Can I go out more than once for dog toilet trips?

[Eckhart]

I'm a solitary dog owner with no garden.

I'm worried that we're being directed to only exercise them once a day. Is the government advocating the animal neglect that would be involved in not allowing a dog out to toilet? I have friends who will help, but given the handover, this seems more risky than just taking her myself and maintaining social distancing for 10 minutes round the block.

Horse owners are allowed to do 'essential care' for their animals, even if they go out more than once per day to do this, and yet this hasn't been stated for dogs.

I'm going to have to go out briefly thrice daily. Ive been lampooned on another thread, with 'Which bit of stay at home don't you understand?!'

Anybody in the same boat, or got any info about whether 'essential animal care' is counted in the 'essential care' exemption from the 'stay at home rule'?

I think it would be better to let your dog toilet indoors. After all the risks of humans living amongst animal faeces won’t add to the burden on the NHS.

OP - I am not being sarcastic to you by any means. MN as in RL has it’s share of people who are incapable of logical thinking.

Absolutely be vigilant on distancing etc but if you don’t have outdoor space you don’t have an alternative.

Please do take your dog out to toilet. It would be incredibly cruel not to.

This is most reassuring. I've been called a selfish fking twt, that my dog should be locked into a small room until she toilets indoors, that I'm cruel to even have a dog if I don't have a garden, and that I must be thick as sit if I can't understand 'STAY AT HOME'. Oh, and 'Poor little Fido can't have his walks? PEOPLE ARE DYING!!'

MNetters can be savage.

WTF?! I agree some can be savage but also important to remember that many MNetters just adore a rule to follow and the chance to rip into anyone who doesn't. I've noticed it well before this - an almost slavish adherence to The Rules and perceived "authority".

My dog gets a long-ish walk very early in the morning - 30-40 minutes while my children are still asleep, then 20 minutes in the afternoon with my kids so they get out for fresh air. Then a couple of snuffles in the front/only garden during the day and last thing at night while I watch from the door. I won't be changing that routine but no doubt would be roasted to a cinder by multiple, pitchfork waving MNetters.

You are going to break the NHS, @YgritteSnow

I wouldn't worry there's many MNetters hate dogs & like to feel superior.

Mine go on little leg stretch up the street to toilet when they need to as don't have a garden, its also better for my arthritic, oldie's mobility to not have one long walk but little to no exercise would lead to muscle wastage, pain & quite likely early euthanasia.

I'd normally take my fearful dog out on walk while most folk are at work/school, so now i'm having to go out when everyone else is in bed. I wouldn't mind if i just did it all in 1 longer walk but it isn't possible & don't have extra household members to do it.

We can cope with one 'proper' exercise walk a day easily, but we live in a building with no garden so we have to go 'outside' for toilet break. I wait till it's quiet at night, just go to the nearest bit of grass and avoid anybody I see (which so far has been a grand total of nobody).

If I'm challenged by authority I'll just have to explain; can't have dogs toileting inside the building and I doubt my dog would 'go' indoors anyway unless accidentally. He's too large for a litter tray, before anyone suggests it.

it seems to have brought out the sanctimonious batshitters in force
Well put, VetOnCall.

The other day, I would have said one walk and a couple of quick toilet runs. As per Government advice.

Now the new laws have been published.., the only exercising once thing seems to have been dropped. So be sensible, do not jump in the car make your dog comfortable discreetly.

Section 6 www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/pdfs/uksi_20200350_en.pdf

@Pestymachtubernahme Thank you so much for posting this.

Thanks vet. I'm assuming you are a vet, so thanks especially because your opinion actually carries some weight.

No problem. I am a vet (although I realise anyone could say that!) and I can absolutely state that ensuring that your dog can toilet regularly and appropriately (i.e. in a safe place outdoors) is essential. Whoever suggested locking them in a room should be subjected to the same treatment*.

*I say that but actually they need help because there's something seriously wrong with their mentality.

@vetoncall I did consider suggesting that they wear a nappy and be prevented from going 'until necessary', but held myself back.

Thanks again.

All lockdowns in all countries allow basic care for animals, farm or domestic, including toilet trips for dogs

However, you should keep the exercise walks down to 1 per accompanying adult or teen
i.e. if you have a DP and a teen, 3 long walks for lucky dog,
but as a minimum you can take it for 1 long walk.

and as many quick toilet breaks as it wants

I am so pleased I decided to look on this section of MN for the first time! Sister has a relatively new rescue dog and has been stressing because he isn't settled into a toileting routine yet so some days she's been having to go out round the block a couple of times. I'm going to link her to this thread now!