Walking Your Dog

[farwyn]

Well , i've been wondering about something . A close friend of mine has a Golden Retriever and when i asked him about the "walking the dog" part he said :-Moulouk doesnt need it at all ! He has plenty of space to run free every day , so why would we take him out apart from a trip ?

Surely i know one thing , although im new to the Dogs department . Ain't a dog a being ? A creation of nature ? All of those creations need socialisation , interaction . Disallowing your dog to gain access to such obvious mechanisms of his , that basically judge the formation of your dogs character , seems really unhealthy for it ! Its like keeping your child locked inside the house 24/7 which seems quite brutal to me ... But my friend claims that "It's alright ! " .

This may be true for some dogs but for a breed as large as a Golden Retriever it just .. doesnt apply i guess . Besides , as far as im concerned , his dog (its a male) has trouble communicating with others of his race while he's REALLY friendly with humans . Still , when his grandmas yorkie & Schnauzer (hope im getting that right ) , the dog seems ... at least frightened and sick of those 2 , and it's not just these dogs . Many of their friends have brought their pets at their home (not only dogs) , and Moulouks reaction towards them is ALWAYS the same .

So , i've come to the conclussion that NOT walking your dog is at least a crime since you take away what , i think , a dog needs the most , socialisation

P.S : What do you people think about this ? If you have any objections regarding this PLEASE reply since soon i'll be through my pals shoes !

 

[Linda A]

You are right on target! Unfortunately, a lot of people think that if a dog has plenty of room to run they don't need to take them for walks. These are what I refer to as 'backyard' dogs and they are the ones that end up in shelters. Do your friends do any thing with this dog? Any sort of training?

 

[brody_smom]

There are many good reasons for walking your dog that have nothing to do with exercise. Breed and size of dog don't matter, they all need to get out there. They get bored being in the same yard with the same smells. They start to do things like dig holes and bark at birds, etc. because there is nothing there to stimulate his mind. Walking your dog teaches him manners, helps in bonding, gives him access to sights and smells that he wouldn't normally have, and these things are mental exercises which they need as much as the physical. Every time they encounter something new, it is a potential learning experience, which helps them bond to you as their teacher and protector. It builds their confidence in you as their pack leader, knowing you will have their back if they need you. And we need the exercise, too!

 

[farwyn]

You are right on target! Unfortunately, a lot of people think that if a dog has plenty of room to run they don't need to take them for walks. These are what I refer to as 'backyard' dogs and they are the ones that end up in shelters. Do your friends do any thing with this dog? Any sort of training?

Well according to my friend he knows all the basic commands but other from that i think not

Yeah brodys_mom (Sorry ! dont really know how to call you , my apologies) i believe that excercise is an important factor aswell that has important effects upon us aswell ! (Losing some weight for example) But according to my knowledge there's no breed in the world that wouldnt enjoy a loooooooooooooooooooong walk in the mountains with its leader !

 

[sara]

I even take Mouse and Boo for "sniff walks" they can't go far, so we bring a backpack for when they get tired (Boo) and sore (Mouse) The get the rest of the walk to sniff all the smells and get oooohhed and aweeed over LOL

 

[jackienmutts]

Walks serve so many purposes for dogs, all good, so many mentioned above. So sorry your friend's Golden is on the losing end. Maybe you can convince him/her, or show them this thread. Walks also serve as a good bonding time for you and your dog(s), whether you're walking in the mountains, the beach, some trail, or around a city block. It gives you time to watch your dog when he/she reads all the "local news": who peed here yesterday, was he/she cute? neutered/spayed recently? how old were they? cat? dog? did a squirrel run by? was a possum here? oh whoa, the guy down the street stopped and sat on this bench and ate a donut! and score!! he left crumbs!!, oh hey, fresh bird poop!, the list is endless, and the dog discovers all of it!! I also feel bad for dogs who do get walked, but are forced by their owners to remain in a "heel" position and walk perfectly by their side, not being allowed to take in all the wonders of the world. It may not seem like much to us, but to them, it's incredible!! Unless your friend's Golden has acres and acres to wander all day (and does - but if like most Goldens, would prefer to hang with the family), the poor boy is missing out. Even a short walk would be wonderful.

 

[MaryK]

I agree with all the above posts. Walks are more than just socialization, exercise, they're about learning what's happening all around, meeting new friends, bonding (very important) with you and having fun. As Jackie has said, I too hate to see a dog held in the 'strict heel' position when on a walk, they want to feel 'free to sniff and explore' their world.

My boys both know strict heel work, but on their works they trot along slightly ahead, politely crossing behind me (most times) to explore that interesting smell and then back behind me (most times) to trot on ahead. The only time I keep them right by my side is when it's a matter of safety. As I live in the city, they do have to 'come close' when crossing roads, gas station driveways etc. but once past the 'danger zone' they're free to wander ahead and enjoy their walk. Both dogs know 'curb drill' and are very happy to wait and don't cross until I say "O.K.", even though they're both on their leads, it's law here a dog must be leashed at all times when on the sidewalks and public places etc. They do get free runs on the beach, mainly at night though and they just love those times even more.

Your friend's dog is missing out on so much, hopefully you can convince him to read this thread and realize that it's not 'exercise' per se but part of a dog's enjoyment, mental stimulation, socialization and general well being, to go for a walk. It is akin to keeping a child shut up 24x7, cruel and really distressing to the dog, who will as mentioned above, find other less desirable ways to entertain and stimulate themselves.

Heard something awful the other day, whilst calling on a client, that she wants the council to waive dog licenses for people who don't walk their dogs!!!!!!!!!!!! I was horrified and politely explained that that would encourage people to NOT walk their dogs, also explaining why a dog should be walked.

Size is not an issue, small dogs also enjoy and need their walks. And if they get tired, then work out a solution such as Sara has done with Boo and Mouse.

 

[southerngirl]

Like everyone else has mentioned walks are very important no matter what size, breed or age. Yes, you will need to walk different dogs for different amounts of time, but they all need walks. I even walk my 17 year old dog.

 

[MaryK]

Like everyone else has mentioned walks are very important no matter what size, breed or age. Yes, you will need to walk different dogs for different amounts of time, but they all need walks. I even walk my 17 year old dog.

Same here Southerngirl, I too walk my golden oldie, although he's not yet as 'young' as Chase, being a mere 13 years old. He has Cushings and was told by the vets that he could only have a lazy, slow walk. LOL he had other ideas and trots along as quickly as ever. But I do make a concession to his illness, he goes for a separate shorter walk than Ra Kismet, and he's very happy about that.

 

[brody_smom]

I walked my last dog up until her dying day, even though she was in a lot of pain. She still wagged her tail so hard her whole back end wiggled when I got out her leash. She could barely get to the end of the street, and went so slowly it seemed she couldn't go another step, but she still wanted to go out everyday, twice a day. It is so important to them.

 

[MaryK]

I walked my last dog up until her dying day, even though she was in a lot of pain. She still wagged her tail so hard her whole back end wiggled when I got out her leash. She could barely get to the end of the street, and went so slowly it seemed she couldn't go another step, but she still wanted to go out everyday, twice a day. It is so important to them.

I know what you mean Brody's Mom. My late German Shepherd still wanted his walks, even suffering from Myolopathy (sorry not sure about the spelling). Dogs LOVE their walks that's for sure.

 

[farwyn]

Whoa that's really touching ... So it means so much for them even at this age ... I see ... By the way , try comparing humans to dogs at this point ... We're the EXACT opposite , we want to stay away from the world and become isolated in our appartments when we grow too old , at least that what happens here ... Maybe it's about time we humans are taught something from the dogs , right ?

 

[MaryK]

Whoa that's really touching ... So it means so much for them even at this age ... I see ... By the way , try comparing humans to dogs at this point ... We're the EXACT opposite , we want to stay away from the world and become isolated in our appartments when we grow too old , at least that what happens here ... Maybe it's about time we humans are taught something from the dogs , right ?

Very True! We can learn so much from our dogs if we stop and watch them.

 

[farwyn]

Btw , just realised that the poll regarding my dogs name .... isnt producing any results xD I guess ill make a new one with the top names from here but i fear you people are gonna pick the same again xD

 

[MaryK]

Btw , just realised that the poll regarding my dogs name .... isnt producing any results xD I guess ill make a new one with the top names from here but i fear you people are gonna pick the same again xD

LOL we probably will pick the same names but a new, fresh thread may produce better results.

 

[farwyn]

Hahaha true

 

[648117]

Whoa that's really touching ... So it means so much for them even at this age ... I see ... By the way , try comparing humans to dogs at this point ... We're the EXACT opposite , we want to stay away from the world and become isolated in our appartments when we grow too old , at least that what happens here ... Maybe it's about time we humans are taught something from the dogs , right ?

My Nana goes for a walk nearly everyday and on the days that she doesn't walk she goes swimming. I think she still does some aerobics too. She just turned 80 and had a hip replacement a few years ago .

I hope I'm in such good shape when I'm her age

 

[648117]

Some people who do dog-sports (agility, obedience etc) don't walk their dogs.

I asked one of our trainers once if she walks her dogs (she does agility with Golden Retrievers) and she said if she is competing in the weekend then her dogs don't go for a walk on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before the competition. I don't know if that means they get no outings, maybe they just go to the park but not a proper walk, I don't know, maybe she has a large property. She said that if she is competing in competitions on consecutive weekends (such as during summer) they don't get walked.
She said when they are walked it's usually 1/2 an hour. I was amazed and told her that if I only gave Holly a 1/2 hour walk per day she would go insane and would drive everyone else insane too, Holly needs at least an hour with at least 20mins of that off leash and I have to let her play with her friends at the park before agility class or she gets very distracted.
I really thought that her dogs would need more exercise than Holly because they are bigger (without being giant - I know giant breed dogs don't need much exercise) and one of her Goldens in particular looks very athletic (I think it's working line). I always thought that Golden Retrievers were very active but she said they are actually very lazy.
Personally, I love walking Holly and would miss it if I had to stop.

In saying that, I'll admit that Lewis doesn't get walked every day. He is my mums dog so I mostly leave it to her to walk him, when she walks him it's for about 1/2 an hour but if my mum hasn't walked him for two days in a row then I usually take him for part of Holly's walk (or for the full walk and just carry him when he gets tired, usually during the off-leash portion because Lewis doesn't like other dogs) if it looks like she isn't going to take him for a third day.
That usually reminds her to walk him herself as she doesn't really want me to because she thinks it will make him like me more than her (he already likes me the most and she knows it ).
He also doesn't get walked if it's raining heavily because his coat takes ages to dry (even using a hair dryer) if it gets too wet .
We got Lewis (Pomeranian) partly because we knew it wouldn't matter if he sometimes didn't get walked (his old owner never walked him and he does cope fine on the days that he doesn't get walked)

 

[southerngirl]

I walked my last dog up until her dying day, even though she was in a lot of pain. She still wagged her tail so hard her whole back end wiggled when I got out her leash. She could barely get to the end of the street, and went so slowly it seemed she couldn't go another step, but she still wanted to go out everyday, twice a day. It is so important to them.

Chase is like that he loves walks dispite how much they take out of him. Chase overdoes himself at the beginning of the walk so we have to take the rest really slow. Even with me walking slow Chase still lags behind some. His walks are only 15min.

 

[farwyn]

Seems logical for a 17 y/o dog ! Gratz by the way !!!