Need advice for exercising my Yorkie

[ch774]

When the weather was good not 100-deg they use to go walking in the afternoon to the mail box (around the corner). Now they go swimming fetching ball, toy in the pool.


Can't wait till it gets cooler. Oh on the walks they go for 20-min. I am learing how to walk 2-dogs at one time..(ha)


Cheryl

[GucciBear]

We started Gucci at about 1/2 mile and added as we went. He's not up to about 1 1/2 miles in the morning and evening and when he cooperates with my husband, about 3/4 mile during the day. If we don't walk him, he'll sleep ALL DAY. He has his time to run in the backyard as well as his regular 7:00 wait for daddy to play time. He's like a little clock! If I leave the door to the bedroom open, he'll go missing around 9:00 - normally I'll find him under the dresser or nightstand. It's his bedtime. I'd like to keep him up longer, because he gets up around 5:00 and it makes for a very long day for a working "mom". I think you have to find what works best for you. Gucci dill only "Poop" if we take him for a walk - not when he's in the backyard!

[allyboo]

We usually do one short walk (15-20 mins) and one long walk (15 mins, then off-leash for half an hour, then 15 mins back home) each day, with several 10-15 minute play sessions. She lazes about the rest of the day.

One thing I've noticed with my pup, is the whole "little and often" thing which surfaces time and time again, it applies to Milly for exercise too. After 15 minutes of hard playtime, she's ready for a lie down, but then she's up again and ready to go in half an hour.

If the weather's bad she doesn't object to two short walks instead of a long walk and a short one, an extra bit of playtime and she's satisfied, tired, and happy.

I don't crate my dog... she's good as gold when left alone.

[ch774]

So what do you do if its too Hot..I see some dogs walking in 97-100-deg walking I don't take mine. We play outside its shaddy go swimming. Other than that its all. I use to take them all the time walking and they really miss it Jack goes where the leashes are and sits there.


Thanks
Cheryl

[kyancer]

Thank you for all the responses to my post. It's been over a year since my original post and I'm glad to see this thread resurface. We've now gotten into a routine of taking Sebastian out for a 30-60 minute walk every evening, and a shorter 15 minute walk in the morning. It really helps keep him happy and a little bit calmer.

As far as the heat goes, I have to walk him early in the morning and late in the evening to avoid the really high temperatures. But, in Maryland it isn't as hot as in Texas.

[Jeanne_D]

I live in a third floor condo and one of my puppy's favorite energy burning games is to chase a toy which I tie to my bath robe sash. I tie a toy to one end of the sash and the other end to my waist (or belt loop) and as I move around my house, doing chores or sometimes I just circle the living room, the toy appears to be trying to escape and my little one just loves it. It really wears him out in the evenings and when he finally "catches his prey" he will carry it back to his lair (dog crate) and take a nap.

[kyancer]

Originally Posted by Jeanne_D

I live in a third floor condo and one of my puppy's favorite energy burning games is to chase a toy which I tie to my bath robe sash. I tie a toy to one end of the sash and the other end to my waist (or belt loop) and as I move around my house, doing chores or sometimes I just circle the living room, the toy appears to be trying to escape and my little one just loves it. It really wears him out in the evenings and when he finally "catches his prey" he will carry it back to his lair (dog crate) and take a nap.

That is a great idea! How cute

[Sebastian Bach]

Originally Posted by kyancer

Thank you for all the responses to my post. It's been over a year since my original post and I'm glad to see this thread resurface. We've now gotten into a routine of taking Sebastian out for a 30-60 minute walk every evening, and a shorter 15 minute walk in the morning. It really helps keep him happy and a little bit calmer.

As far as the heat goes, I have to walk him early in the morning and late in the evening to avoid the really high temperatures. But, in Maryland it isn't as hot as in Texas.

My little guy is a Sebastian too I got my dog as a rescue in April, and even though I loved him so much, I kinda felt sorry for him, he had no clue how to play, and was really a sedentary dog. I started watching Cesar Millan (whom I btw, lol) and his big thing is walk, walk, walk, and for the last month I have been walking him at least twice a day, and his personality has completely changed. He is super happy and always ready to play.

[kyancer]

I love Cesar too . The main reason I started walking him more is because of his show. It really does make such a big difference!

[BLADE]

Jeanne_D, I laughed so hard when I read that your baby loves your bath robe sash! Kimbo LOVES to play with the sash. My kids no longer have anything to tie their bath robes with, because they have been claimed by Kimbo. He has a red one and a brown one and goes nuts for them. He flips around with them and barks at them all day long.

[smallmans]

Bella is 8 months old and 2.8 lbs. Bella loves to walk. She goes on two scheduled 1 mile walks per day. She seems to "need" these walks. She is funny, though, if we start on a walk and she doesn't want to go the regular route she will sit down and refuse to walk. We then say "Home, Bella?" and she turns around and heads toward home. She lets us know when she wants to go on a walk. We don't "loose leash" her, we follow her. We have not learned how to officially "walk" her in our obedience class yet. We also play a game with her where my husband and I stand about 60 ft. apart. We then call "Come Bella" and she runs to each of us. She loves it and runs so fast. She's adorable. As she gets older she seems to really like to run fast. Good luck!

[Gingergirlsmom]

Well, if you're looking for games and a change from "fetch", mine love to play "hide and seek". Of course, they need to be able to stay while you go out of sight in the house. (or get a helper to hold them) I usually hide behind a door, a big piece of furniture, etc., and call them. I read somewhere that it also helps develop other skills (problem solving, using their scent). We also play hide the toy (similar). Now, if I could only find a way to interest Miss Ginger in playing more. She'd rather lie around and watch.

[daniellealberta]

Spike is funny in the hot weather. If I take him out for a walk, and he thinks it's too hot, he will just find the closest shady patch of grass, lay down, and refuse to move. It's quite hot here right now, so I try and take him out later in the evening (about 8:30 or so), when it's still light out but much cooler. Fortunately, living in Edmonton, it's stays light until about 10 p.m. this time of year!

I also have the option of taking him round to my parent's house - their living room is in the basement, so it's much cooler, and quite big, so we can play games. Also, I might take him to a local pet store that is air conditioned, so at least he gets a bit of a walk up and down the aisles!

[lovelylf1]

I take Scooter for two or three walks a day. I work full time and it is really hot here so it is hard to do outdoor activities. Our walks are really short because even at 7am it is 85 degrees plus. At night (even 9:15), it is still in the 90s typically. He goes to daycare 2 to 3 times a week which really wears him out. We play fetch inside on the off days. He also does his share of running up and down the stairs when I am home. On days where he is not at daycare, I try to come home at lunch (or have a friend come by) and play with him for an hour or so.

If you are worried, can you maybe take your guy to daycare once a week? Spending all day playing when you are an only child is more exercise than you know. Scooter loves his daycare and begs to go.

[chandracz]

Good post