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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Walkies whilst on half term

13 replies

bluetea · 15/02/2017 10:42

Is it just me or is walking the dog whilst kids are on half term way more difficult?! I have a 14 month old cockapoo and a 4 year old. When DS is at school I take Barney for long walks through the woods etc but when there is no school and it is raining and cold DS just doesn't want to come and he finds it difficult to walk for a long time. I end up doing shorter walks and feel guilty that Barney isn't getting the walks that he is used to and needs. Any ideas of how to stimulate Barney without having to go on the long walks?

OP posts:

tobecontinued2000 · 15/02/2017 11:08

Can you not take your 4 year old with you? They can throw a ball or a stick for the dog, jump in puddles or if it's a path, could take a scooter or bike?

Freddorika · 15/02/2017 11:10

My 4 year olds would have come on the long walks

Cocobananas · 15/02/2017 11:37

Hi blue, I have just returned from a socialisation walk with a local dog trainer and three other dogs in a local park. We stayed on long lead, did lots of reward based training, practising walking past other dogs on lead, joggers, bikers etc and then had a coffee in the cafe. I worried that my young doodle cross wasn't having the exercise she normally has but she is crashed out in her bed. Could you take your son and dog to a park, feeding ducks for him, you dropping treats and practising sit and stay with dog etc or alternatively play with dog in garden and then come inside and teach a new trick, play hide and seek with a favourite toy..get your son to hide the toy and be involved. Wet days are the pits though.

GreenieGables · 15/02/2017 13:06

Yes, it feels like such a chore. My 3yo DS isn't too bad, he's got a lot of stamina and can go about 2.5/3 miles, but he's recovering from a bug and 1.5 miles is his max at the moment. But then my 6yo DD, wow, it's like pulling teeth trying to get her out. She has ASD and it's just so draining just getting her out the house. Then she moans and cries her way around, it's very draining.

I try and encorporate it with a trip to the park, or the shop, or posting a letter (I've posted two spoof letters this week just to get her out ). We're off to the woods later, but only because she is with my sister in law so I won't have to deal with her moaning!

Luckily my 12yo will often choose to come and she helps if I need to see to DD, or she holds the dog whilst we go into a shop.

I'm considering hiring a dog walker for the summer holidays!

BertrandRussell · 15/02/2017 13:08

"I'm considering hiring a dog walker for the summer holidays!"

Why, when you have a 12 year old?

GreenieGables · 15/02/2017 13:17

I didn't even think of that. Why on earth didn't that cross my mind. You genius Bert. That's that sorted then. She'll probably still charge me though .

Freddorika · 15/02/2017 13:28

Pay her! I pay dd to muck out all the horses in the holidays when I'm at work!

GreenieGables · 15/02/2017 13:30

I might add a few quid to her pocket money. I just asked her and she said 'yeh of course'. I honestly can't believe it didn't cross my mind.

BagelDog · 15/02/2017 13:38

We still manage a reasonable walk, but not as long as usual, so do a bit of obedience practice which wears ours out, and flinging tennis balls while the boys are on the swings. Often do a second shorter walk in the afternoon too as the boys manage two short walks better and the dogs get more of a leg stretch. We tend to take bikes on at least one walk as that gets the boys further, and bribery with a hot chocolate afterwards if we get to the stream / to the railway etc helps too...

knittingwithnettles · 15/02/2017 15:39

I've been walking a dog this half term. I found if you find an area with lots of other dogs, and just stand still, the dog does all the running around Racing backwards and forwards, playing etc uses up an enormous amount of energy. Other suggestion is borrow a heavy duty three wheeled mountain buggy. Although your chlld is past buggy age, there are occasions when it makes an outing possible Just like driving a tired child from A - b really, which plenty of people do, without thinking there is anything odd about it. Just because the dog is walking, doesn't mean your child has to walk the same distance.

Another friend with a dog plus child, might make all the difference too to child's desire to walk. My children found walks for the sake of them pointless at that age, they needed to think they were heading for something or that it was a social occasion.

luckylambchop · 15/02/2017 16:00

What about good old fashioned bribery? We are fortunate enough to have a lovely coffee van on the seafront and if my 8 yo comes walking with me I buy her a hot chocolate and it stops the moaning...temporarily anyway!

Sparklywine · 16/02/2017 19:15

I have just ordered a nerf tennis ball gun thrower thing from Amazon for my five year old, hoping this weapon-based bribe works! It is difficult, especially in the cold and wet, my sympathies. Chocolate also helps.

JustBeingJobless · 16/02/2017 23:50

School holidays throw me out completely as ddog normally gets walked both ends of the school day (10yo ds leaves/meets me on the park next to school every day) and I meet up with other dog walking school run parents. In the holidays, we all walk at different times so rarely see anyone and ds whinges when it's raining. I can leave him at home whilst I walk ddog but obviously not for too long at his age. Fortunately, ddog is 9 and couldn't care less whether she gets 10 minutes or 10 miles, but I feel guilty if she gets less than normal. Then I look at my neighbours two dogs who get walked about twice a year and don't feel quite as bad!

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