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Original poster

If outdoor exercising is banned, what about dog walking?

90 replies

namechangemania · 06/04/2020 12:46

Are they exempt? Expected to just use their garden for dog exercise? What about dog owners without gardens?

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 07/04/2020 08:12

Hi Panic

He's fine at the moment. Starting to change his habits, will wee in the garden often but is still more reluctant to poo.

It isn't a behaviour, as such, more a habit. One he will need time to overcome. We have taken him out for 4 or 5 toilet walks a day since he was very young, once we noticed his preference. It hasn't been a problem until now.

Just as walking him has been done until now. Our courtyard garden is fine for sunbathing and lounging around, but he needs to go outside for a walk, to get a run. We have a great space right on our doorstep, so again, until now that hasn't been a problem.

He'll get there, as will most other dogs. I just wanted to explain to non dog owners that the difference in guidelines isn't preferential treatment, just an understanding of how dogs work!

Tonyaster · 07/04/2020 08:16

Cats wee and poo in houses without it being a “biohazard”. Get a litter tray. Dogs are meant to be smarter than cats anyway

It never fails to amaze me how people who might describe themselves as loving animals actually know nothing about them.

In all countries under stricter lockdown than the UK you can take dogs outside to poo.

midnightstar66 · 07/04/2020 08:29

Litter trays are aimed specifically around cats natural toileting behaviours. Dogs as a different species have different behaviours. Imagine a male dog trying to cock it's leg and pee in to a tray... it would end up all up the walls. The size/weight of most dogs would tip a tray all over the floor. I'm sure you were deliberately being ridiculous anyway but to have a dog piss and shit all over the house because you can clean it anyway - really?! Hmm

cherryblossomgin · 07/04/2020 08:31

My mum doesn't have a garden and her dog would happily not go a walk. He would happily pop out to do his business and then go back up the stairs. How is not having a garden cruel? For certain breeds and temperaments it might be an issue. We have had dogs all our life and never had a garden and they were happy dogs.

Itsjustthesame · 07/04/2020 08:38

While one can only guess at what might happen if hope that we go for more like the Ireland type lockdown - not more than 2km from home - which should mean being able to walk them up and down a bit.

isthismylifenow · 07/04/2020 08:40

I'm not in UK and am on strict lockdown. No the dogs may not leave the property, walking them is not classed as essential. I have two big dogs. They have managed just fine without being walked. They just need stimulating in other ways. Luckily I do have a garden through, but I will be honest and say that if I didn't have a garden, I would not have got two big dogs in the first place. It's a big change for everyone and this includes our animals. But they are fine. And we are abiding by the rules. If I was arrested that isn't going to help them much.

TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead · 07/04/2020 08:44

Haha to all you nutters who think dogs can be kept indoors Grin

If that is decided, I’ll just have to do secret night walks

Some people are so keen to lock down the country and make flat livers and dog owners suffer. Some of you are so miserable and hate dogs and dog owners so much you are salivating at the thought of a total lock down

Can’t decide if it is sad or funny Grin, both I guess

SarahInAccounts · 07/04/2020 08:44

Bloody hell, are we really suggesting that we let dogs piss and shit in the house? It's a fucking biohazard.

And yet cat owners manage.

50 metres seems about right, as long as people clean up.

Tonyaster · 07/04/2020 08:48

Yes I live in the wide open countryside with no neighbours and the nearest village is full of dogs and dog walkers. We also have very few cases still, so I expect we would all just walk our dogs as normal, as unless the virus is properly airborne (which it isn't) there would be no increased risk. All gates on major footpaths that don't cross fields with livestock have been tied back and signs on all crossings reminding people to use hand sanitiser, keep dogs on leads (this is currently fucking me off as some people still not doing it) and not to approach farm and estate staff.

Tonyaster · 07/04/2020 08:50

Some people are so keen to lock down the country and make flat livers and dog owners suffer. Some of you are so miserable and hate dogs and dog owners so much you are salivating at the thought of a total lock down yes, which is why in the interest of balance I like to remind those people that a lot of people will just ignore the rules, whilst being 100% sure they are not spreading the virus.

17million · 07/04/2020 08:53

Surely it's only "nice" for dogs to go outside too? As for what will happen, rickets is an obvious one, beyond just basically getting fat and unfit and MH issues. All the same things that would be issues for dogs,.I imagine.

Maybe people and dogs without gardens should get priority?

2 and a bit weeks in - and are people seriously thinking like this.
I am sure dogs don't get rickets or mental health issues.
I hope you are joking with the last comment Hmm

AgentProvocateur · 07/04/2020 08:53

Dog walking is not allowed here. Lots of talk of puppy pads. I’m not a dog owner so I don’t know what they are - nappies for dogs?

Tonyaster · 07/04/2020 08:54

Dogs definitely get MH issues!

Tonyaster · 07/04/2020 08:54

Where are you agentprovocateur?

okiedokieme · 07/04/2020 08:55

I have a large garden but I'm pretty sure even in countries with strict lockdowns they are allowing dogs to visit nearby lampposts

cherrytree63 · 07/04/2020 09:02

50 metres?
In my small village with so many dog owners, families exercising etc how on earth would we maintain social distancing?
Or would we be issued timetables to spread the use of the streets?

AgentProvocateur · 07/04/2020 09:04

Sorry @Tonyaster - I should have said. I’m in Dubai.

Dances · 07/04/2020 09:08

Ah let them shit all over the house. If I can't go out, why the fuck should Fido. Selfish fucker

fiftyval · 07/04/2020 09:16

To 'Sarahinaccounts' saying "and yet cat owners manage" - most cats round here crap all over other people's gardens - much quoted ' right to roam' . Dog owners aren't allowed to release their dogs out to crap at will on private property.

Tonyaster · 07/04/2020 09:18

Yes cats shitting in my garden are annoying. I hose them.

SleepWithTheFishes · 07/04/2020 09:26

And yet cat owners manage.

Yes, by using my front border as a toilet, it seems.

I am sure dogs don't get rickets or mental health issues.

A career in veterinary medicine is not for you, then. They get both.

MadisonAvenue · 07/04/2020 09:34

Tonyaster They certainly do, in my dog stress shows itself with stomach issues, lack of appetite and dandruff and it only takes the slightest change in routine for him to be affected.

CockCarousel · 07/04/2020 09:36

I'm pretty sure my cats would be apoplectic with rage if the dog tried to gain entry into their litter box, which would lead to various pissing competitions around the house from felines and canine. He also holds it in to avoid using the tiny back garden. He must have a bladder of galvanised steel.

I was stopped by police yesterday, (they were stopping everyone with a dog) and reminded to only allow him off his lead if he has a solid recall and we're in a wide open space with no people in sight. His recall isn't yet reliable enough to allow that, so he's a bit frustrated.

If outdoor exercising is banned, what about dog walking?
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 07/04/2020 09:41

Explain to me then, why a dog's need for exercise is greater than mine

Do you need to shit outside? Because, admittedly, if you did then your need is indeed as great as my dogs'.

SleepWithTheFishes · 07/04/2020 10:14

Explain to me then, why a dog's need for exercise is greater than mine

I really wish someone would explain to me, mn's obsession with ranking every creature in the world, according to some predetermined view of importance.

I think it's weird and often an overly blunt tool for complex matters.

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