Questions about walking our Tiny Yorkies.
 

My two yorkies are only 5 lbs each, so it scares me to take them for a walk. I heard a story on Animal Planet about a bigger dog biting and instantly killing a small yorkie on a sidewalk. They were both on a leash.

Anyway, I wondered if I even need to take them for a walk, since we play ball with them inside the house and they both run quite a bit. I want to take them to a park every day, but don't really have time to load them in the car and drive 30 minutes to the park. Our addition has lots of big, unleashed dogs and some are mean, so I don't like to walk around here.

Any suggestions or ideas...or similar problems?

(I did a search for some info but didn't find anything)

as long as you feel they are getting enough exercise indoors you don't need to walk them. But, like all dogs, they love to walk. The person we sold one of our puppies to had his dog killed while walking on a leash. It was a retractable leash, he ran toward the dog and before he could be stopped, the dog grabbed him, shook him and broke his neck. So, yes it does happen. Charlie was 2 when he was killed. Thankfully, we dont' have that problem here.

Yes they do love walks outside don't they! But picking up 2 dogs, takes a little longer than one. I just don't like taking any chances. We also have coyotes out here and they're so sneaky!!

I might put their leashes on and walk them around the house. It's not the same but it's still exercise. :rolleyes:

If they are not getting fat just staying indoors then I think it's ok, but yes dogs just love to walk. they want to go outside. We just recently started walking Uni more often, and wow it has helped with her behaviour so much. We use a retractable lead. Make sure to reel them in when you turn blind corners, or when you see another approaching dog.

We got attacked by a tiny chi once. It was barking and running towards us and I had to pick up Uni and it was still jumping up and trying to snap at her. Another time I was walking her in a different neighborhood and saw a guy with a med size dog who was barking her head off at us. The guy says "oh she's just a big baby, she's friendly". I'm like ok whatever *polite smile* as I pick up Uni and walk away.

Mine are 5 lbs and I walk them outside. In the summer we are always on the trails and taking walks in the forest. We don't attend dog parks. My neighborhood is pretty good about keeping their dogs safe and secure.

Is there anyone else that lives with you that can take a walk with you?

Be very careful of coyotes! Isn't that how Jessica Simpson's dog was killed? Coyote snatched the poor thing while she was walking her!

Dogs, no matter what their size, have a natural instinct to walk. I think all dogs need daily, or at least weekly walks. My friend (who is here on yt) has two 5 lb yorkies who walk with her for over 4 miles. So they can definitely keep up. Just be alert. :) Walking around the house is not the same because it's nothing new. Walking is as mental as it is physical. New sights, new smells, etc are all primal instincts of a dog. They were born to walk and follow. Many people will say "he has this huge backyard - he doesn't need walks!" but it's simply not true. Sure, they may get a lot of exercise but it doesn't fulfill their needs. That's just my take on it!

We have a very big yard, so Jasmine and Prissy get a lot of exercise in the yard. I understand what you mean. I don't like to take my girls on walks. We have a few dogs that run loose in the neighborhood at times and I am always scared of a dog coming up and grabbing one of mine. I don't even let them down at Petco or PetSmart for the same fear. It only takes one dog getting hold of a little one.

:goodpost::thumbup:

My husband gets home from work too late and it's dark outside. Summertime is better, but he doesn't really want to walk at all. :(

And they are neither one fat at all! They're perfect weight now, but a year ago my Vet told me they both could lose a few ounces! LOL Doesn't seem like that would make a difference at all, but I guess it does with tiny doggies.

Laci is 5 pds, I take her for walks all the time, she isnt afraid of big dogs so I am when I see one coming I pick her up..!! Because I am scared..not her!:rolleyes:

In that case, if you are more comfortable with just playing in the house, then just do that. they stay cleaner that way anyway. That was my reasoning before to keep Uni indoors all the time. I didn't want her walking on dirt or grass, then coming into my bed. So now I just have to do a little feet rinse after a walk. No biggie, but like I said, it's helped with her behaviour so I keep walking her.

Well, I just took my girls outside and they wanted to come right back in because it's cold out there. :rolleyes:

I really hate driving to a decent walking park every day, but maybe that's my only safe choice. Guess I could take them once or twice a week, but is that enough?

Gosh, and to think I want another yorkie. :D Does anyone think 3 is too many?

Edit: Capt. noonie, that was another reason, I didn't want them to get dirty either. Where do you take yours for walks?

I take Andy for Two 15 minute walks twice a day weather permitting .Boots and snowsuit he loves to run in the snow .He has a rain coat for yep the rain lol,jackets and sweaters.I usually take a ball and throw it just a few steps ahead of us .He has fun even though its not much .Same thing in the green belt there are so many off leash dogs it makes me mad .If one comes our way or two close I either walk the other way or pick him up . Just keep them at a distance no matter how friendly they say they are unless YOU know them because socializing them to new people and other animals is good . We just have to be on their toes .

Once or twice a week sound just fine to me! it would be more of like a special treat for them!

I walk her around my plaza at work (my shop) around the movie theater, and to the next block where there is a business building with REALLY nice grass. :D I don't walk her in my neighborhood too much, as there are some people that don't pick up their dogs s**t! Also once I get home, same thing it's dark, and I don't like walking her at night b/c I can't see where the s*** is :p Also I tend to think that more bugs are out at night. Not sure if this is fact, but just what I think.

If the weather is good, each Sunday, me and my bf take her to a people park where there is an enclosed baseball diamond and we throw around the ball for an hour or so. We don't go to dog parks anymore. About 3 or 4 dogs in our meetup group got sick from going to a dog park.

Ha ha "boots and snowsuit", "rain coat"! Too cute! We have lots of hooded sweaters, but no rain coat or snow suit. I thought they would be too confining for them to walk. I'll have to look for some because it rains here a lot and we recently had a big snow (and they wouldn't even step in it! LOL)
Where do you take your walks? Neighborhood or park or....?

Right, once or twice a week is probably all I have time to do and you walk yours around buildings and that is great because there's no sxxt (poop)lol AND no other dogs. Yep, most people in our neighborhood don't pick up their poop and they let their dogs poop in our yard (on the edge) and then they just walk away. grrr I've never taken them to a dog park and after what you said, I probably never will. :eek: Yes, there are more bugs out at night (it's true) and what if a mosquito had that disease and bit one of our pups? Yikes!

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.

my guy is only 4 lbs so in a dog stroller for his walks, he loves it ...even though he gets enough excerise in the house, I think he needs the fresh air so that is where he goes plus I can take him anywhere, to the car shows, auctions or a walk around the neighborhood. Some people stare but I don't care

Ok then for sure I won't be walking at night then, I hate bugs. Yeah i hate dog parks, I like people parks better, less of a chance of them getting something b/c there are less dogs there. The one I go to is pretty deserted.


Yes I agree it has helped Uni's behaviour a lot. You can just tell she is SO happy when we go for walks. Before when we would put on her harness, it would only be to go to Petco, and she would be SO excited and screaming at the top of her lungs and pulling on her leash. Not to mention it was embarrassing. Now when we put on her harness, she just makes a squeek or two.

Buuutttt...... sometimes certain situations come about, like the OP, and I would agree with her that since she would be walking 2 dogs on her own, it may be best to go drive to the park once or twice a week.

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.:animal36

It's a shame ppl can't keep dog parks clean :( I'm lucky that the one near me is really nice and most people there are too and you actually run into the same people every week and get to know everybody so it's fun for human & dog, lol. I wouldn't like to take Jackson to a nasty park either. Also, we have a small dog area separate from big dogs and that's very nice.

Yeah, I agree, I think going to the park once or twice a week would be sufficient for sure!

Oh yeah, isn't yours the nice one where you have to pay to get in? I forgot about that. No wonder ours are all gross. Even in the "nice" neighborhoods. There's always "ball stealers" too and the owners don't even *try* to find out whose ball is whos, they just keep on letting their dogs play with it.

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.

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!

OMG that vid! Jackson digging in the sandbox! Then the boy comes by and Jackson gives him a look like, Oh you want in on this too? (I always say "you want some of this hot fire?)

So cute! My sister has a lil' 4 pounder yorkie and she's so precious. I've been looking online at doggie strollers. ;) I think the difference is the size of the dogs because a dog twice that size doesn't appear as vulnerable to an even bigger dog. (did I say that right?.lol) But when we take our teensy dogs out, they look like little mice to big dogs.