Self isolation and dogs

[3teens2cats]

So like many other people we are making plans incase we or others have to stay at home. From what I understand covid-19 can be transferred via pet fur if touched by an infected person. What are others planning to do with regards to caring for their dogs and maintaining a level of exercise and stimulation? He's only a year old.

Thank you! It’s heartbreaking seeing your dog in pain.

The key difference is between social distancing and self isolating.

Social distancing is a series of measures that people are advised to take and how strongly they are advised to do them will depend if they are in an at risk groups. If anyone is socially distancing themselves to reduce the likelihood of THEM catching Coronavirus then they're absolutely fine to make the decision whether their possible walk is likely to have high risk or not

Of someone has symptoms or lives with some who has symptoms they are self isolating. The purpose of self isolating is to prevent OTHERS from being infected, so going for walks and out and about with the dogs isn't reasonable.

If you live near a branch of the Good Gym, www.goodgym.org/

It’s not an actual gym, it’s a community good deeds running club.

A number of their activities have been curtailed already, but it’s a group with many members DBS checked, who might be able to help with dog walking and other errands for the vulnerable.

Thats interesting lola smiles

My friend who is self isolating due to showing symptoms was quite categorically told otherwise by the NHS doctor he spoke to and the announcement yesterday from the PM still stated that those self isolating could still leave the house to exercise as long as they remained a safe distanced away from others. Have you had updated guidance?

That's what I've been told and it's what's in the government guidance that's been out.

Even now on BBC news 24 the chief medical officer is saying people with symptoms should remain in the house.

Gov website:

if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started

if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill

for anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14-day isolation period

I might have missed something but it seems pretty clear that anyone with symptoms stays at home. That's why people on here have been getting irritated by people saying "I've got a cough and am self isolating off work, but should I go for a run because it would make me feel better".

If you're social distancing then it is totally fine to go for a walk and keep your distance.

From gov website:
Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic
For those who are over 70, have an underlying health condition or are pregnant, we strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can, and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible.

Guidance on Gov website:

Ah, i think you have missed it then - further down the page on the government website it specifically says:

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.

As I said above, my friend is self isolating, not social distancing and he was told the same as I've printed above.

Which page is that? I did miss that.
It's not on the one I was sent:
Https:www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

It does go to show how having regular changes in advice and different press announcements/information in lots of places doesn't help people prepare.

Really there should be a single page document that says:

1. This is social distancing, everyone should do as much as practical with some groups taking more precautions
2. This is social isolation, these are the expectations of anyone with symptoms or in a household of a symptomatic person

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Hope the link works! Its for the page relating to self isolation as opposed to general social distancing

Thank you. I'll take a look.

We've got family in at risk so I'm reading up. It seems like the lack of clarity isnt helping.

I know, every time I hear the wishy washy "dont go out, but maybe for a run, you should self isolate, but kids are still at school and we wont stop your work from demanding you come in" I get so frustrated.

No wonder so many of us are confused!

I agree.
Don't forget "we're advising people don't attend theatres/sports events/cafes/cinemas etc, but we won't make it policy so your insurance won't have to pay out and you can just struggle".

It's backtracking at every step and it doesn't fill you with hope.

Can anyone recommend a good resource for games to play with dogs?

Mine don't get fetch - I've tried. I've run about with squeaky toys and the just look perplexed. We used to do tug of war but one has problems with his teeth now. They don't get tricks.

I've played hide and seek twice today which has gone well.

I'd really like to find ways to keep them stimulated if I can - and start now so they get it in case I'm feeling rubbish later on.

My three year old retriever had her last walk this morning as we are all now staying in. I'm fretting about her more than anything and I have a cough and asthma and dh and I have fallen out.

Beyond the Bowl on Facebook is a great site @TigerJoy

You can still walk your dog even if you're in isolation @sunshinecake.

How, adaline when where we go is very busy and she always says hello to the many people she knows plus has very energetic play with her best friend puppy? .

Sunshine can you take her out very early in the morning instead to avoid the crowds?

Drive her to somewhere quiet, go out early in the morning or late at night? There's loads of options, really.

Lockdown doesn't mean you never go outside and you can never walk your dog. Drive to a beach or park or forest and let her have a run around. At three years old she needs the exercise. You can't expect her to go weeks without getting out for a walk.

I will still walk my dog but in different places and at different times. May be on lead but I need to get out. Even if we don’t see anyone. (If I do I will scurry the other way!) That’s unless anyone here has symptoms in which case we can’t go out at all.

If it’s going to be the French model, one person can take a dog out for urination/defaecation as often as needed, but only on lead and for up to 500m of home address (? can’t remember exact distance but they did specify one)

I’ll keep taking DPuppy out for as long as it’s permitted.

I’m assuming keeping vet appointments will be permitted too.

I just want to do the right thing as I am poorly with something even though I don't think it is the virus.

This morning she had a good run around our garden and hasn't asked to go out again. I will consider going very early. Can't sleep past five anyway so may as well take advantage.

You’re allowed out to walk your dog if you’re self-isolating but don’t have symptoms. In fact you’re encouraged to take exercise at a distance in the fresh air.

well, I walked my dog this morning and we usually see lots of people and dogs, but loads of space, so could pass with 10 m distance.

I was all set to cross the grass as it were to maintain distances.

But there was not a soul around. Whole nature reserve to myself and steppedog.It was extraordinary, and I felt sorry for al lthe dogs who were not getting walked.

The advice at the moment is you can go for walks, but keep distance. Don't allow your dog near anyone either.

But if you have symptons, you should stay indoors