How often do you walk your dogs?

Weekdays I walk all 6 first thing in the morning for around an hour off lead, slow walk for me cos the 2 old boys are doddery but they wouldn't miss their walk for anything. In the evenings I take the 4 younger dogs out for a 'proper' walk again around an hour but this time I can actually walk without stopping or waiting for the oldies to catch up! The old boys would like to come on a 2nd walk but it's not good for them and it gives the younger ones a chance to let rip without me worrying about them bowling over the oldies. :rolleyes:

At the weekend they all get a long morning walk on the beach and then 3 stay at home and the 3 'good boys' come with me to the yard for the day. They spend the day pottering around the yard, playing with all the other dogs and if I'm hacking out off road Sidney comes hacking too. They go home totally and utterly shattered and I give the 3 others a quick round the block if they want...generally they are happy to go without tbh.
 
Like BC, depends on time of year, how I am working, what we are aiming for at that particular time. Anywhere between a total of 90 mins - three to four hours (not all at once!).
At the mo, big dog is out for 60-90 minutes walks (either in one go or in two smaller walks) and 'out' out all day and night, puppy is too young to do any hard work so he gets little bursts, socialisation, training, trips in the car etc.
FI just back from the beach with him and going to take the big dog to the forest once I have had lunch. When working, they both get exercised separately on either side of that, probably a total of 90 minutes between the both of them, per day.
Yesterday was on my feet for four hours, between the pair of them and helping out with a mountain rescue team during the day.
Yes, I am exhausted :p
 
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My 3 aren't so lucky as others mentionned so far :( they have 3 or 4 walks a day 20-40 mins a time for the girls and less for the wee yin. At the weekends the pup comes to the stables with me and just poddles about for a few hours.
 
1 or 2 walks a day, off-lead, time varies but he always gets a proper run and possibly a swim. Training is additional to this, depends on how hard we're working at any one time.
 
Always walked, but some days, depending on weather (if too hot) generally one 1-2 hour walk on a night (I say walk) they actually run and are literally paggered, cos having a large pack means loads of running and play, and having lurches and whippets means very fast knackerizing amount of chasing:D
If cool, then 2 lots of walks, one field run and then a late night nature reserve walk.
Panner and bud run 10 times more (at a steadier pace) cos they scent and hunt the whole time.:rolleyes:
 
It depends they get 2/3 walks a day depending on the time of year off lead and as Cayla said its not walks more running. My dogs play fight and gallop about like nobodies business. How long they walk/run is really dependent on what I am doing but 2-3 hours is normal.

I believe in training as short sharp burst of 10mins 2/3 times a day which is additional to their walks. Sometimes if a friend comes over we might drive off somewhere and be gone for 2/3 hours with our dogs. Also if my daughter is not working her and her boyfriend will also take them out. They are really fit and lean and are always up for a walk.:D
 
My gosh your dogs get a lot of walks! I guess now it's time for me to be shameful...

My dogs get walked about once a week, and if we go anywhere at weekends they come too. However this doesn't mean they're stuck inside all day before RSPCA attacks :P

I have two - a tripod border terrier and a dachie x whippet, border thinks of little Otto as her son and is very protective. He's a wuss and if approached by a strange dog throws self on back and whines, and Tilly's straight in there. Therefore if we take them anywhere we have to keep them on the lead and keep Tilly to heel which she dislikes and she mooches along not looking impressed.

So as a compromise, they have the free run of all the fields around our house, owned by our neighbour (with permission of course). She has several dogs and after careful watching and many hours of work they all now get along fine, the only dogs Otto is confident with and providing he's in no danger Tilly is a sweetie. There's small ponds, no public footpaths and they run and track and swim with our neighbours dogs all day for about 6-7 hours. I've been told this is cruel and they have no variety (there's over 20 acres) by someone who walks their dogs 3 times a day around the same woods... They have plenty of toys when they come inside (they can both fit through the cat flap) and human interaction, and are always content playing or swimming or whatever. Never had trouble with them running off either as they always return for food and they know all farmers dogs around here - plus farmers know them. All ways onto roads are securely fenced against sheep and so they cannot fit under - never seemed interested in doing so. They don't bother sheep at all, have found them keeping the farmer company and sitting next to him whilst his dogs herded, not slightest bit interested, so I know they'll never be shot by farmers either!

Would you consider this a fair exchange for not being walked? If they were walked they would be walked to a public footpath a few miles away, kept on the lead... Of course they do go out, but mainly just on weekends to horsey events so they do get variety...
 
Twice a day, they get an hour before we go to work and the back door left open for them so they have access to the garden then again in the eve for another hour or so. We do lots of dummy training with them incorporated into the walk. At weekends we are out for longer, 2-3 hours
 
If people's dogs are stimulated and exercised daily then I don't have an issue and it sounds like your dogs have a lovely life - obviously most multiple dogs/a pack will exercise themselves.
Personally speaking, I really like dogs to see cars, busy roads, kids, bikes, lorries, tractors, the beach, the forest, the park, to be OK with walking down the street, crowds etc.
Lack of socialisation is a huge problem in my breed and if, God forbid, they got lost, stolen, stolen and dumped or escaped my vehicle, I'd like them to be able to handle situations without freaking out.
 
Solo1 said:
My gosh your dogs get a lot of walks! I guess now it's time for me to be shameful...

My dogs get walked about once a week, and if we go anywhere at weekends they come too. However this doesn't mean they're stuck inside all day before RSPCA attacks :P

I have two - a tripod border terrier and a dachie x whippet, border thinks of little Otto as her son and is very protective. He's a wuss and if approached by a strange dog throws self on back and whines, and Tilly's straight in there. Therefore if we take them anywhere we have to keep them on the lead and keep Tilly to heel which she dislikes and she mooches along not looking impressed.

So as a compromise, they have the free run of all the fields around our house, owned by our neighbour (with permission of course). She has several dogs and after careful watching and many hours of work they all now get along fine, the only dogs Otto is confident with and providing he's in no danger Tilly is a sweetie. There's small ponds, no public footpaths and they run and track and swim with our neighbours dogs all day for about 6-7 hours. I've been told this is cruel and they have no variety (there's over 20 acres) by someone who walks their dogs 3 times a day around the same woods... They have plenty of toys when they come inside (they can both fit through the cat flap) and human interaction, and are always content playing or swimming or whatever. Never had trouble with them running off either as they always return for food and they know all farmers dogs around here - plus farmers know them. All ways onto roads are securely fenced against sheep and so they cannot fit under - never seemed interested in doing so. They don't bother sheep at all, have found them keeping the farmer company and sitting next to him whilst his dogs herded, not slightest bit interested, so I know they'll never be shot by farmers either!

Would you consider this a fair exchange for not being walked? If they were walked they would be walked to a public footpath a few miles away, kept on the lead... Of course they do go out, but mainly just on weekends to horsey events so they do get variety...
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Nope I think thats fine if it suits you and them, they are lucky to have that luxury on their doorstep! I would be very concerned at mine being off doing whatever on their own all day tbh but each to their own, they clearly have a nice time and lots of freedom.
 
Im afraid this is where I fall down, I walk my dogs through the village and they see kids,prams & bikes, sometimes I dont see anyone so try to go when school kicks out.

Living out of the village it is difficult, we do get a lot of visitors postman etc but I realise this isnt enough.:(
 
Me too DG, mine dont see enough other dogs, thats my main issue, everything else is fine! I even went through a period of actively seeking out places where loads of dogs are, but I couldnt find any! LOL They are all fine with people/crowds/traffic/cyclists etc
 
Oooo we (well, my mum) used to breed and show GSD, I remember doing a lot of training of puppies to get them used to shows and they were socialised often, but these two are companions rather than having a certain job. I will never forget going to Crufts for the first time with a puppy and it's eyes half popping out and my mum bustling up with 3 older ones going 'bloody hell it's quiet today' and me looking over the crowds and crowds of people wondering how dear little Iona was going to cope :P
 
Sounds like yours are happy with their life Solo, though have to admit I too would worry about mine being out of sight for a long time. I too struggle with meeting other dogs, so always make a real effort to socialise pups well. Crufts is quite a shock for dogs sometimes isn't it, particular a breed like GSDs who are used to most of their shows being open air affairs with loads of space. What was your mums affix (pm if your prefer)?

LOL, snap CC nosy pair aren't we!
 
PMed you both :) I was only young at the time so I wonder if either of you have heard of us! Love love GSD, we only moved to borders as we needed something smaller, would not hesitate in getting another!
 
Dex gets 30 mins in the morning, and an hour at night during the week. Plus probably an extra hour on top of that each weekend day- but sadly it is all on lead. He also carries panier's to wear him out more with baked beans in- not every walk but some. He also gets runs round his agility course/ball play in the garden and 3-4 10 min training sessions a day plus an hours class....

... but like everyone else depends on the weather he does always get 1.5hrs walk a day though no matter what.
 
betty gets a 40 min walk on weekday mornings, then out in a kennel and run while we are out at work.

1-2 hrs walk in the evening- time off lead, walk duration, terrain varies depending on weather!

if its nice then some nights she goes off with calum: up mountains to go fishing, if the weather is horrible and the tide is out we go to the beach... we cant go when its nice, as we don't mix very politely with other dogs! :rolleyes:)

weekends she spends either up mountains, fishing, bombing about in my horses field and/or playing like a loony with my young cousins! she loves them more than me... and i feed her! :rolleyes:
 
I take mine out for about 1 hour after work, down the lanes and fields and mostly off lead. They chase each other about. At the weekends it can be longer if we go further afield, to the coast or Peak District. In winter, its usually 30 mins on lead round the roads after work and off lead wallking at weekends. Both are good around people and other dogs. Sometimes they go to my dad's who has a GSD and a jrt and they get on with them, or my sister's who has two gsds. I also take one or the other to dogtraining on a Sunday (haven't managed to persuade OH to take the other yet).
 
Twice a day every day no mater what the weather. If i'm going out with the horse then it'll be one long run for both the animals. They play chase together!!!!
 
I've just realised how bad 'depending on the weather' sounds - I mean if it's too hot! :p

At the moment they're having an hour and a half first thing in the morning, I aim to be back by 9am, just a quick 20 minute pootle round the shady woods at lunch time for wees and leg-stretching and then another hour at about 8pm when it's cool.
 
Yeah I meant if its baking hot of a weekend I wont subject him to a 3 hour walk to a distant pub at midday!! Not if its peeing with rain- he doesnt give a toss if he gets wet....
 
ha ha! yeah- we are out in all weather also... if i waited for dry weather the dog would never leave the house!

i do notice a huge increace in dog walkers when the sun shines though.... where have they been all winter??!!

weather depending for us is actually more- weather dictates WHERE we go and what we do! :D
 
my puppy comes out with me and my lurcher every morning for 20 mins, he walks across one of my fields while my lurcher charges round like a loon. They then get a visit from a friend and her two labs and play outside for a couple of hours 3 times a week while my friend gardens here. Or another friend walks her three dogs and mine go out with them. When I get back about 4.30 they come out on the yard with me and meander around meeting and greeting the liveries for a couple of hours. I then take them both out at around 9pm for a last walk. all their walks are off lead, we have 30 acres, so they are free to roam where they want. My lurcher will run miles, hunting. My pup sticks with me so he doesn;t get over exercised. We rarely take lead walks, although both are used to crowds and will happily walk through town and we have liveries and builders around the place so loads going on for them to see.
 
Speshul muppet-collie gets at least an hour and a half every day unless it is absolutely completely disastrously torrential (in which case he refuses to go out of the door) or too hot, in which case we go to the beach and play without him overheating (he flops down in the sea if he gets anywhere near too hot :D). We never walk on the roads as he's absolutely terrified of traffic, so he's off the lead the entire time.

He then has the option to be outside for as much of the rest of the day as he likes - has the run of an acre of safe, enclosed garden. If, for any reason, he can't play in the garden (e.g. if there're strangers around) we go and play in the doggy sand arena.

We also do obedience, agility, HtM and/or flyball training at least a couple of times a week.

He's a very, very difficult dog who has a lot of issues. He's ok with other dogs out on walks (just ignores them - we can tell him to sit and watch and he won't take his eyes off us whilst other dogs sniff around him) but we don't trust him with strangers... he's fine as long as they don't try to pat him, but if they tried to stroke him we'd worry that he would try to bite.

And before I get given out to for not socialising/training/handling my dog properly, my mother is a vastly experienced professional dog behaviourist/trainer. The reason we have the dog is that no-one else could handle him and between us we've transformed him from a nutcase who wouldn't let anyone even stroke him and who was facing being PTS to a lovely family dog who we can now groom, compete with and generally live with happily. However, we just don't trust him with anyone outside of the family. He is totally and utterly terrified of traffic so why subject him to it? Similarly he can't handle crowds.... but we live at the end of a mile-long private lane and have no problem taking him traffic/crowd free areas to walk him every day, so it's not an issue for us :)
 
Well, collies are just...*different*

(runs and hides :p)

I didn't mean to give out, I hope that's not how it was taken, I just mean that's what I like with my own dogs and I definitely think GSDs need to be well socialised, my older male came to me at six months and had never been off 'the farm' (very swanky kennels :p) and I had a lot of work on my hands to get him to be 'normal'!!
Horses for courses as always :)
 
Half hour morning, hour at night "i'm taking the dog for a walk" walk. Plus a few hours pootling round the yard, the odd ride with the horse, trip to beach, longer walk if I feel like it, as and when. So sometimes loads of different walks a day for hours and sometimes just two but always at least two for at least an hour and a half a day.

On the very few occasions she has had to make do with much shorter walks she has been a right royal pain in the butt! :D
 
Oh they totally are different... they're all 'speshul'! We've always had collies, since we do so much training/working them, and every single one of them has been... err... unusual :D

We're sure that the early socialisation (or lack of) is a big part of our muppet's issues... but he does also have some sort of mental disorder for sure. He was shut in a stable on a farm as a pup and was quite old when he first had human contact. However he was quite nice as a very young dog, but then took a turn for the worse around 18 months/2 years. Now, as I say, he's a great dog for us - still occasionally flips the lid, but increasingly rarely, and he now 'handles' himself... so when he does suddenly get a panic (and there's no trigger as such that we've ever found) he takes himself off to his bed or behind a chair until he feels safe, instead of biting :)

He is just a completely unique dog, he's a pure back-to-front animal.... when he should be nervous/alert/barking he doesn't even bat an eye, but some every day things are major events. The DVD player opening, for instance, is the work of satan himself and if anyone even picks up a DVD he runs and hides, but thunder/lightening/hot-air balloons/gunfire not a problem. He follows the lawn tractor around and around the garden - always two feet behind it, prancing along, toy in his mouth and tail in the air, LOVING life... but if a car were to drive past him on the the other side of the hedge he'd be traumatised. Exciting things like the postman or all of the strange dogs who come to our house for training are ignored, but if anyone should try to light the fire or sweep the floor, it's the event of the century and is met with much spinning in circles, yapping, squealing, leaping and prancing. :rolleyes:

Stoopid different speshul collies :D
 
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