Walking dogs.

[britishbandit]

Ok, this came up recently, and wanted to find out how many people agree or don't agree that dog's need to be walked.

I think it's very rare that a particular dog doesn't need or shouldn't be walked. The only ones I can see not walking and being acceptable are those with health issues or diseases that don't make it safe for the dog, or other dogs/people it may come in contact with. I know some breeds are "lazy breeds" and really don't care whether or not they go, but in general, should dogs be walked?

For my dogs, YES, they NEED to be walked. I do it for the common reasons, exersize, my leadership role, socialization.....etc. BUT, not only that, even ONE day not walking my dogs, and their behavior is affected, and start to get in trouble around the house. They will get destructive, restless, and PJ will even start to growl at absolutely nothing. And poof, go for a walk, and all is well in the world again.

I hear all kinds of excuses why people don't walk their dogs, and find it quite irritating. Some say it's because their dogs pull, others because their dog doesn't get along well with strangers or other dogs if they happen to pass someone, some who say "I have a small breed, they don't need walks", or because of the weather.

So, saying that, what is everyones take on this subject? Do you walk your dogs daily? weekly? never? And why or why not? I'm very curious about what others think.

[angie023]

i don't walk my dog. the only time i take her for a walk is if the weather is good. my grandmother won't let me take her for a walk in the winter. in the summer time when i'm at camp with her, i take her for a walk. she enjoy's it alot. my dog's name is mitzey. and i think that if a dog that is not being walked should once in a while.

[SpringerLover]

eh? Mine get exercise. We play games, we play agility, we play clicker games, and sometimes we walk. They don't NEED to go for walks daily because they get physical and mental stimulation from other things. I generally DO walk them everyday because I like to walk but not because I think they NEED it.

I have/had a puller which made it not fun to walk her for the longest time. She's great now, if I walk her... but my mom refuses to work with her so she complains a lot about taking her for a walk. A lot of people are unwilling to train their dog to walk with a loose leash, my mom being one of them so I can see how it would greatly affect a person's desire to walk their dog. *shrug* As long as the dog is mentally and physically exercised in other ways, I don't see walks as a NEED to have daily occurance. Mine don't get one every day.

[rottielover]

Harley no walk, uh oh now we in trouble. I do it for many reasons. pretty much same as BB. I use that as a great time to work with the training as well. But we also play around the yard too, games, tug. training.
I think it is very important to walk a dog. Does not have to be 10 miles

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by SpringerLover

eh? Mine get exercise. We play games, we play agility, we play clicker games, and sometimes we walk. They don't NEED to go for walks daily because they get physical and mental stimulation from other things.

Ditto. My little guys run, fetch, chase throughout my property until they drop.
Here is a short video of them before our blizzard.
http://www.dogster.com/video/416547/Fun_outside_111406

However, for the next 3+ months, I'm trying to keep Latte still because he had luxating patella surgery last week. It is not easy.

[sammy]

Some dogs NEED walks, as in they will go crazy and destroy your house, develop behavior problems etc. Some dogs actually need off leash running time, activities like frisbee or dog sports and a large amounts of mental stim in the form of a "job".

Some dogs seem to get by 'ok' without walks but I think they'd all be healthier and happier if they got at least some amount of walks / outdoor time daily.

When you think about it, it's one thing for us to never leave the house and yeard, we have tv, telephone, the internet, hobbies, gardening, work, friends etc. Dogs just have us and what we provide for them. Going for a walk to see some sights and smell some smells is not only good for a dog physical health, it's good for them mentally and it makes them happy. For some dogs a walk might be a 10 minute stroll around the block that invloves lots of stopping and sniffing, but that little walk with you is likely the best part of that dogs day.

A dog who basically never leaves their home and yard is a lot like a zoo animal just with a larger cage. Just because it's a big cage doesn't mean it's fullfilling. The only smell to sniff in thier own yard is the ones they've left-- not too stimulating and the sights don't change either, no dogs to interact with other than perhaps a dog they live with.

I think no matter what's going on, no matter what breed or age of dog, a person should get the dog out once a day for at least a short walk. If you miss a day here and there no biggie but there really aren't any reasons good enough in my mind why pretty much anyone can't provide that bare minimum for their dog by some way or another. When dogs love it so much, it's so good for them, I can't imagine a caring owner not providing that. It's just so basic.
The other benefit is, it's really good for the owners too

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by sammy

A dog who basically never leaves their home and yard is a lot like a zoo animal just with a larger cage. Just because it's a big cage doesn't mean it's fullfilling.

I agree. You put it so much better than the way it was rolling around in my head!

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by sammy

Some dogs NEED walks, as in they will go crazy and destroy your house, develop behavior problems etc. Some dogs actually need off leash running time, activities like frisbee or dog sports and a large amounts of mental stim in the form of a "job".

Some dogs seem to get by 'ok' without walks but I think they'd all be healthier and happier if they got at least some amount of walks / outdoor time daily....

Agree with all of that and see walking as a good way to fulfill some of the needs you outlined. However, I don't think walking satisfies all of the need because they are usually not off leash.

The off-leash time is just as if not more than important, IMO. I think dogs need to run in packs. Although we think we understand dogs, we don't know how to "speak dog" and cannot give them a pack experience by ourselves. That is why in addition to having my dogs run together, I take them to Doggie Day care.

Candidly, I never did Day Care for my dogs until now -- they either didn't exist, I didn't know about them, or I couldn't afford it. Also, I never had more than one dog until now. I was told about the many benefits but I didn't fully understand until now.

I hate to keep comparing dog-rearing with child-rearing but it is so similar. People feel that a child must go to summer camp or homeschool, or whatever. All children don't have to experience the same things to be happy and healthy.

[mrsgrubby]

I think all dogs should be walked for various reasons. I think in general dogs are happier when walked and probably healthier too.

I walk my girls just about every day.

[Rivsky]

My dogs gets around an hour off leash run EVERY morning (regardless of weather - if it's hot we go to the beach, if its raining we both wear jackets!!!) - it just makes me feel better when I have to go to work knowing he's been out, had a good run and is ready for another sleep. We also do LOTS of playing inside - tug, ball, etc.

I think that a dog that gets to leave its yard everyday is a much happier, more content dog. They may not NEED a walk but IMO they NEED to get out and explore the world - how would you feel if you were stuck inside 24/7 EVERYDAY for the rest of your life????

[Beryl]

Why is that we feel it is necessary for dogs to explore the world and don't feel the same about other pets (e.g. cats, fish, etc.)?

[StephOfOz]

I walk Lucy a lot! Not 10 miles a do, though! We live in an apartement and we're gone most of the day. While we play a lot of games and throwing the ball, I still take her running with me a couple of days out of the week to a.) get her some different scenary and b.) "clean her system". She LOVES being outside!! I feel like I deprive her sometimes if I don't walk/run her enough! She has so much energy!

[Shelties]

Casey gets a off leash walk twice a day for an hour, we live on half an acres of land so he's free to run and play.

There are days where i'll just grab him and drive into the city and do a half an hour walk on leash down the street or sometimes we'll even go into pet stores for some socialization ( there is no dog parks around here where i live ).

[Charlie_boy]

IMO i think some dogs really do have a NEED to be walked. Charlie is on the go all the time at home, running, playing getting up to mischeif and with him only being a Shih Tzu he has a good amount of room in the garden too BUT he does get walked. I just figure i would hate to be stuck in the same enviroment all the time so dogs must get a bit fed up with it too. NOW my cousins dog is a dog that NEEDS to be walked. He is a whippet/staffie mix and out of controp to be honest and she has admitted to me that she does not take him for many walks. I am also convinced he has OCD, he will scratch and scrath at shadows or reflections, scrath the wallpaper, chase his tail a LOT and generally beinng really naughty. He is almost 2 now and still potties in the hosue if left on his own. i think dogs with these kind of things going on really do benifit from walks and stimulation. As the saying goes "a tired dog is a good dog!" At least i think thats it lol

Sharon and Charlie

[12weimgirl]

Well there dogs pull, and arent socialized because they dont take them on walks and stuff!!! I totally agree with walking your dogs every day!!! I do and my dog wasnt in any obediance classes, etc or nothing and she doesnt pull on the leash at all!!! I have heard LAME excuses before also.

Lauren