With respect, see, that's what I don't get, why do we have to "wear them out"?????? I don't like to wear my dogs out, I just like to take them out, get some fresh air, have a good run, meet other dogs, have a play, a sniff around, have me concentrating on them for say half an hour or maybe an hour, and yes, when we get home they're panting, but not exhausted, I would hate to actually wear them out, why would I want to do that?? So that they sleep all day and leave me alone perhaps??? That's not for me, I like my dogs to sleep when I go out, but when I'm here, they don't flake out and sleep that's for sure. They're in and out of the garden, dossing about, sometimes wanting to play together or with me, and the only time I like them to be quiet and relaxed is in the evenings when hubby is home and wants a bit of peace!

I just don't get this "wearing them out" bit, I see lots of it when I'm out, people watching their dogs tearing round and round or constantly chucking the ball from a chucker thing just to "wear them out" and I don't get it! Sorry!

i agree with those who have said that you shouldnt own a dog if you cant (or wont) walk them. when i got jake, i knew that on the days i go to college, i would have to get up extra early to walk jake. and i do. i get up and take him out about 6.30am to the park for half an hour. then he either gets 1 or 2 walks after that, when i finish college and then work. its all part in owning a dog, its an essential part of it.

you are so patronising!

says who? like has been said dogs cant talk, and mine seem happy and are healthy.
ATD x

I'd be dead before I could wear my lot out. A young fit and healthy dog is usually rareing to go again after about 5 minutes rest, so I don't get the wearing out bit either. Dogs can be taught to be calm in the house without the need to run them into the ground. I walk my dogs for pleasure and no other reason to be honest.

Ah somebody who see's what I mean there! If I wanted to walk mine to the point of exhaustion, or even let them run havoc to the point of exhaustion, I'd have to walk/run all blooming day with one of them, not so much with Georgie

Even when I get back from an hour's walk, the frisbee still gets dumped at my feet!!!! Exhausted is an alien word around here, and I just wouldn't want to do that anyway, even though they tell me they haven't had enough when I get back, I know they have, and I have the last word!!!

In my opinion a mix of both "Quantity & Quality" is important, not only for my dogs but for me too

I am fortunate to live by the sea and also the South Downs, so we get to explore wide and far

I confess to not having a routine as such, but then I don't work so am not guided by times etc.

Stimulation is equally as important, which we do in the garden, be it playing ball, agility, or training.

We always do a pavement walk too

This is the devil with a collar and lead on , looks like she has spat the dummy , head down in a mood doesn't want to walk, lead off and shes rareing to go, I wouldn't miss out on any of our walks, that wee face is just shining with happiness...

Plus the fact, I get to take in views like this...

JB, I live in a concrete city too, I'm lucky in that there is a wood and park close by, but I prefer to take the dogs for a run in the car too, we are well travelled every day, I said earlier I wasn't sure if the dogs were happy with or without walks, I just went 6 weeks there waiting for a new dog guard for the car, I nearly took Inka to the vet he was looking so depressed, got the dog guard popped him in the car went for a run and he was back to normal, head up no more depression lol

Then we'll just have to agree to disagree. Dogs that don't go out don't socialise either. We may own our dogs but we don't own their right to have freedom.

Mine gets an hour or so a day, usually split into two walks, but sometimes all at once. My work and school schedule is such that its hard to be consistant about when I walk her every day, but she does get walked every day, unless its pouring down rain. She hates the rain. We actually walk less in the summer than the winter as it gets stupid hot here. Winters are generally mild and pleasant and we can spend several hours out exploring if we take a trip out of city limits.

But I have found that the more(longer) you walk your dog every day, the more he/she will need to be walked every day. Such that, if you become ill or injured or for some reason can't keep up the three hours walks for a couple of days, you will have a very unhappy dog on your hands. But if your dog is accustomed to varried walk times, even missing a day for weather now and again, the more content she will be to accomodate you when you physically can't walk them for a short period of time.

Helena, the more I read your posts, not only on this thread, but all threads, the more I think you are a wonderful person. Your posts on "Am I really that old ?" are great.
You are to this Forum what Mary Whitehouse was to porn.

So there ! You have a fan, it may not be your choice of one, but I am afraid you are lumbered.

John Bull