My colleague doesn't take her two dogs for a walk, what should I say?

[crossedwires]

my friend has two border collies aged 6(ish). THey are kept outside (they have a large shed style 'house' out there) until night time when they come in. They are both overweight. She has a massive garden but openly admits she nevers walks them. Doesn't have the time. They are lovely dogs and I cannot help thinking this is wrong. We are work colleagues but not friends as such though we do get along well. I did express my surprise when she told me they don't get walked. What would you do?

Hmmm, I have a daft staffy cross - I got him whilst at home, my mum is disabled and the dog loved her company all day and hated being left for more than a few hours.
When I left home I had to decide to either take him with me, where he would get walked twice daily, but left for up to 10 hours per day, or leave him with my mum who cannot walk him at all, but has a large garden and is in all day, my bro still lives at home but works 14 hour shifts so doesn't get to walk him that often either.
He stayed with mum and is well loved, happy and play fights with my bro all the time, he doesn't get walked that regularly but he's fine.

lamb - i havent responded to the suggestions because i don't know what to say to her. I can't help her myself, I am not a dog owner yet, i dont know any teens who could help, she doesdn't live near me. I'll keep my mouth shut and my opninions to myself. Incidentally, there are no medical reasons why thry dont get walked, just she says theres no time and they pull

we were only discussing dogs in the first place because i was telling her i will be getting one sometime soon etc.

All the people saying 'well my dog doesn't get walked every day and they're fine' - the dogs described by the OP are a pair of border collies. Anybody who has seen what a fit, well trained collie is capable of, and enjoys doing with every fibre of their being, would regard it as outright cruelty to not exercise this type of dog every day.

Fair enough for an elderly or injured dog, or a even a genuinely sentient type of dog, but I still believe that all dogs need a good walk once per day. With the very rare exception of those dogs who have had a traumatic early experience and are scared of the outside world it's the simplest thing you can do to bring joy and good health to a dog's life. It's totally free and good for humans as well. I don't understand why you wouldn't!? (Again, excepting anyone that physically can't.)

Good point, toboldlygo. Our two are staff crosses.

that's my thinking toboldlygo...... confused by the amount whose views differ

If it was a friend, it would be easy to say something, but since you don't know her well it makes it harder to help. She could teach them not to pull or walk them on a harness which would make it easier for her. Border collies need a lot of exercise/mental stimulation. As my vet puts it, if you don't give them a job they will find one of their own. I think there was another thread about a border collie not being walked recently. I feel sad for the dogs, but I also wouldn't know what to say to her. If she brings it up again, you could maybe suggest a harness, but stick to what you feel comfortable with.

Collies do not need masses of exercise What they do need is masses and masses of brain work.

What is wrong is just talking about this to your colleague - you could mention your concerns and also your lack of dog knowledge, she may be able to reply saying that although they are not walked for miles they have a lot of mental stimulation and exercise at home. She may have reasons for this. If not you could discuss in a friendly way a local dog walker etc IF this appears necessary.

I have a reactive collie that I am fostering at the moment who would die a hundred deaths if I took her on a walk out and about - we are working on it but she is exercised and mentally stimulated and is relaxed and happy in familiar surrondings (as long as the birds don't sing, the wind doesn't blow, a car does not go by, another dog does not bark etc etc). The aim of course is to get her to enjoy the great outdoors and she will but it will take time.

Hi toboldlygo, I do agree with you, unfortunately life didn't go the way we expected and my mum became unable to walk him, he is a happy dog with lots of stimulation and company (which is what he loves the most), I agree it's not ideal and for that reason we wouldn't have another dog, but he's now 12 and sorted in his ways and my mum wouldn't part with him for all the gold in the world, he will hopefully live out his older years as a very spoilt pet.

No argument from me Snoopy re: brain exercise and your example is why I included the caveat about the few dogs that really can't enjoy walks because of their fears of noise/cars/people/dogs/whatever.

Ratbag, also note the bit about people who can't - dog in your example sounds perfectly happy and well cared for, whereas a neurotic collie/GSD/husky or something may well have gone nuts and started shredding the house apart in the same scenario.

I think it's a difficult one, not ideal but my mutt would tear the house up left alone, where as he has my mum perfectly trained and gets his cup of tea at 10am, his denta stick at 12, his tea at three and his joint care stick at 5, mum laughs and says he gets all squeeky (typical staffy trait) if mum goes past one minute!

Just sticking my oar in here - I think I would have to say something, even if it was to suggest a dog walker. Why can't someone else walk them I wonder?! Walking them would be the best bit imho

Dogs will fit in with expectations, in my opinion. My dog loves a walk, but will accept the odd day when that does not happen. If the dogs have a big garden, and the potential to run around, they will accept it.
People are also expected to exercise, but we don't report them when they don't. As long as the dogs are healthy, I would think there was no problem.

I would absolutely say something, the dogs can't talk, so who else can be their voice ? In fact, I would go so far as to voice my disapproval & not bother with her other than for work reasons.

I've got a dog & even I manage a quick walk around the block at the very minimum. Why have a dog(s) like that if you can't be bothered to walk & it's an odd thing to boast about...?

Just read your comment about her saying there is no time...tell her to get up earlier (lazy cow )

OP , you sound very judgemental. What is to you? You mentioned that there is nothing you can do to help, so you would just be a busybody.

Cannot understand people who have to comment on how others bring up their dogs or children, for that matter.

It's none of your business.

You should call the RSPCA. This is a clear case of neglect and dog welfare issue of the highest order!

Alot of people in this country neglect their dogs
Why would you have a dog if you do not like going for a walk with it.A dog reguarly walked dog is a happy dog....and people wonder why their dog has behavioural problems.
Yes say something casually but put the idea in her head that her way of caring for her dogs is not ideal.And you lot,get of here and give those poor dogs a walk.You will both feel better for it.

I agree - these owners should never be allowed to keep dogs. The RSPCA should round them all up and put them in the pound. At least they'd get their daily walks!

The dogs, that is, not the owners.

My dog is an RSPCA rescue, she'd never been outside but was also underfed so I'm not sure if they'd have removed her 'just' because she wasn't walked.

Notmostpeople, thank you for giving the dog a new home :)

In general terms, a dog is supposed to have the five freedoms, one of which is the 'freedom to exercise normal behaviour' or words to that effect. So it depends whether a walk is necessary for a dog to exercise normal behaviours. I looked up the RSPCA guidelines and they say you should ?exercise your dog regularly to keep him fit, healthy and active. Give your dog the opportunity to run every day, unless your vet recommends otherwise.?

Every dog has different requirements for physical and mental exercise, and as Snoopy says above some dogs couldn't handle a daily walk. But if a dog's needs aren't met it will manifest in some kind of behavioural or health problem. There's an interesting article here about the legalities.

OP, sorry about the thread hijack. I would guess that in this case, since the dogs are overweight the vet will say something at their next checkup and hopefully they will help her solve the problem.

i'm not going to say anything but i might casuallty drop a question or two out there over lunch. Just food for thought. ......... To me it s very wrong. BC's are working dogs are thy not? oh well, I shall make her feel a tad guilty if i can

I think everyone is aware that dogs should get exercise. I imagine OP's work colleague knows it too. How do we know that the colleague doesn't throw ball or play other games with the dogs in the garden? That is exercise as well, and would involve physical running around.

We also know that children should get their five a day and eat fresh meals. Would you really make judgeypants comments to a colleague who feeds her children supermarket meals? Have you not read the fish finger threads in the aibu section? You would get lynched it you mentioned that you were getting your knickers in a bunch about what how other mums feed, play or otherwise bring up their children.

Same with dogs, IMO. Unless there is real abuse, best to let sleeping dogs lie