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 walk mine every day, and can't imagine not doing it. Mine doesn't get a walk in the morning (just outside for toileting first thing), but on my lunchbreak for an hour (wfh). I agree with you, OP. If you want a dog, it has to be walked every day, or certainly almost every day, and this includes going out in rain, hail and storms.

Same.

I grew up with feral and rural cat colonies and firmly believe cats should be outdoor animals, that being in captivity your whole life is an AWFUL way to live, that they should have fresh air, excersize, stimulation for their natural instincts and socialization as they are semi wild.

However my two wont leave the house because they are over pampered domesticated soft shites.

Some time what we think 'should be best' on paper isn't reality and the animal had entirely different ideas. Just like some humans hate rain, cold, excersize, wind, noise, socialization and so on so do some pets.

Even if the dog hates it and actively chooses to run back to bed, or cowers, or plants its' feet?

I met someone last week, a man, with a beautiful German shepherd..... that needs 6 hours every day!

Course they do

I totally agree with you - I've got a neighbour with two dogs (admittedly small ones) and I've not seen those dogs leave the house since she moved in about 7 years ago.

You see it all the time on mumsnet though...people asking what breed is suitable for them (multiple kids, have an hour a day max to exercise it)...and people suggesting spaniels and retrievers. What's worse though is if you suggest those breeds aren't suitable then you (I.e. me) get lambasted for being some evil gatekeeper.

Me and the kids still go for a walk if it's raining. My dog, however, flat out refuses to join us.

Luckily he's a little lap dog type breed so doesn't go stir crazy without a good run.

Perhaps people went out earlier so you didn't see them?

My greyhound will go out in the rain but if it's really cold and filthy out, she looks at me as if to say "You are joking, right?"

And if it's icy, absolutely no chance.

She doesn't go mad if she doesn't go out though, she just throws her octopus around a bit and does zoomies for her exercise.

Just been for a rainy walk and saw more people than usual!

Our boy doesn't like rain, wind or the dark. He gets a short walk in those circumstances and absolutely loves it once he's out.

We've noticed that there's a lot more dog poo lying about in summer, so not only fair-weather dog owners, but lazy and disgusting too

I voted YABU because my tiny breeds hate the rain and won't even go out to pee.

If I tried to walk them in the rain they'd hate me.

If it's a rainy day they're fine without a walk.

If I had an energetic labrador I probably wouldn't have a choice but they do fine without a walk we just play indoors

Mine doesn't do that. If my dog refused to go out in the rain I wouldn't force it to, but as far as I know, the dogs that won't go out in rain are the minority. But really, my point is, if someone gets a dog then they have to be prepared to walk it in all weathers, because most dogs are ok with that.

I have a small dog (shihtzu cross) and he goes out between 3 and 5 times per day. I used to take him for longer walks 2-3 times per day but now he is a senior it seems to suit him better to do 3 x 20 mins approx plus 2 x 10mins. I drive him to different locations everyday (not necessarily far away, maybe just the next new build estate down or a local park) so he meets different dogs and gets different smells etc.

I see lots of owners who do walk their dogs but they seem to go the same routes every day which must be boring for the dog. Mine does get to go round his local estate on his two 10 minute toilet break walks so he can mark his territory. The other 3 he will be away somewhere else.

It's a full time job some days between this and making his meals (I always put chicken, fish or liver) into his dog food and then of course he likes me to play with his toys and he likes his interactive games filled up. Then of course he gets tablets, goes to the groomers and the vets regularly. Even just booking appointments, ordering food and keeping his probiotics in the house is all work.
I'm constantly washing his blankets and rugs too as he drags in dirt and makes everything dirty.

If I go somewhere that I can take him ie the hairdressers then I will (the hairdressers all love him and fuss over him) and the bank lets you take him in too as he enjoys these little social outings too.

It seems there are dogs living in houses on my estate who I didn't know existed as they never get walked (only know because someone who was outraged told me). Quite a few neighbours have dogs that I see going out from time to time but I don't see them going out every day.

My dog takes a massive amount of effort and time but that's what I signed up for.

I feel very sorry for these dogs stuck at home on their own.

Haven't rtft so apologies if someone else has pointed this out already. Lots of rescues are too anxious to be walked. Walking is not essential if you can compensate with games, puzzles and play. Zoomies, games and scenting in our garden is much better for my dog if she's had trigger stacking on an earlier walk. Also, she's another that won't go out in the rain, screams like a banshee if we get caught in a shower whilst out.
I love a walk in the rain so I just go on my own.
Totally depends on the dog imo.

Ha, yes.

Lots of threads in the Doghouse like that at the moment, including one where it's all (unsurprisingly) gone wrong - and posters are being criticised for saying it was inevitable and the dog was let down from the start.

Honestly, what you describe sounds both extreme and unnecessary.

Exactly. Yes, dogs need some effort, but not full time if you choose a breed that mostly fits your life.

which part is 'extreme' and 'unnecessary' - walking him, feeding him, playing with him, taking him to vets and groomers.

Just interested which bit I should stop doing as it is too 'extreme'

I really hope you don't have a dog

Also, why have a dog if you continually pass it off to others while you're out or working. Someone I know now has around 6 different houses the dog is passed to. That can't be fair on the dog

Sorry did my post make you feel guilty about how you treat your own dog.

My dog fits into my life just fine. I am happy to do all these things for him. He is a small dog (shihtzu cross).

He is a joy to be with. It's obviously not 'full time' like 8 hours a day - but constant through out the day popping out with him, sorting his meals, washing his blankets, driving him to groomers etc. I do it in between other things of course like housework, gardening, watching films, admin, my own life stuff

"Constant" washing of bedding? How often? Chuck a duvet cover over the bed / dog cushions and wash that once a week in winter and fortnightly in summer. Have dog towels at the door and wash those instead of all the soft furnishings. They go in with the human stuff.

"Work" keeping probiotics (really?) available? Making fancy dog food each day? If you choose to make work for yourself, you crack on.

Food though is pretty basic stuff for a pet.

My Staffie would not go out in the rain, it was an effort to get him to go wee outside if it was wet. He was more than happy to go out in a blizzard though. Contrary beastie.

No dog needs five walks a day, and they certainly don't need to be driven to different location for each one - nor do they need (or want) to go to the hairdressers with you

By all means crack on if you enjoy it, but it's hardly essential is it? In fact, many dogs would find what you describe incredibly stressful and overwhelming.

My dog needs about 30-45 mins a day walking or she gets naughty. In fine weather she gets two 1.5 hour walks a day. So more than she needs. In wet weather she gets 1 45min walk per day. Yes it’s the bare minimum but she gets what she needs. She’s ok when it’s wet, muddy or snowing but if there’s wind she won’t move lol