Am I A Bad Mommy?

[JenniferLeigh]

Originally Posted by Vinniedoggy

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.

Personally I agree too. It also provides socialization to different experiences which I think is important.

For example the lady across the street has a dog whom she never takes for walks. She thinks the he has enough room to exercise in his dog run but then she complains that he isn't very friendly and can be aggressive. I wonder why? Perhaps its because he was never properly socialized or exercised.

Now this womans dog is a doberman who requires a lot more exercise than a yorkie but I still think it's important to get your dogs out to experience new things.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

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

I don't believe in keeping any dog inside all the time. Walks are an essential part of a dogs life. If you don't have a desire to ever walk a dog, then why get one? I understand things like weather come into play, and lack of time, etc. Even if there is a point in your life where you literally just cannot walk your dog due to lack of time, weather, etc and have to have a month or two of no walking... I simply can't fathom not ever doing it, or wanting to, or putting forth an effort to. I live on 3 acres with 90 acres of farmland behind us... no sidewalks, or neighborhood, so I have to drive up the road to give Jackson a "real" walk with sidewalks, etc. Yes, a game of fetch indoors, or chase, etc, can substitute real outdoor exercise, but it should not be a replacement, IMO.

Not only for the physical aspect of exercise is getting outside essential, but also mental. My dad has a huge fenced in backyard and 2 dogs, and I often bring Jackson. It's GREAT exercise for them to run around and chase, etc, and while it can be fine to do that for a few days... my stepmom STILL takes them on walks around the street, just to drain their energy, and for change of scenery. Look at it this way... a backyard (or a dog park) is basically like a Chuck E. Cheese for dogs, as it is to kids. It's a GREAT place to be able to let them run free and do whatever, but it doesn't provide structure.


Back to this quote: But they can't miss what they don't have. I find that a lot of people claim their dog HATES walks, etc. And sure, I'm sure that can be the case for some dogs... but it's typically the lack of effort on the owners part, and if they've never experience a true fun walk, they don't know what they're missing. I've seen it time and time again on It's Me or the Dog and the Dog Whisperer.. the owner claims the dog simply won't walk, and once they discover how great it can be, they LOVE it. I dogsit for a Rottie and as a young pup, he HATED it, because it was new to him. It took a good 4 weeks to get him movin' and now he absolutely loves to walk.

I will never be in agreement with keeping any dog indoors 24/7 on potty pads unless a serious medical condition requires it. I don't care if a dog is 4lbs or 200lbs, they are still dogs. I know two 4lb and 6lb yorkies who walk 4 miles a few times a week, and go to the dog park weekly, and can keep up with 15lb Jackson easily. Why? Because their owner allowed them to do it... and didn't ever keep them confined or keep them away from doing it.

[e_gar]

I try as often as I can to take the boys out for a walk. Miloh loves grass so much that as soon as he sees grass he gets extremely happy & begins to jump like a bunny! Totally agree with Britster! Allowing our babies to explore new places should not be a questionable thing.

[TwoforFun]

I do believe it depends on your dogs personality. I have three of them and I have to carry one when I'm walking my other two. My girl that I carry loves to smell the roses and only feels secure when she has her space and doesn't feel invaded by others. If I let her loose in the yard she takes off like a bullet but if I walk her she get's behind and scopes everything and not even ten minutes she's begging to be picked.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by TwoforFun

I do believe it depends on your dogs personality. I have three of them and I have to carry one when I'm walking my other two. My girl that I carry loves to smell the roses and only feels secure when she has her space and doesn't feel invaded by others. If I let her loose in the yard she takes off like a bullet but if I walk her she get's behind and scopes everything and not even ten minutes she's begging to be picked.

Yes, I agree it can definitely depend on personality. But let me ask, when your one would beg to be picked up... what would you always do? I'm going to assume you did just what she asked: picked her up. They learn very quickly, after one time, that they can manipulate you (LOL- Jackson knows I can't resist his little face looking up at me while I'm on the computer so he'll sit there and stare at me, and I wind up getting down on the ground and playing with him). So they totally know what they are doing. I guarantee if you just ignored her, she would continue walking. It's typically always a matter of owners over indulging, sometimes without even trying.

[yorkieusa]

Kacee loves to walk, but that is how I started her out. On weekends, we walk twice (sometimes more) a day. One walk is two miles. Two walks = four miles. We always end up walking a bit more though. During the week, this time of year, we can only walk two miles of an evening and afterwards, we play in her fenced yard for quite awhile. She loves the stimulation of the walk and loves to stop and visit with friends and their little dogs, too.

[Sgt_Cooper]

well I think what ineed to do is invest in one of those curved gated things for the door. He was just 3 months when i got him last nov. so i didnt worry w walks till spring , he enjoyed it but it caused him to dart out the door more and it was dangerous. we live close to the road and he was hard to catch so i stopped the walks because it scared me. But I guess if we get one of those fancier curved gates that might help. We live in a rural town with no dog parks no trainning classes etc.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Sgt_Cooper

well I think what ineed to do is invest in one of those curved gated things for the door. He was just 3 months when i got him last nov. so i didnt worry w walks till spring , he enjoyed it but it caused him to dart out the door more and it was dangerous. we live close to the road and he was hard to catch so i stopped the walks because it scared me. But I guess if we get one of those fancier curved gates that might help. We live in a rural town with no dog parks no trainning classes etc.

Quite the opposite usually occurs---when a dog is cooped up indoors, they tend to door dart because they want to get outside sooo bad. A dog that is outdoors and walked often won't have as much of a desire to do so because they know they know they are going to get to do it without having to dart out. Teaching a stay command is fairly simple and will help with door darting. But I agree, a gate at the front door is always a GREAT prevention tool!

[Roccosmommy]

Originally Posted by Britster

Quite the opposite usually occurs---when a dog is cooped up indoors, they tend to door dart because they want to get outside sooo bad. A dog that is outdoors and walked often won't have as much of a desire to do so because they know they know they are going to get to do it without having to dart out. Teaching a stay command is fairly simple and will help with door darting. But I agree, a gate at the front door is always a GREAT prevention tool!

Agreed. Or, just make sure that leash is attached before you open the door. He will eventually know that he will go out when he sits so you can attach the leash. They catch on really quickly - Rocco was sitting and waiting at 4 months.