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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Anyone want a support system for people struggling to walk their dogs?

103 replies

Befop · 11/01/2024 00:21

I have 3 small breed dogs all over age 6.

In the last few years my anxiety has taken over to the point I'd say Im agoraphobic.

My dogs are little and don't need a huge walk so I'm just going to try and take them out everyday.

It also doesn't help that years ago my dog was attacked and ended up getting run over after escaping from attacking dog.

So I'm scared to go parks etc now.

A few days ago I took them park and TWO separate people let their dogs run over unleashed.

And I literally shake because I think it's going to happen again.

But my dogs deserve a walk everyday. Even if it's just the streets, not park

They're so spoilt. Best raw food diets. Probiotics Toys. Snuffle mats. Licky mats. We spend all day playing and cuddling but a walk is important.

I have to try harder.

OP posts:
Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 00:21

And I've started this as a support thread so PLEASE don't tell me I'm a bad owner or I should rehome. I'm starting this thread to try and improve.

OP posts:
Strawberrycheesecake7 · 11/01/2024 00:33

I completely understand the anxiety around other dogs attacking your dog. My dog is quite large and I think other dogs feel threatened by him so they go for him all the time. They’re often off lead as well for some unknown reason. My dog is not aggressive but will defend himself so then I have to pull him away/get between them before they hurt each other. It’s a nightmare and I can never relax on walks for fear that some random dog is going to come and go for my dog. I have a young baby and I absolutely refuse to take him on dog walks in case something happens like this and he gets hurt. This means I have to get up at 5am and walk my dog in the dark so I can leave the baby with my husband before he has to leave for work. People need to keep their dogs on leads.

StBrides · 11/01/2024 00:34

Just here to support you, I know someone else in the same position.

BungleandGeorge · 11/01/2024 00:36

There are charities that will help people who are unwell/ disabled to walk their dogs, they might be able to help?

Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 00:38

Thankyou.

One of them is a chihuahua and if she was grabbed and shaken like the bigger dog was she would be dead. 100% no question. And that even before the car coming into play.

My other dog is now extremely anxious and wears a yellow lead and vest with ANXIOUS all over it. But people with off lead dogs just don't care.

And let their dogs run over whilst shouting 'he's friendly!!!'

It's extremely stressful.

But even a little wander round the block is an improvement.

OP posts:
Ohdearohdearohdea · 11/01/2024 00:39

You could get a dog walker or send to daycare. It's quite hard to find a dog walker these days and also expensive. But there are apps where you can get people to walk your dog cheaply.

Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 00:39

BungleandGeorge · 11/01/2024 00:36

There are charities that will help people who are unwell/ disabled to walk their dogs, they might be able to help?

I feel like I'd be taking a space up from someone tha actually needed it.

I can do it. It's just mentally draining and I'm terrified the whole time which my dogs will pick up on, I'm sure.

I couldn't take them to the park on my own but I think I can do pavement walks

OP posts:
Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 00:42

Ohdearohdearohdea · 11/01/2024 00:39

You could get a dog walker or send to daycare. It's quite hard to find a dog walker these days and also expensive. But there are apps where you can get people to walk your dog cheaply.

Paying for 3 dogs to be walked daily is just unaffordable.

I'm unable to work because my mental health is so poor right now.

I know what I have to do.

Getting out would probably be beneficial to me too.

OP posts:
margotmargeaux · 11/01/2024 00:45

I have a small beautiful dog who I used to love to walk.
I still love to walk her when I can but the anxiety I feel about doing so is really restricting.
I had a nervous break down through mental health issues just as Covid happened. The combination of these has left me with real difficulty leaving the house alone.
I pay a dog walker when I can. When I can't I walk her myself - but it takes a huge effort.

NewYearNewCalendar · 11/01/2024 00:46

Well done OP, it’s a big step to recognise that you need to make a change to make your dogs’ lives better.

What’s your plan, going for a walk tomorrow?

Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 00:48

NewYearNewCalendar · 11/01/2024 00:46

Well done OP, it’s a big step to recognise that you need to make a change to make your dogs’ lives better.

What’s your plan, going for a walk tomorrow?

Yes.

I'm thinking I might take 2 out 1st then 1 on their own.

As sometimes all 3 get tangled up and it can get a bit overwhelming. Which means more exercise for me too.

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 11/01/2024 00:49

@Befop most people wouldn’t be totally housebound. There’s no difference between you dealing with extreme anxiety and someone who for example finds walking tiring/ painful due to a physical health condition. Perhaps you could consider it for a day or two a week or if you have the money a dog walker. It’s probably a good thing they’re getting you out but would take the pressure of a bit and give them a longer walk

Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 00:53

I think I'd be scared something would happen to them without me. I don't think I would actually let anyone walk them.
Again, obviously anxiety and related to my broken brain but I think someone coming and taking them away to a dog park and me having no control or knowledge about what was happening would probably be even more stressful to me.

OP posts:
sandyhappypeople · 11/01/2024 00:54

Do you have any dedicated fields near where you are? My sister has a reactive boxer and she walks him there at least once a week, it's around £10 for an hour to have the whole secure field to yourself? We now have at least 5 of these fields now within a 10 mile radius.

I've got three small dogs and I know what you mean about feeling unsafe, unfortunately off lead dogs is just part and parcel of dog walking now, I walk mine on lead and off lead but they stay with me and don't approach anyone else, but the amount of dogs come running over to us is ridiculous at times! Thankfully most are friendly, but they are all pretty much ill mannered and ironically unsocialised!

TicketyBoo11 · 11/01/2024 00:56

I hear you…we have dog zones near my house. You pay for 30 mins or an hour and the field is secure and it’s just yours. They are safe. You book online.. I have a bit of walking anxiety, before lockdown I could walk my dogs (spaniels) peacefully and with no other canine interference (which my dogs are just not interested in)..but then everyone got a bloody dog and now the dog walkers are out walking 4 or 5 dogs at a time in the areas where I used to see no one. People don’t call there dogs in and it’s a nightmare.

Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 00:59

We do but not close by /walking distance.

I don't think an uber would let 3 dogs in.?? And the anxious one would bark her head off the whole journey, she hates cats, for obvious reasons.

OP posts:
Original poster
Befop · 11/01/2024 01:00

CARS*

She likes cats, surprisingly.

OP posts:
sandyhappypeople · 11/01/2024 01:14

Oh okay, I'm guessing you don't drive from your reply mentioning uber?

Do you know anyone else with a dog that gets on with yours who drives? You could offer to pay for the field for the hour for them too if they can drive you there and back?

Apart from that it's just walking around the streets, and in fairness most the time I go out I don't even come across anyone else, or if I do the dogs are on lead so easy to avoid. I constantly risk assess when I'm out though, so if I see something I don't like I just walk the other way, you do have to consider things more carefully when you've got more than one dog to protect, I sometimes walk our smaller two together then our medium size one on their own. You may find your confidence builds the more you go out.

I'd probably stay away from parks though for now, pretty much every single time we go out we get approached by an off lead dog, "friendly" of course, but still really intrusive and annoying.

IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken · 11/01/2024 01:22

Is there anyone else you know with small dogs or a group of people who you could all hire out a dog walking field.If there are enough of you it could be for several times a week and it really wouldn’t be expensive with several of you going.

Loveablockheel · 11/01/2024 01:25

Sorry you are struggling OP I think you should completely avoid parks, I felt the same with my tiny 7lb dog, parks and beaches were always a safety concern as there are always lots of bigger, faster dogs off lead so I was always on high alert to keep her safe. Your dogs will be happy walking in residential areas, so long as they get their steps in and a good sniff for their mental stimulation they will be fine, I would start by taking one out at a time to build your confidence up.

JollyHostess101 · 11/01/2024 01:38

Befop · 11/01/2024 00:42

Paying for 3 dogs to be walked daily is just unaffordable.

I'm unable to work because my mental health is so poor right now.

I know what I have to do.

Getting out would probably be beneficial to me too.

Show quote history

Our rescue hates other dogs and I’ve always been super nervous of walking him and when I was 8 months pregnant another dog came and jump on him while off lead which made things even worse….. But I do have take him out when husband is working and now with the baby in carrier so it’s even more of a fretful job!

2 things that have helped me

walking outside “normal hours” so we don’t see other dogs like we go out at 11am ish or 8.30/9pm and hardly see other dogs.

when I started with baby and dog I’d literally walk five minutes up one road and turn round and get home then walk like 2 minutes the other way but in my mind I’m never too far from home I can’t get back quickly and gradually the walks got longer as I chilled out more!

it’s still not my favourite thing ing the world to do but we’re getting there!!

Uglyboots · 11/01/2024 01:45

Any chance you can ask a friend or neighbour to walk with you? An extra pair of hands, safety in numbers and all of that…
Be a bit company for you and also motivating as you’d have to commit to arrangements

Floralnomad · 11/01/2024 01:55

I totally agree with the pp who said to avoid parks and in fact any areas where you are likely to get off lead dogs , pavement walks will be fine and are definitely better than nothing .

AutumnFroglets · 11/01/2024 02:06

In your case I would definitely do split walks. Do the nervous one by itself at first so you can pay better attention to their body language. They might be less nervous with another of yours so try that after a week, but three is too much considering what you are going through.

Also take note who walks past your house and times. If nobody walks past between 10.30 and noon then use that window to try and walk around the block. Little walks are better than none. Build up yours and their confidence this way.