns at all and I expressed none. I was however curious how people managed very active dogs and were unfit and / or hated walking

🤷‍♀️

See I find it so strange when people can't possible imagine a situation differently to their own. It shows such a distinct and utter lack of imagination (and empathy). Which I think is why people are calling you smug, because they can't believe you are genuinely curious about how it might at all be possible to have a dog if you can't walk 25,000 steps a day.

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:19

Also this

In my experience, people who don’t like walking don’t own dogs, as they know they’d have to walk them. And people who are unfit and get a dog, become fit by walking their dog. So it’s a whole thread about a problem that you don’t even know exists?

Plus walking a dog isn't just about horsing on at a fast pace. And doing the maximum number of steps.

Walking off lead or on a long line in a rich environment such as a forest is actually better for them

ChaosOnTheCoast · 01/05/2023 08:19

I haven’t read the thread. Any clarification on why we needed to know about the kids being ‘sports mad’?

Nordicrain · 01/05/2023 08:20

ChaosOnTheCoast · 01/05/2023 08:19

I haven’t read the thread. Any clarification on why we needed to know about the kids being ‘sports mad’?

Becuase OP wants us all to know how sporty and active (i.e. superior) her whole family is.

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