Lone female dog walking night

[Bellyblueboy]

My brother and his family got a working cocker spaniel a few years ago. Everyone has lost interest and the dog is only really walked by me (and occasionally my 85 year old father). He is given lots of attention and affection in the house, but they don’t seem to want to exercise him. I have raised it a few times but am in danger of being shut out if I raise it again.

i take him (the dog) for two long walks at the weekend, but i know he needs much more than this. I work long hours and get home at about 7pm. It’s too dark to go to the park - and he is very ‘pulley’ on a lead.

i want to start taking him for walks in the evenings but am not really strong enough to walk him sensibly on a lead. I have tried a harness but it doesn’t really stop the pulling. Any hints?

If you attach the lead to the front clip of a harness, they swing round when they pull. Or attach to both for more control

Would asking your brother to walk the dog with you prick his conscience? I know that’s probably unlikely and he will be dick enough to let you go alone or say if you’re scared, leave the dog unwalked. Or would any other family member go with you?

He wouldn’t go with me - just roll his eyes and say the dog is fine he doesn’t need a walk. Then say I am being a martyr.

His boys hear this and take his side. His wife is lovely, but she stays quiet. Not sure if she agrees with him but I don’t want to risk getting iced out.

at the moment they are happy enough for me to collect for a few hours every Saturday and Sunday. I then take him for a couple of weeks every summer when they go on holiday. I’m not sure they even know how much money I save them - they have never had to look up kennel costs!

I took him on a ‘sniff walk’ last night round the streets. He hadn’t been out since Sunday and seemed to really enjoy it.

There is a floodlit dog field close by (which I had no idea existed) but it is booked solid! I was stern with him and stopped every time he pulled. He got the message (sometimes😊).

I have ordered some new leads to try over Christmas.

I will never be able to get him out every day - but I figure three or four times a week is better than what he gets currently.

I think he'd enjoy scentwork would tire him out mentally and give him a job to do which is important with his breed. You may even be able to join a local club or do a course on the weekend. You could do it on the lead in the dark winter evenings and he would be happy and engaged rather than pulling. I have a working breed lab and it's been invaluable when she can have big walks ie recovering from an injury or needing rest.

Well done you for trying to do right by this dog. A front attached harness did wonders for my beagle who pulls - when she pulls it turns her around on herself. We use the walk your dog with love brand.

If you are on FB, Dog Training Advice and Support is worth checking out. It’s a self study group with lots of video advice (inc lead walking) & the admins advise if that’s not enough. They also have a book.

We have a very pully bull lurcher. He actually pulled my (well built) husband over. Got a slip lead and it’s been an absolute game changer. Halti didn’t work, harness wasn’t great but the slip lead is brilliant. It goes over his muzzle and neck in a figure of 8.