Exercise Guilt I have breathing problems so can not take my 2 Yorkies on long walks. We have large fence yard but they have no interest in going out and running in it. My guilt is over whelming, because I know dogs need exercise. What kind of harm can come of not enough exercise. How much does regular yorkies need. Is going out in yard(off lease) and barking at other people and dogs considered exercise. Any suggestions other than hire a dog walker. Thank you |
You don't have to walk them. You can throw balls for them or multiple other things. You can also hire a dog walker. |
If you have the $, you can buy a dog treadmill but I have a bad hip, cannot walk much at all right now so I rush Tibbe about in the back yard, sending him first to one side to 'see Rusty'(his buddy next door -whether he's outside or not Tibbe still runs to see) and to the back to 'get the squirrel!' or to the other side where 'Maxine' lives, the big dog on the other side and then back to me on the back porch. Then repeat, repeat, repeat until his tongue his hanging out and he takes a break. He'll lie down and 'sun' himself, smack dab in the middle of the yard, lying in the warm/hot sun as long as he can bear it. Then we 'go' again until he tires out again and again. He dashes about out there and inside, I toss treats and chewies and things for him to go 'get' and throw the ball for him and we make great fun of his going to get those things, celebrate him 'getting' them as big wins - 'touchdowns' if he retrieves or runs back with them, 'gets' if he runs to and eats the treats. He loves it! You can also take your dogs out front one at a time on a 50' long leash and allow him to run about to and fro and sniff the smells of the front yard and areas on either side to get in a bit more walking about and toss things for him to run and 'get'. Tibbe thinks of out front as a vacation from his reaction to each visit out there. He adores out front! My Tibbe will also jump up and down his doggie stair steps and up and down his ramp as much as I ask but once he reached age 7, I stopped that, fearing overuse of his shoulder joints when bouncing down the steps but he can still manage the ramp but it's real work for him at the slant they made that ramp. It's not as ideal as a long walk where he gets to explore and sniff all the new scents, 'read' the messages other doggies leave outside for blocks but just letting him go out in the front yard to smell lots of new scents along the front walk and tree helps satisfy some of those desires. But I know the guilt you feel and look forward to one day when we can take at least short walks down the block. It's so awful to me not to be able to walk my dog several times a day but I do manage to exercise him. Would you trust them with a friend or anyone who would volunteer or walk for pay to 'walk' them? |
Exercise I also suffer breathing problems. Small dogs like Yorkies and chihuahuas really don't need exercise like big dogs. They get enough running after us in the house. Consider their legs... they have to walk 10 paces to our one step (unless it's a Yorkie over 10 lbs). They do require fresh air so letting them in the yard to run is good. My Muffin plays fetch and will chase a ball for about 5 min before she tires out. Inside or out is considered enough exercise for our little ones so don't worry about it. If you want to hire a dog walker, then do so but don't cause yourself undo stress because they pick up on that in us and then they get stressed. Just have fun and don't worry. :) |
Sorry, I just saw the 'except hire a dog walker' last sentence. |
Yeah, allowing your little ones to bark at passersby, is not exercise, it's just sorta irritating to others (messin' w/you a bit). Swimming is excellent for overall good health and I believe a reputable doggie daycare could provide a lot of tearing around and mental stimulation. |
My Cali is a high high energy agility dog who wants to always be moving. I got an iFetch and it has been a blessing. Takes a little time teaching her to put the ball back in the cup but once you have mastered that it will give plenty of exercise to a fetch motivated pup! |
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