MUST? who say so?

And my dogs are not socialised. Living in a very remote and secluded place this matters not one iota.

And given I am semi housebound?

Why call them "poor dog"? They let me know when anyone is near, have me around all the time..

I took on Amber knowing I was of limited ability but knowing that I would walk her 3 times a day even if it were not far. She has met loads of other dogs just out on the green and indulged in lots of rough and tumbles. This last week I have been very ill but her walks irrespective have been my priority; I couldn't walk far so I have had to resort to sitting on my rollator and throwing the ball for her to get the exercise but no matter how rotten I felt she needed her exercise. She knows I am not well and sticks to me like glue but I would never be without her even if I have to buy a mobility scooter to make sure she gets her exercise. Sometimes my son will walk her further for me.

absolutely great. I have to walk some myself to avoid the deconditioning that many with M.E fall into. So we go three times around the outside of the house.. used to go down the lane more but am not fit for that just now. collie cannot walk far now anyways at 13 and wee dog runs around all the time. She is half bassett scent hound so follows her nose literally as soon as she is out.. it twitches!

As you will realise from the photo of the house here I have no neighbours so they meet no other dogs or people. That is fine for my lifestyle. And theirs..

I don't think distance matters too much .

Rose, I think you are right you adapt and the dogs adapt. Amber loves her sessions on the green just chasing after her ball when I throw it for her. She does her ablutions out there and I clean up then we go to the dog bin and I throw the ball back towards home and she is backwards and forwards all the time. I still think I was right to take her on she has been my constant companion on days like today when Steve has gone fishing until late. A rollator is a must so you can sit anywhere, but a mobility scooter would be better!

Sorry but I took on the responsibility of Lola, with 4 disabilities one of them means that most days I cannot even wear the simplest item of clothing like Knickers, knowing that for 90% of the time I wouldn't be able to walk her! She gets a couple of walks a week, which consists of me walking to the park, around the park as much as I can then putting her training lean around a tree and throwing a ball for her to fetch etc! She has a dog flap and free reign of the conservatory and big garden. I spend all day with her and my other dogs playing, talking, training and cuddling!
The other choice was she could have stayed with her family, who was clueless about Staffies, in a 3rd floor flat with the very possible chance that by now she would have been put to sleep!!
Yes in an ideal world she would be walked 3 times a day, but its not an ideal world and I can at least say I have saved 1 over bred by idiots dog. She is loved and cared for and alive.....that is why I took on the responsibility knowing she wouldn't get walked daily! xx