Questions about walking our Tiny Yorkies.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Britster

Yeah, it's $6 every time... OR you can buy a $40 yearly pass which is what I did since I go so often. Dog Activities at Quiet Waters Park I think it's listed in the top 5 dog parks in the country!

A dog beach too!!! That place sounds very nice! Has jackson gone swimming in there?

[Britster]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

A dog beach too!!! That place sounds very nice! Has jackson gone swimming in there?

Not yet because the dog beach is the only area not fenced off, and I just don't fully trust him.. even though he usually won't go off if there are other dogs around... I'm just not sure yet. We've walked on the beach though and he was splashing through the water on his leash lol. He goes swimming in my dads pool every summer!

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by Britster

Personally-and this is not meant to be taken offensively because obviously every one and every dog is different, but I'm the kind of person that doesn't live wondering the "what if's" ... live life to the fullest (you & your dog!) Yeah, your dog can get bit by a mosquito but they can also run around in your house and bump into a wall and die (which I believe happened on here). Yeah, they can go and try to eat dog poop, that's what they do! Don't sweat the small stuff, let your dog live like a dog! Yes, it's our job to protect them but there's only so much we can do, some things are just not in our hands. I am Jackson's protector for sure but he is just not the kind of dog that I would confine in a house... dogs are meant to be outdoors, play, explore, live life! With winter, he's been in the house more and it really takes a toll on his personality. He comes alive when outdoors on a walk, or at the dog park playing with dogs, or running around, and I would never want to take that away from him. I hope u don't take this in a mean way as it's totally just my opinion but I just feel it's important to get it out there.
Here's a vid of Jackson I made a while ago just loving life, and I can't imagine having him inside all the time! With that said, I do understand every body has different lifestyles and it's not always easy esp. in this winter weather to walk our dogs as much, etc, and some dogs aren't as active but I still think it's important for every dog to get out there as much as possible.

CUUUTE video of Jackson!! What a lucky dog! I would love to have children for my yorkies to play with, sandboxes, wide open (safe) running areas, etc. but I don't. I think Jackson is twice the size of my doggies so he doesn't look like a mouse to other dogs. lol

[Britster]

Originally Posted by emmyran

CUUUTE video of Jackson!! What a lucky dog! I would love to have children for my yorkies to play with, sandboxes, wide open (safe) running areas, etc. but I don't. I think Jackson is twice the size of my doggies so he doesn't look like a mouse to other dogs. lol

Yeah, he's a bigger guy so it's definitely less worry (12lbs) but if I had a little one, I would treat it the exact same way. My friend has 2 small yorkies, one under 5lbs, one a tiny bit over, and they all get walked as much as possible and sometimes for 4 mile walks. Her 5lber plays with my 12lber just the same. So for me, it's not about the size issue really, as it is them being dogs. But I totally get that not everyone has the resources or the time, and not everyone is as lucky to have a nice park, etc.

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I've had problems walking Lucy this winter. She does not like the wet and cold. My Westie does not mind it and will walk for miles in this weather. I feel bad for Lucy because he goes and we leave her home! She'll start out wanting to walk - but then wants to turn right around and come home because she's cold and wet.

Also . . I am NOT good at walking both dogs together. Something I'm learning. But right now -their leashes are getting tangled up all the time; one is going one way and the other the opposite . . .

I'm thinking about trying a coupler. But Ringo is bigger so there is a decent size difference in the two.

Lastly, I am scared about the bigger dogs. It was easy when I was walking only one - just reached down and picked him up. Now I have two and it's hard to get them both in a hurry.

Hopefully, we'll get the hang of things by spring! Because I can absolutely tell that winter has been hard on Ringo. Just not getting his walks like he is used to.

Hahaha you made me laugh about the leashes getting tangled...mine do too because the girls get so excited they want to run to each side and smell things, thus getting tangled and sometimes almost tripping me. Yes, it's totally different walking two dogs. When I just had one, it was a piece of cake. Just picked her up so quickly...not a problem. But my 2nd doggie is a scrambler and runs BEHIND me any time there's danger. So I'm trying to pick one up while the other one is going around and around trying to hide. We're all tangled up and I only have one dog in my hand! Not a good situation! LOL

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by Britster

Yeah, he's a bigger guy so it's definitely less worry (12lbs) but if I had a little one, I would treat it the exact same way. My friend has 2 small yorkies, one under 5lbs, one a tiny bit over, and they all get walked as much as possible and sometimes for 4 mile walks. Her 5lber plays with my 12lber just the same. So for me, it's not about the size issue really, as it is them being dogs. But I totally get that not everyone has the resources or the time, and not everyone is as lucky to have a nice park, etc.

Well I do feel the same way you do about them being dogs and needing to run and play and all that! I feel so guilty for not making every day be "all about the doggies" but I just don't get the time. I have hawks in my yard every day too. They sit in the trees and all of a sudden they swoop down and grab the little field mice! My breeder lady said to "watch out for hawks because she's had some get her tiny yorkies" and that scared me to death! I wish I lived in town by my sister, where they could play together. She has 2 yorkies and one is 4 lbs too. They all loooove each other. They seem to be fine just running and playing in the house, but my oldest yorkie absolutely loves being outside and sniffing the grass and running. She's a real doggie. My youngest one is a sissy! LOLOL (cracked myself up)

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by Patti

My3 don't go for many walks since I cannot safely walk three of them. But in nice weather they go in my large backyard with me and they have a small area fenced off that they go out to several times a day. Sometimes my dtr will walk with me so we can take all 3 or I will put them in the stroller for a walk. I am a worrier and have had several of my yorkies and my pom charged at by bigger dogs. Fortunately at that time I only had one dog and was able to grab them quickly to avoid injuries. My 3 run through the house and chase after each other and I throw toys so they get some exercise.

Mine run through the house a lot too and we also throw balls for at least 30 minutes every day. It's pretty good exercise, but for some reason I feel sorry for my oldest doggie. She sometimes sits and stares into space like she's thinking "is this it? I know there is more to life because I got to go everywhere with mommy before my little sister got here and ruined everything!"

[Yorkiedaze]

I agree that it's good for our Yorkies, regardless of size, to get outside to walk, run and play, but I don't think it's necessary that we walk them a mile or so twice a day. We as Yorkie moms also have to keep their best interest in mind and of course their safety. There are lots of ways to keep them socialized and exercised without throwing caution to the wind. There are play-dates instead of dog parks, there are tread-mills to walk and run on when the weather is bad, and our homes and yards to run and play in and invite their friends to come over.
Yorkies are in high demand and too many are being stolen and sold.
I read where a lady who was a retired senior citizen, was out walking her little Yorkie, her "kid", when two men approached wanting to pet her dog then snatched the leash and off they ran. Another girl had her apartment broken into and her tiny Yorkie taken. Another had two guys come to her home to "see" her Yorkie puppies for sale, pulled guns and put the puppies and their mom in lawn and leaf bags and ran. It would be wonderful to just say, we need to live without worry, but sad as it is, it's not a safe place anymore. I won't even walk my girls unless my husband is with me. Even then, we have had two very close calls. The first one my Azrael was attacked. We don't go for long walks very often anymore, but they get lots of exercise and socialization. I think each of us knows what's best for our fur-kids, and should follow our hearts.

[chloesMama]

Chloe is just under three pounds and loves to go on walks. I walk her and Sydney almost daily ...except in the winter... but I still try to walk them atleast twice a week on the better winter days. Sometimes we don't go far at all , just around the block or so , other days we do.. I have my sons or my dh with me most of the time , so I feel safe walking them. If I had to walk alone , I'm not sure I would do it as much and certainly not as far. I would also recommend a doggie sling or backpack type carrier for little ones. I will sometimes pick Chloe up and put her in a sling for a while to give her a break if we want to walk for longer than Chloe can handle.

I really hate them being dirty so I also wash their feet everytime we come in from our walks , it doesn't take much effort and I feel better about them walking on my sofa

I have never taken them to a dog park I just wouldn't feel comfortable there.

[Jellybears]

I know exactly how you all feel about walking your Yorkie. I have got worse and worse being relaxed taking Mr. Darcy for a walk. I have the terrible fear of another dog grabbing him before I can pick him up. I even look around the street to see if there is a pickup I could put him in to get remove him from an attack!! I even bought a dog stroller. I just got it, so don't know if I would take it with me or not. I didn't plan on putting him in it - I think that kinda defeats the purpose of walking the dog!! I also can't leave him outside by himself as we live up north in Canada and there are fischers - lots of cats have gone missing in town....Plus we spend time in Florida, in the winter, and there is a 'dog beach' there, but once again people have their big Rotties etc off the leash....so what to do??

[emmyran]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I agree that it's good for our Yorkies, regardless of size, to get outside to walk, run and play, but I don't think it's necessary that we walk them a mile or so twice a day. We as Yorkie moms also have to keep their best interest in mind and of course their safety. There are lots of ways to keep them socialized and exercised without throwing caution to the wind. There are play-dates instead of dog parks, there are tread-mills to walk and run on when the weather is bad, and our homes and yards to run and play in and invite their friends to come over.
Yorkies are in high demand and too many are being stolen and sold.
I read where a lady who was a retired senior citizen, was out walking her little Yorkie, her "kid", when two men approached wanting to pet her dog then snatched the leash and off they ran. Another girl had her apartment broken into and her tiny Yorkie taken. Another had two guys come to her home to "see" her Yorkie puppies for sale, pulled guns and put the puppies and their mom in lawn and leaf bags and ran. It would be wonderful to just say, we need to live without worry, but sad as it is, it's not a safe place anymore. I won't even walk my girls unless my husband is with me. Even then, we have had two very close calls. The first one my Azrael was attacked. We don't go for long walks very often anymore, but they get lots of exercise and socialization. I think each of us knows what's best for our fur-kids, and should follow our hearts.

Great info about the Yorkie Kidnappers! Thanks! And...I really need someone to walk with us. One of the pond/walking trails I have taken them to a few times, is wonderful and they love it, but sometimes there are strange people just sitting around, watching...and they're alone...no dog or anything. I don't want to be too paranoid, but still want to protect my babies the best I can which means not getting them into an unsafe predicament.

[LilMissy]

I have a 4lber and a 2lber (still a puppy). I do not walk them unless they are in their Petgear stroller.

[emmyran]

I'd like to get a treadmill for winter! Afraid treadmills might be pretty expensive but it would be so great. Thanks, I'll do a search.

Searched hi & low for a nice doggie park around here but they were all full of BIG dogs and I didn't see any tiny ones.

[LilMissy]

Just to add...my girls are out of the house alot. I bring them everywhere with me. They go to and from my kids school three times a day on weekdays, and they come with me everywhere else I go too (except grocery shopping).

I had a bad experience with Missy last summer. A boxer broke away from it's owner and went after Missy. Missy was scampering around like crazy just barely escaping the Boxers teeth when I thought to quickly jerk her up into my arms by her harness. I wouldn't have had as much control with 2 of them. So now that we have Dora too, I feel they are much safer in their stroller. Missy doesn't really enjoy going for walks anyways, she'll last about 15 mins tops then just stand and stare at me until I pick her up. Alot of people around here just let their big dogs roam free (no leash), it drives me nuts! My 3 kids and my yorkies girls in their stroller were approached by a HUGE dog today while walking. It was scarey! I can't imagine how I would have controlled the situation if Missy and Dora were out of the stroller.

[Maximo]

My Yorkie is 8.0 pounds, not very small, but I have to constantly worry about the numerous big off-leash, unattended dogs in my neighborhood.

In fact, Maximo is out of sorts because we can no longer "scoop the loop" as we have done every day (except blizzard day) since he was barely 4 months old. After his neuter, I carried him around the loop for 2 weeks. He lives for his walks and I believe he felt a sense of accomplishment going around the loop. Now we go back and forth to avoid certain houses and doesn't seem to have the same sense of purpose.

I also take him other places to walk, but he likes to do his morning walk in the neighborhood.

I sympathize with those of you who have multiple Yorkies and can't pick them all up when you encounter a threat.