Why have a dog if you cant be arsed to walk it?

[FreyaFromTheFens]

I have 2 large breed dogs that need a lot of exercise, running off lead for a couple of hours a day minimum. We go twice a day every day no excuse.

I very rarely meet other dog walkers in bad weather and on facebook in the dog groups i'm in so many people were asking for advise on keeping dogs sane as they wouldn't be getting walks due to the bad weather!

Dogs thrive on being outside and need to run, sniff and interact with other dogs. I understand there are exceptions to this, elderly/sick or nervous dogs but generally they need to get out in all weathers.

Just put a fucking coat on and walk them, it's only rain and then the dog will settle. Hiding dry dog food in a toy is no substitute! 🙄

I know i'm not being unreasonable but want to know why you are if you don't walk in the rain?

I really like dogs but I don't have one precisely because I don't want to go out walking every day, especially in crap weather.

Dog ownership has changed so much over my lifetime. Many of them today are not true dog-lovers, I would actually call them dog-abusers.

I'm a dog walker so I'm out with dogs whatever the weather.

However, some dogs genuinely hate it. They will cower, hide, plant their feet - it's not (imo) kind to force them outside just because some human somewhere has decided that all dogs need an arbitrary amount of exercise everyday.

My own dog will happily sleep all day when it's really raining. When he was younger I used to encourage him out but he's six now and honestly I'm quite happy to skip the odd day if it's torrential.

One of my dogs won’t walk in heavy rain or strong winds. For being a Scottish dog born and bred for the Scottish weather, he’s extremely adverse to the weather changes that occur here so when we get rain and wind he will refuse to step outside. But he doesn’t get upset or destructive at the lack of walking, he loves to lounge about and provided there’s been enough mental stimulation during the day he’s relatively calm at all times.

Our other dog couldn’t give a fig what the weather is like, whether it’s howling a gale or thundering it down, if she doesn’t get out for a walk the house will be chewed to bits by midday. No amount of mental stimulation will exhaust her, she needs the physical exercise.

It entirely depends on the temperament of the dog. But if you’re wanting your dog to skip physical exercise on shitty weather days then ensure you’ve got enough stimulation for them at home.

Different dogs have different needs.

Some dogs will need to be exercised in whatever the weather is. Some dogs have more specific preferences and are lower energy. Owners should consider how breeds are likely to suit their lifestyle and meet the needs of their individual dogs. Forcing a reluctant dog out unnecessarily for a drenching is not a virtue.

Depends on how bad it is. Normal rain fine, torrential rain/storms I wouldn’t take them as it would freak them out especially the youngest. We do have a big grass area next to our house so if there is the odd lull we can take them out there for a run around and of course play with them inside.

Totally agree. I've a large breed and he needs to get out every day. Just wear a coat! He doesn't mind the rain. In 5 years there was only one day that he didn't like it much and it was absolutely torrential so I agreed with him and we went back home. Other than that, its every day rain or shine.

I am with you. I’m up and out for at least an hour every morning and 30 mins in evening. But then I got a big breed that needs the exercise and just know he’ll be a dick head of not exercised. I did this deliberately as I was becoming a lazy arse myself. I now do lots of steps and get out everyday. So win win all round.

My dog from my childhood was a lazy git, didn't like walking in any weather.

My dog absolutely hates a walk when it's raining. So we do have to compromise. Literally a walk long enough for a poo and all is well. She isn't then hyper due to lack of exercise .

Saying that my greyhound was a lazy git who hated rain. He was happy to say asleep on the sofa alll day and night long!

I am always astonished by the number of people who say to me 'did you go out today?' (when the weather is bad) and I say 'well, yes, the dog has to go out whatever the weather is doing.' I mean, what do they think, I just let her piss all over the carpet because it's raining?

She doesn't LOVE the rain and can be a bit sulky if it's really pouring, but once we get out and moving she's fine, and I'd rather have a slightly sulky, damp dog than a bored one pestering me all the time.

This is so true. So many irresponsible, self-indulgent owners who treat dogs like humans, to the extent that it's bad for the dog.

I agree. A relative dumped their dog on us for a few weeks while they had an op (i said no they dropped off when dh was here ) with some intense instructions. Eg dog sleeps on sofa or bed, likes to go to shops and cafes and be carried (wtf)

So I got a crate. Had 3 nights of crying now loves the safe space . Introduced 2 walks a day and not taken dog to any cafes or shops . Relative said dog identifies as a person (again wtf) I said well look after him yourself or accept that we are helping him with his identity

And so many pointing out that dogs vary, by breed and individual temperament. Some need lots of exercise every day, some don't.

They all need a certain amount of physical and mental exercise, but very different amounts. So.it is impossible to generalise.

I walk my Labrador rain or shine, hail or snow twice a day for about 1.5 hours in total, 95% is off lead and we do a lot of ball fetching, so she's running and getting lots of sniffs in.

We've always done this no matter what including when I've been pregnant or with a newborn

I agree with you though, every single one of neighbours in my village have a dog or dogs and I other than the elderly lady at the end of the lane who I see out religiously with her elderly small dog (for a potter up the lane), I don't see my neighbours out especially not in poor weather. It's something I think all the time.

I agree with you. I have three labradors that need lots of exercise, so they go out in all weather. On the plus side, it's nice to have parks etc to ourselves 😊

Responsible owners
a - work.out what they can offer and choose (as far as possible) a dog that fits those parameters

And b - then adjust to.meet their dog's specific needs

There's a charity, can't remember which one, but it keeps popping up on my Facebook feed, suggesting people raise money with the 'challenge' of walking your dog 2 miles every day for a month or something. How the hell is that a challenge? 2 miles should be the absolute bare minimum for the vast majority of dogs! My lab gets 5 miles a day everyday and even then I worry she should have more! And stop taking your dogs to cafe's and shops and town events (carnivals, fairgrounds, parades, remembrance events etc.) drives me up the wall dogs being at everything.😃

But not everyone has three working dogs who need lots of exercise

Lots of dogs are quite happy to skip a day when it's miserable. Thankfully mine is one of them - if I try and take him out in the rain, he'll run back to bed, lol.

For example, I wouldn't choose a labrador, although we had them growing up and they are lovely dogs. We lived in the country and my father was semi retired and could spend a couple of hours a day, all weathers, walking them.

We have a small-ish, low energy rescue dog who enjoys sniffing exercise, and tug of war at home, and doesn't like getting wet. So fits well with a city based, full-time working from home single parent.

Dogs need physical outlets, but I would actually say that there are MORE dogs that get a decent walk but insufficient mental stimulation so good on owners who provide opportunities to snuffle and forage alongside physical play. A dog can be tired but still bored. I appreciate kibble in a Kong gets old quickly but it's not all about getting steps in, especially for older dogs.

I have 2 spaniels and a small old terrier. The Spaniels need walking whatever the weather, the terrier is strictly a fair weather dog!

If its not walking for the owners benefit then its 100% wrong. If its because the dog isnt enjoying it then I dont see the problem....a dog walk is for the enrichment and pleasure of the dog. Its no fun for anybody dragging a miserable dog down the street!

My lot are tiny toy breeds and go out for short walks every day. The 12 and 15 yr old go 3 times and the 16 yr old usually comes out 2 times (at her discretion!).
We will do light rain but nobody enjoys heavy rain.
In fact given that between them they suffer from blindness, deafness, heart failure and dementia we really dont do any extreme of weather!

Although it constantly surprised me how many people thought that tiny dogs didnt need walking at all! Just a potter round the garden and maybe a little stroll once a week!😮
In their younger days my lot would happily do 5 mile walks and still be full of beans!

Had a cocker spaniel (sadly passed last year), would not step out the back doors if it was raining and would look at me as if to say ‘WTF, you think I’m going out in this?’ 🤣 Our current spaniels will go out in anything, so we have lots of winter covers for the sofas as it takes ages for them to dry off after a wet walk.