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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:
Original poster
Bamboozleme · 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’?

Fair point.

OP posts:
Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:20

That's a good point

My kids are sports mad.

Unfortunately that did not translate into uncomplainingly walking the dog when they lived full time at home.

DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 08:22

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’?

Maybe the kids play tennis with the dog?

SpongeBob2022 · 01/05/2023 08:22

Near me there is a wood. So most people go for a leisurely walk and their dogs run off exploring.

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:22

My children have competed in 2 different sports at elite level.

Even though I'm one of them there lazy disabled cunts who can't walk their dog.

I feel superior now. Hmm

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/05/2023 08:25

I'm a professional dog walker and own a beagle myself - and, shockingly, he didn't get a walk at all yesterday - he spent his day upside-down and snoring in various positions, occasionally moving to beg for food or go for a poo Grin

Dogs don't need multiple walks every single day to be fit or happy. A day off is fine. One good quality walk a day is fine.

Walking a dog multiple times a day, every single won't necessarily give you a tired, happy and content dog either.

DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 08:27

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/05/2023 08:25

I'm a professional dog walker and own a beagle myself - and, shockingly, he didn't get a walk at all yesterday - he spent his day upside-down and snoring in various positions, occasionally moving to beg for food or go for a poo Grin

Dogs don't need multiple walks every single day to be fit or happy. A day off is fine. One good quality walk a day is fine.

Walking a dog multiple times a day, every single won't necessarily give you a tired, happy and content dog either.

We have sadly recently lost our beagle but he was a lazy thing as he got older. He’d walk about half a mile then just sit down! He used to watch me get his lead out then just turn around and go back to sleep 😂.
On lead walks were always pretty slow with him anyway as he wanted to sniff literally everything. He wouldn’t have enjoyed a long, fast walk at all.

WillowtreeHouse · 01/05/2023 08:27

Nordicrain · 01/05/2023 08:19

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.

Show quote history

Absolutely agree with this. Mumsnet is accused of many things (even by the OP on this thread), but it's members are usually pretty good at spotting a disingenuous post. I reckon the faux 'wondering' is where the accusations of smugness may have come from OP.

LolaSmiles · 01/05/2023 08:29

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. 😉
Agree with this.

I used to do canine-cross training and fell running with one of my dogs but after developing a health condition this wasn't possible. Like a previous poster said, situations can change quite quickly and our canine companions do adapt. Mine have got used to a mix of garden time, long walks, off lead walks and shorter lead walks. Attributing superior mortality to unusually high levels of exercising with our pets is foolish in my opinion.

Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:29

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/05/2023 08:25

I'm a professional dog walker and own a beagle myself - and, shockingly, he didn't get a walk at all yesterday - he spent his day upside-down and snoring in various positions, occasionally moving to beg for food or go for a poo Grin

Dogs don't need multiple walks every single day to be fit or happy. A day off is fine. One good quality walk a day is fine.

Walking a dog multiple times a day, every single won't necessarily give you a tired, happy and content dog either.

Well as I write this, he’s sprawled across my daughter and I having his tummy scratched and his eyes are literally rolling to back of his head as he’s in such a blissful trance… so he looks pretty happy!

OP posts:
Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:31

I can't understand why people read mumsnet in front of their children.

My children are grown up and I never did it when they were at home.

It's really not a website that is suitable for children with the swearing and I just don't understand why anyone would read such an adult website in front of their children. It makes no sense to me.

Wereongunoil · 01/05/2023 08:31

My dog didn't get a walk at all yesterday.
She did a day's worth of scentwork.
She was so tired by the end of the day, it was a struggle to get her out for her bedtime tiddle.

There's plenty of ways to exercise a dog other than the standard walk

isthismylifenow · 01/05/2023 08:33

Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:29

Well as I write this, he’s sprawled across my daughter and I having his tummy scratched and his eyes are literally rolling to back of his head as he’s in such a blissful trance… so he looks pretty happy!

Show quote history

He's probably grateful about the one on one attention and some rest.

KvotheTheBloodless · 01/05/2023 08:33

My dogs are just as happy with their 30 minute walks as their 4 hour walks.

Sure they are Hmm

Original poster
Bamboozleme · 01/05/2023 08:33

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:31

I can't understand why people read mumsnet in front of their children.

My children are grown up and I never did it when they were at home.

It's really not a website that is suitable for children with the swearing and I just don't understand why anyone would read such an adult website in front of their children. It makes no sense to me.

One of the oddest threads I’ve ever read on mumsnet

do you honestly think my 12 year old daughter is sitting next to me looking at my phone. Her boring old mum! She’s watching a bloody awful American teen drama and scrolling for a new pair of sandals! 😂

OP posts:
DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 08:33

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:31

I can't understand why people read mumsnet in front of their children.

My children are grown up and I never did it when they were at home.

It's really not a website that is suitable for children with the swearing and I just don't understand why anyone would read such an adult website in front of their children. It makes no sense to me.

Eh? My children don’t read over my shoulder, they know it’s rude. They are currently in the room with me but can’t see the screen on my phone. Just like I don’t read their screens over their shoulders.

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:34

Why do people let their children watch American teen dramas.

I don't understaaaaaaaand. Please can someone tell me how this happens.

isthismylifenow · 01/05/2023 08:35

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:31

I can't understand why people read mumsnet in front of their children.

My children are grown up and I never did it when they were at home.

It's really not a website that is suitable for children with the swearing and I just don't understand why anyone would read such an adult website in front of their children. It makes no sense to me.

😂😂

This thread just keeps on giving.

Nordicrain · 01/05/2023 08:35

KvotheTheBloodless · 01/05/2023 08:33

My dogs are just as happy with their 30 minute walks as their 4 hour walks.

Sure they are Hmm

Depends on the dog and breed surely. My dog is fairly small and doesn't need a lot of exercise. She would definitely prefer a 15 min sniff around the woods than a 4 hr powerwalk.

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:36

(I'm being sarcastic about the reading mumsnet in front of children. I'm trying to echo the op's faux naivety.)

DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 08:37

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:36

(I'm being sarcastic about the reading mumsnet in front of children. I'm trying to echo the op's faux naivety.)

I realised that, too late 😂

WillowtreeHouse · 01/05/2023 08:39

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:31

I can't understand why people read mumsnet in front of their children.

My children are grown up and I never did it when they were at home.

It's really not a website that is suitable for children with the swearing and I just don't understand why anyone would read such an adult website in front of their children. It makes no sense to me.

I might be really thick by assuming that you are on the wrong thread but if you're not, I am not reading this out to my daughter. Nor am I waving my phone in front of her so she can read it so you can probably unclench. 😂

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:40

@WillowtreeHouse I was being sarcastic.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/05/2023 08:40

Well as I write this, he’s sprawled across my daughter and I having his tummy scratched and his eyes are literally rolling to back of his head as he’s in such a blissful trance… so he looks pretty happy!

I didn't say dogs who were walked multiple times a day everyday couldn't be happy, did I?

I said it wasn't necessary. Missing a day is fine. One good quality walk a day is fine. And if you're busy, a couple of shorter walks a day is also fine 🤷‍♀️

WillowtreeHouse · 01/05/2023 08:40

Reasonableadjustments · 01/05/2023 08:36

(I'm being sarcastic about the reading mumsnet in front of children. I'm trying to echo the op's faux naivety.)

Ok so it turns out that I AM thick. 🫣