So, I have a golden girl. She's now 2. We have a morning walk of around one to one and a half hours, daily. During this, she plays with other dogs in a field; swims in the river; plays fetch; explores the area. We have three venues, which we alternate. She's a mud magnet and I accept that in the mornings, we "get down and dirty" and she comes home and is hosed down.
My problem is this: She flatly refuses to have a second walk, later in the day. I try to get her out for a "pavement/park plod" and she throws herself on the pavement, refusing to move. Is it that she just hates the boredom of a pavement/around town "plod" and would rather be swimming and rolling in mud? Or is it that that's all she needs? She's pretty much always been like this. It's been a battle since she was a pup to get her out on a "utility" rather than full-on fun walk.
We do play in the garden if she's not had a second walk. Balls, tug, a bit of training (basic stuff). And of an evening, we do play with her when watching TV etc.
It's just that I thought these dogs were always watching the door with a lead in their mouths wanting to go out. Now, if I took her to the river/fields and for a swim on that 2nd walk, she'd go but we set off from home, make the turn for the pavement plod and she just refuses. Often, trying to pull me in the direction of the field walk 😐.
Is she trying to tell me something? I can't allow her to be soaked wet through, morning and evening. Partly because that's damned hard work and partly because she's NEVER dry and it's probably not good for her coat and joints. My friend keeps telling me she'll have rheumatism when she's older.
Anyone any advice? Should I aim for a real fun, run and mucky walk once daily and then play or insist on dragging her around the pavements, early evening?