Are you still walking your dog?

[Marilynmansonsothereye]

I have heard mostly that walks ourside are okay. But if the virus lives in air for 3 hours? What about opening gates, leaning on things to tie one's shoelace, picking up crap and putting it into a bin (a surface someone else may have touched, 9 hours it can survive on that)? Passing people in street?

I like to run with my dog. Urban setting but long stretches of greenery, easy to not see people and stay a safe distance away. I'm not isolating but I'm only going outside to go to work, nothing else. If it's totally safe I'll still run with my dog but I'm unsure.

even in Italy under lockdown and in China people were allowed to walk dogs. (and for health) in open spaces that is. Just be mindful.

Yes just not going near other people

We're not in a lock down, are we?

Why wouldn't I walk my dog? Wash your hand when you back home though.

We are very fortunate to live next to the forest so it's very easy to stay away from other people so yes, we're still walking our dogs.

Surely it disperses quickly in the air outside. It wont just hang in a wee cloud over your head. Use hand sanitizer if you touch a surface (if you're lucky enough to have any). You will not pass it on by walking past someone unless they cough or sneeze into one of your orifices

It’s fairly safe to run with your dog.

Whilst the virus can live in the air for 3 hrs that is worst case scenario, everything I’ve heard says it falls onto a surface fairly quickly.

As for opening gates, tying shoelaces etc you just need to not touch your face, particularly eyes, nose and mouth until you’ve washed your hands.

I mean you wont catch it rather than pass it on

Yes we will continue to walk our dog, in the countryside.

Provided you keep distance between you and others then it's okay, even in the city.

It's probably best not to use dog poo bins as you're right that it survives on surfaces (for longer than 9 hours)- if you do need to lean on something or to use a dog poo bin then just wear a disposable glove or open it with a bag and then immediately put sanitizer on OR wait until the end of the walk to put it in the bin so that you can wash your hands afterwards.

Running might be more tricky unless you can run where you're unlikely to bump into anyone.

I'm not and not sure whether I'm being too OTT but the bottom line is I have a cough which has got worse, a sore throat and runny nose and have been told to stay in as I have asthma so,.

We have a big garden, my dog hasn't asked to go out, I think it helps that we aren't going out so she's not anxious to go with us and she doesn't know it yet but I have several new toys waiting for her.

Still walking dog- keeping social distances but out in big open fields.
It’s keeping me sane.

Yes

We’ve got horses which we still have to go and see twice a day so we’re taking doggo to the yard with us - dog and I go and poo pick the field and have a charge about while DH mucks out

If you are social distancing you can Walk dog if you are self isolating you can't leave the house at all for any reason
Unless you are being taken to hospital or are told t
o go to a testing station

I went walking with a friend and her dog earlier in the week. The only thing that was touched was the bin (guess it would be possible for many to carry the poo bag with them to avoid bins).

We managed to push gates open with arms, keep distance from eachother and others. For now, we'll continue. Good safe exercise and social company for as long as possible is a good way to go.

Yes have walked her twice a day as usual. Definitely seen fewer people than usual but all those I've seen have been considerate and stayed a good distance away as do I.

@TeacupDrama you have it. I've had digs on threads about my dog but I am self isolating which surely means you don't go out for anything.

I am self isolating but have taken my dog for a quick 20 minute walk well away from others. If I saw someone on my side of the road, I crossed. We don’t do lead walks near others anyway as a rule as dog barks at other dogs while on lead. I didn’t touch anything and if he pooed would bag and take home. I cleaned the front door on my return to protect anyone who may knock or deliver post. I am well btw but SI due to a family member having a coigh. Dog would go loopy if made to stay in and it seems more risky to hand him over to someone else to walk than take him myself. Interested to hear what others are doing.

Yes but just keeping my distance.

I live within 10 minutes of a very large beach. I walk my dog 3 times a day. There hasn’t been a single soul on the beach for the past week. I will continue to walk my dog - she doesn’t ask for much

We're still walking our client's dogs, with loads of soap and water in the van for hand washing between every household, and outdoor 'check point charlie' pickups in the garden using our own leashes when people are working from home. On a personal level I haven't touched another human being for over two weeks now, I haven't been out socially, when I go to the shop I use scanner and contactless, and I'm finally grateful to the in-law who has no imagination and has given me so much soap and other toiletries for birthdays and christmases over the years!

We are lucky to have several thousand acres of accessible woodland available to safely walk off lead.

If you're social distancing then yes.

If you're self isolating because you're symptomatic, over 70 or very vulnerable then no.

I'm in France, just got back from walking the dog. Poor thing is not used to all this exercise. It is one of the permitted reasons for leaving the house.

You are not allowed to drive anywhere to walk the dog though, and the beaches are forbidden. (to stop people coming out to enjoy the sunshine)

Srill walking mine (she won't wee or poo in the garden ) but mine is mostly off lead in the countryside so it's not difficult to stay at a distance. I am far more at risk from other members of my own family frankly ( a Nurse, a Care worker, TA)

@scarlettpixie if self isolating because of any symptoms however mild you really should not step outside your front door and only in garden if more than 2 metres from fences etc ( not for shopping or visits to pharmacy or to exercise or dog walking absolutely zilch) someone else should walk dog or dog should go elsewhere until self isolation finishes or you need the youtube about how to exercise dog indoors

if you are self isolating because of being in a vulnerable group it might be marginally different as you are not actually a danger to anyone apart from yourself if symptom free but as city nurse says
" stay home unless you want to be intubated by a gynaecologist"

@teacupdrama

This is from gov website.

“If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms that may be caused by coronavirus, then household members must stay at home and not leave your house for 14 days (more information in the ending self-isolation section below). If possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials, other than exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in your house became ill.“

I assumed this meant I could take dog with me to exercise so long as at a safe distance.

To add. I have no symptoms.