Am I A Bad Mommy? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sgt_Cooper · 11-08-2010, 04:59 PM

Ive only had my yorkie for a year and maybe Im still a learning mamma, but I dont really take my dos for walks . (i have 1 yorkie and 1lhasa apso)but the dont really seem to mind. We play fetch in the house some and hell ru till he getd out of breath. My lhasa she's just lazy and stays in bed all the time. I did start taking him (yorkie) out for walks in the yard but when i did that he started wanting to run outside the house more and it was starting to get dangerous. We live close to the road yet close to woods and i was afraid that he'll get run over or lost. He's so fast I could hardly catch him. They seem content not going out. But I feel like I might not be doing right by them . But I dont want it to encourage him to dart out when the door is open.... also he hate a piece of gummy candy tonight.......will it hurt him? He snuck and grabbedit on the run.

cally930 · 11-08-2010, 05:13 PM

I don't take mine out for walks either. I tried, but between the stopping to sniff everything and then planting their butts down and not wanting to walk at all, till I had to pick them up......... Well that stopped our walks. Mine get plenty of exercise in our house. They run around all on their own, chasing each other and playing all the time. Mine go with me to the store, to the office, shopping, soccer games, everywhere I go. So I don't think they miss not going for walks.

I think just as long as they get exercise - its fine.

Ringo1 · 11-08-2010, 05:16 PM

I don't think you are a bad Mommy, but I've just always walked my dogs. They so enjoy it and it especially calms my Westie down. He would not be content to hang around the house.

Tinksmygirl · 11-08-2010, 06:40 PM

I think it depends on your dogs energy level. My Tinkerbellis high energy and absolutely needs her daily walks. I doubt she would ever get enough excerise just hanging out in the house. I take her to the dog park almost every weekend also. You should see how fast she runs on her little legs... there is no way they can get up to that speed in the house.

MaddiesMommie · 11-08-2010, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt_Cooper

Ive only had my yorkie for a year and maybe Im still a learning mamma, but I dont really take my dos for walks . (i have 1 yorkie and 1lhasa apso)but the dont really seem to mind. We play fetch in the house some and hell ru till he getd out of breath. My lhasa she's just lazy and stays in bed all the time. I did start taking him (yorkie) out for walks in the yard but when i did that he started wanting to run outside the house more and it was starting to get dangerous. We live close to the road yet close to woods and i was afraid that he'll get run over or lost. He's so fast I could hardly catch him. They seem content not going out. But I feel like I might not be doing right by them . But I dont want it to encourage him to dart out when the door is open.... also he hate a piece of gummy candy tonight.......will it hurt him? He snuck and grabbedit on the run.

What kind of candy was it? Like gummy bears? a single piece should not hurt him. However, gum, as in chewing gum or candy that has contains xylitol can be deadly.

Patti · 11-08-2010, 06:56 PM

No what ever works for you and your babies. I have 4 and cannot walk 4 at a time. I of mine won't walk on a leash and the another one will only walk if I drop the leash and let her walk on her own. I find it too dangerous to try and walk all 4, especially with coyotes and loose dogs around. They do go out in the back yard and sometimes if my dtr is here we will walk them all.

DvlshAngel985 · 11-08-2010, 06:58 PM

Actually, a dog might seem content to never go outside if you never take him. My little boy loves, and I mean loves to go for walks. I don't because I feel as though our current living situation doesn't allow it (dangerous neighborhood). However, if I take the time to put his harness on, drive him out to a safe neighborhood, you can physically see him enjoying every sniff, every step, and every dog we meet.

It very could be that they don't enjoy walks, every dog is different. But they can't miss what they don't have.

loveshay · 11-08-2010, 09:14 PM

I don't take Shay out for walks either...we play and run around the island in the kitchen (lol I know weird... but he loves it, and is so sneaky.. he will run around , then stop, turn around,and peak and wait for me to ..lol..like hide and seek)

FlDebra · 11-08-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt_Cooper

Ive only had my yorkie for a year and maybe Im still a learning mamma, but I dont really take my dos for walks . (i have 1 yorkie and 1lhasa apso)but the dont really seem to mind. We play fetch in the house some and hell ru till he getd out of breath. My lhasa she's just lazy and stays in bed all the time. I did start taking him (yorkie) out for walks in the yard but when i did that he started wanting to run outside the house more and it was starting to get dangerous. We live close to the road yet close to woods and i was afraid that he'll get run over or lost. He's so fast I could hardly catch him. They seem content not going out. But I feel like I might not be doing right by them . But I dont want it to encourage him to dart out when the door is open.... also he hate a piece of gummy candy tonight.......will it hurt him? He snuck and grabbedit on the run.

It sounds like you don't have a large fenced area outside either and you mention the one just stays in bed all the time. So, I think you really need to work in a daily walk ON A LEASH. You can buy a coupler that swivels so the leashes will not become tangled. It is important that they get daily exercise. If you have a fenced yard like I do, then you can just do it all in the yard. I throw toys for fetch and they like to just run the perimeter of the yard a lot. Still, we like to work in walks outside the yard for variety and socialization. Since your dogs sound like they are in different levels of shape, you may have to walk them separately. Start out with short walks at a slow pace -- maybe only 10 minutes at a time to start. Then add 5 minutes a week until you are walking them for 30 minutes a day.

You don't have to walk them daily but there needs to be some sort of fairly good exercise. A little fetch inside, is probably not going to be enough (although I am sure you could make it work). If you are not going to do the daily walks, then you need to really evaluate how much exercise they are getting. Especially the one you say is lazy and stays in bed, you need to get that baby up and moving before it has a heart attack. It will be the very best thing for their heart, for their lungs, for their bones and muscles. This really is important!

They will sniff things along the way and try to eat strange things they find. On a leash you can limit it, but they may still get an odd piece of candy or try to lick another dog's leavings. Not the end of the world and still healthier than allowing them to lay around and clog their arteries and atrophy muscles. Make sure they are always up to date on shots.

As I mentioned this is really important for the health of your dogs. It will be good for your health too! Getting out in the fresh air and walking at a moderate pace is invigorating, will give you more energy and make your pups much more healthy! Think of the remote and hope-it-never-happens situation of requiring surgery ... if they go in in good health from daily exercise they are much more likely to make it through. When they face surgery in poor health, lungs not stretched to good capacity, hearts not used to any exercise, then it is VERY dangerous! So, get the leashes out and have some fun! Walking with your dogs can be a hoot! They are always coming up with somethng funny to do, to find, and people to entertain. You can meet some great people out walking the dogs!

Have fun!

Vinniedoggy · 11-09-2010, 04:54 AM

If my guys didn't go for a walk, they would drive me nuts. Vinnie is lazy, but he loves being outside walking. He got a little fat last year with all the snow and not being able to walk as much (we had several major snow storms in the DC region). But he dropped the weight once he started walking more again. Alex, my newer guy, is a walking maniac. He just LOVES to walk and will walk as long as I let him. They both did a hike last weekend (not too long, just around 3 miles) and while Vinnie was exhausted, Alex was still looking for more.

Personally, I think going for walks (on a leash) is really important for dogs. Walks provide physical activity that we know is good and they also provide mental stimulation (all the smells, people, dogs, etc). I also like walking time for me. It's the one time of the day when my focus is completely on the dogs and they get ALL my attention.

misslissa · 11-09-2010, 05:07 AM

I walk Gatsby, he needs it if i dont take him he sits in the hall and cries.
My beat friend has two small breed dogs a Maltese and a Chiweenie they dont walk her Chiweenie is very afraid of out doors and her Maltese is approaching 12 and he dose not get along so well anymore and her dogs are fine

Sammy Mommy · 11-09-2010, 07:24 AM

No you are not a bad Mommy. I only walk my dog in my yard on his leash. He also likes to sit outside while I garden (when the weather is warm). He also likes to sit on my lap outside in the nice weather. I don't like walking him around the neighborhood because not everyone keeps their dog on a leash and I'm afraid he will get hurt from a bigger dog.

lexi43 · 11-09-2010, 08:45 AM

We have a large privacy fenced in back yark and no I don't walk my dogs they go out back and run around. I don't even like too many people knowing I have the dogs because I'm afraid of dog nappers. I'm always afraid that if someone see's me walking a yorkie and a shorkie they could follow and find out where I live.

thays · 11-09-2010, 09:58 AM

My Ruby is not a walker. She goes around the corner and is already tired, but she loves play with ropes. Now she has a broken leg, so I am not walking with her at all; actually I try to make her rest most of the time.

However I am felling a awful mommy for another reason. I crate trainning Ruby and she goes in her kennel to nap no problem at all... But in another forum i said about the crate trainning and it was a huge thing!!!! People said that I just wasn't a bad mommy to my dogs, but also to my 2 year old daughter... It hurted my feelings so so much!!!! I felt like a monster... And started to wonder if I am really that bad canine and humane mommy!

Rachael x · 11-09-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thays

My Ruby is not a walker. She goes around the corner and is already tired, but she loves play with ropes. Now she has a broken leg, so I am not walking with her at all; actually I try to make her rest most of the time.

However I am felling a awful mommy for another reason. I crate trainning Ruby and she goes in her kennel to nap no problem at all... But in another forum i said about the crate trainning and it was a huge thing!!!! People said that I just wasn't a bad mommy to my dogs, but also to my 2 year old daughter... It hurted my feelings so so much!!!! I felt like a monster... And started to wonder if I am really that bad canine and humane mommy!

Welcome to YT.
Someone in another forum said you were a bad pet owner and mother to your daughter because you crate train your dog? is that correct?
If that is what was said to you then I cant even begin to explain how ridiculous that is!
Crate training is in NO WAY cruel, you said yourself that your dog has no problem going in the crate to nap.
Crate training is probably one of the quickest and easiest way to potty train your dog, I know Poppy has come on leaps and bounds in her training since I started crating her.
Please do not listen to whatever idiot said those things to you, and I have no idea where they got the thought you were a bad mother to your daughter because of a dog crate!
Good luck in the training, you will see how well crate training has worked for everyone here.

11-08-2010, 04:59 PM	#1
Sgt_Cooper Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ky Posts: 137	Am I A Bad Mommy? Ive only had my yorkie for a year and maybe Im still a learning mamma, but I dont really take my dos for walks . (i have 1 yorkie and 1lhasa apso)but the dont really seem to mind. We play fetch in the house some and hell ru till he getd out of breath. My lhasa she's just lazy and stays in bed all the time. I did start taking him (yorkie) out for walks in the yard but when i did that he started wanting to run outside the house more and it was starting to get dangerous. We live close to the road yet close to woods and i was afraid that he'll get run over or lost. He's so fast I could hardly catch him. They seem content not going out. But I feel like I might not be doing right by them . But I dont want it to encourage him to dart out when the door is open.... also he hate a piece of gummy candy tonight.......will it hurt him? He snuck and grabbedit on the run.

11-08-2010, 05:13 PM	#2
cally930 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mt. Sinai, New York Posts: 910	I don't take mine out for walks either. I tried, but between the stopping to sniff everything and then planting their butts down and not wanting to walk at all, till I had to pick them up......... Well that stopped our walks. Mine get plenty of exercise in our house. They run around all on their own, chasing each other and playing all the time. Mine go with me to the store, to the office, shopping, soccer games, everywhere I go. So I don't think they miss not going for walks. I think just as long as they get exercise - its fine. __________________ Cally Coco & Beckham

11-08-2010, 05:16 PM	#3
Ringo1 Ringo (1) and Lucy too! Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: On the Edge of Glory Posts: 3,447	I don't think you are a bad Mommy, but I've just always walked my dogs. They so enjoy it and it especially calms my Westie down. He would not be content to hang around the house. __________________ Mommy to Lucy, Ringo, and Matthew

11-08-2010, 06:56 PM	#6
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	No what ever works for you and your babies. I have 4 and cannot walk 4 at a time. I of mine won't walk on a leash and the another one will only walk if I drop the leash and let her walk on her own. I find it too dangerous to try and walk all 4, especially with coyotes and loose dogs around. They do go out in the back yard and sometimes if my dtr is here we will walk them all. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

11-08-2010, 06:58 PM	#7
DvlshAngel985 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 12,693	Actually, a dog might seem content to never go outside if you never take him. My little boy loves, and I mean loves to go for walks. I don't because I feel as though our current living situation doesn't allow it (dangerous neighborhood). However, if I take the time to put his harness on, drive him out to a safe neighborhood, you can physically see him enjoying every sniff, every step, and every dog we meet. It very could be that they don't enjoy walks, every dog is different. But they can't miss what they don't have. __________________ Littlest JakJak We miss you Kaji

11-08-2010, 06:40 PM	#4
Tinksmygirl YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Magnolia, DE Posts: 435	I think it depends on your dogs energy level. My Tinkerbellis high energy and absolutely needs her daily walks. I doubt she would ever get enough excerise just hanging out in the house. I take her to the dog park almost every weekend also. You should see how fast she runs on her little legs... there is no way they can get up to that speed in the house.

11-08-2010, 09:14 PM	#8
loveshay YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: TN Posts: 556	I don't take Shay out for walks either...we play and run around the island in the kitchen (lol I know weird... but he loves it, and is so sneaky.. he will run around , then stop, turn around,and peak and wait for me to ..lol..like hide and seek) __________________ loving my lil SHAY

11-09-2010, 04:54 AM	#10
Vinniedoggy YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 280	If my guys didn't go for a walk, they would drive me nuts. Vinnie is lazy, but he loves being outside walking. He got a little fat last year with all the snow and not being able to walk as much (we had several major snow storms in the DC region). But he dropped the weight once he started walking more again. Alex, my newer guy, is a walking maniac. He just LOVES to walk and will walk as long as I let him. They both did a hike last weekend (not too long, just around 3 miles) and while Vinnie was exhausted, Alex was still looking for more. Personally, I think going for walks (on a leash) is really important for dogs. Walks provide physical activity that we know is good and they also provide mental stimulation (all the smells, people, dogs, etc). I also like walking time for me. It's the one time of the day when my focus is completely on the dogs and they get ALL my attention. __________________ Andrea, Mom to Vinnie, Alex, and Guru

11-09-2010, 05:07 AM	#11
misslissa YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: canton ohio us Posts: 1,574	I walk Gatsby, he needs it if i dont take him he sits in the hall and cries. My beat friend has two small breed dogs a Maltese and a Chiweenie they dont walk her Chiweenie is very afraid of out doors and her Maltese is approaching 12 and he dose not get along so well anymore and her dogs are fine __________________ Don't say I love you unless you mean it, but if you do say it a lot. People forget.

11-09-2010, 07:24 AM	#12
Sammy Mommy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Posts: 3,896	No you are not a bad Mommy. I only walk my dog in my yard on his leash. He also likes to sit outside while I garden (when the weather is warm). He also likes to sit on my lap outside in the nice weather. I don't like walking him around the neighborhood because not everyone keeps their dog on a leash and I'm afraid he will get hurt from a bigger dog.

11-09-2010, 08:45 AM	#13
lexi43 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Deer Park New York Posts: 1,586	We have a large privacy fenced in back yark and no I don't walk my dogs they go out back and run around. I don't even like too many people knowing I have the dogs because I'm afraid of dog nappers. I'm always afraid that if someone see's me walking a yorkie and a shorkie they could follow and find out where I live.

11-09-2010, 09:58 AM	#14
thays YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Edmonton Posts: 1	My Ruby is not a walker. She goes around the corner and is already tired, but she loves play with ropes. Now she has a broken leg, so I am not walking with her at all; actually I try to make her rest most of the time. However I am felling a awful mommy for another reason. I crate trainning Ruby and she goes in her kennel to nap no problem at all... But in another forum i said about the crate trainning and it was a huge thing!!!! People said that I just wasn't a bad mommy to my dogs, but also to my 2 year old daughter... It hurted my feelings so so much!!!! I felt like a monster... And started to wonder if I am really that bad canine and humane mommy!