[Rocky]

Hi,

I am just wondering if you are walking your Chi/Chis or not (if, why not)?

For me Rocky is like any other dog who should be taken out for walks every day. I will go no matter what the weather is like (even though it will be shorter when raining). I will have at least a 45 minute round every day as well as often going to the park. One of the main reasons why I got him was that I wanted to get outside more and that's what I am doing now . I think it's important for him as well, as Rocky loves sniffing everywhere and marking his usual trees .

So what's your opinion on that? Do you walk or not? Every day? Some days a week? Or not at all? And why?

 

[Kalisee]

Even though my girl goes to the bathroom on her pee pads, I do walk her daily. I mostly walk her so maybe someday she will not be so scared all the time like she is now. Its not easy to walk her but I make it a point that she goes out every day for even a few minutes.
I wouldnt mind if she would learn to pee outside but the pads are not really such a big issue either. Its fine either way. She is walked though, yes. I agree..its very important.

 

[Rocky]

I see how it is important to improve her not being so shy no more. I think pee pads and even toilets are fine, if you still go out anyways. Rocky is naturally quite shy and I am sure he would be even more scared if I wouldn't go out everyday. Defo improved him in getting more confident. Especially as it seems that he can relate better to some of the sounds that come from outside (cars, garbage bins, etc.) and thus won't bark as much (inside) at the sounds of these things as he "knows" what it is.

 

[Wicked Pixie]

Depends how you define being walked lol. I very rarely take mine out on their leads, although my daughter sometimes does. (I can't be doing with all the 'oh look at the cute tiny doggies!' we get from the general public.)
I usually stick them in the car, drive them somewhere nice and let them run off lead. I usually walk for between half an hour and an hour. They run around like lunatics the whole time
We are lucky that there are loads of lovely places to walk dogs around here. I try and rotate between fields, hills, parks, rivers, forests etc. Some walks we will see a lot of other people and dogs, which is great for their social skills, others are more isolated.
The only time we don't bother is if it is raining. My two HATE walking in the rain, (even with their very expensive raincoats on!) so I gave up. They just play inside on rainy days.

 

[Rocky]

I define that a walk! Sounds lovely. Where are you living?? I need to move there!!!!! Would love to have so many fields, hills, forests, etc. around me.

 

[michele]

Yes mine get walked every day,they love to go out and i was told by a vet,dogs need to go out and sniff which is one of their senses, helps they're brain develop

 

[cc.cinco]

Mine will not have a lead, no matter what. I haven't had the heart to force the issue as they are so profoundly distressed by it. I'd love to hear some ideas about the issue as it makes it so difficult to take them anywhere. My previous dog didn't like the leash at first either, but these guys are different. The leash means something to them and I don't think I want to know what it is, but I'd sure like to get them settled down with it.

 

[chideb]

With a fenced in back yard (1/2 acre,) our dogs are out for playtime with us present due to birds of prey in the area~so we do not take walks.

 

[Rocky]

@cc.cinco: When Rocky was a puppy he hated the leash. Try to choose a lightweight leash. First place the leash in front of them with some treats all on and around it so they will see its nothing harmful. If you then put the leash on their harness (or collar) leave it loose (don't pull on it so they won't feel the weight. some dogs seem to be scared feeling a weight dragging behind them). Go in front of them take a treat and try to make them come to you. As soon as they walk praise them and give them a treat. Do this a couple of times, even call them to encourage them to coem and praise them loads if they walk towards you. I am sure they will understand really shortly that walking on a leash means praise and treats .

You should first do this with one dog at a time though.

@ Michele: I think it's really important for dogs to have the chance of using their senses. Keeps them active as well and will tire them out.

 

[thatrandomgirl]

I don't really have a walking schedule. I walk on occasion, so I put weekend as my answer.

It's not because I don't think it's important. It's just making time for it when it's not so darn hot. It's something I'd definitely like to start doing at least a few times a week, then possibly start going every day.

Sometimes I bring Stella to the ranch where my horses live, but she can be a bit out of control off lead... I don't take her unless I know I can keep a very close eye on her.

 

[doginthedesert]

We walk, hike and in this horrible (105 degrees) weather we sometimes walk on the treadmill (I think that counts as a walk)! Kerri is so incredibly high energy that if she doesn't get a walk she is just bouncing off the wall. I love walking my dogs- it gets me out of the house and active every day no matter how lazy I am feeling.

cc^ I would start by attaching the leash and letting them just drag it around the house behind them for a while. Then once they are good with that hold it and walk around behind them. Once they are good with that you can try directing them around the house- encouraging them to follow you. Just take it in baby steps. Also what kind of harness/collar do you use? Maybe try something different.

 

[Finn]

Where I live there is no "walk," only "hike," with predators at large. I have two dog backpacks and am planning on upgrading to a big one. I also want one of those dog joggers so we can drive to a neighborhood and take turns walking/riding in the stroller.

 

[Missygal]

I take Emmie out for 2-4 short walks everyday. Having a bit of LP she needs the exercise. My vet said to do a few short walks instead of long ones.

Bailey comes once in awhile. Shes scared still so were taking it slow!


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[cc.cinco]

A fence is my next project. Wish I had 1/2 acre! I'm so jealous! We also have birds of prey - most notably, in our neighborhood, a huge owl. He's beautiful, but MAN he's big! Little Hoot would just be like an hors d' oeuvre. Fortunately we have enough rabbits in the area to keep "big bird" fed. Although...now that I think about it...I haven't actually seen any rabbits for a couple of weeks...hmmm...

 

[Rocky]

Ohh, poor Bailey still being scared. I think it's good to take it slow. She will get there eventually .

I find that Rockys LP is improving feeding greenlipp mussel extract and walking daily (as we first got adviced to take it easy on Rocky and don't walk him, but the specialist adviced exact opposite). Seems like the more we walk the stronger his leg gets .

 

[Missygal]

Ohh, poor Bailey still being scared. I think it's good to take it slow. She will get there eventually .

I find that Rockys LP is improving feeding greenlipp mussel extract and walking daily (as we first got adviced to take it easy on Rocky and don't walk him, but the specialist adviced exact opposite). Seems like the more we walk the stronger his leg gets .

I agree they need the exercise plus Emmie absolutely loves her walks!!


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[cc.cinco]

cc^ I would start by attaching the leash and letting them just drag it around the house behind them for a while. Then once they are good with that hold it and walk around behind them. Once they are good with that you can try directing them around the house- encouraging them to follow you. Just take it in baby steps. Also what kind of harness/collar do you use? Maybe try something different.

I tried that with collars and snap leads - no luck. I was wondering about just a slip/kennel lead with no collar. Like if they knew they can get it right off when I let go of it...? It would probably still distress them but perhaps not as much, after a few times? They don't wear collars but they don't seem to mind it when I put them on.

 

[Buildthemskywards]

I walk Mylo every day unless it's raining because he hates the rain. I usually go before I have to leave for work so he's tired when he goes in his crate. It's usually at least half an hour but if I have time we'll go out for an hour. If it rains we'll have an extra long play instead. He has a lot of energy so his behaviour is better, I feel less guilty about leaving him in this crate and it keeps him fit and healthy. I think it's important for them to get outside and he's become more used to traffic, he loves meeting people and especially children (but always has) and is getting used to things like birds and cats. We meet some dogs but there hasn't been much improvement in that area. He goes in his crate for about 2 hours until my OH gets home. They'll have a play session and then a walk after tea. If Mylo isn't too tired he sometimes comes with my OH to pick me up from work (about 35 mins of walking and a train ride)

 

[chideb]

A fence is my next project. Wish I had 1/2 acre! I'm so jealous! We also have birds of prey - most notably, in our neighborhood, a huge owl. He's beautiful, but MAN he's big! Little Hoot would just be like an hors d' oeuvre. Fortunately we have enough rabbits in the area to keep "big bird" fed. Although...now that I think about it...I haven't actually seen any rabbits for a couple of weeks...hmmm...

I am very blessed having a nice sized back yard with a chain link fence..lol Our "big boy, Bear" keeps it well protected from intruders.. he is 90 pounds and would not take kindly to any dogs other than our "little ones" attempting to share his space. We are in the suburbs, not a city, and have hawks and owls out here.

 

[AussieLass]

I am just wondering if you are walking your Chi/Chis or not (if, why not)?

Or not at all? And why?

Two occasionis you ask "Why?" people choose not to walk their dogs ....

My answer to that is, "I have my reasons (several), and they're all of a personal nature".

Additionally I will not leave myself open to critisism or judgment from others (who might've had one dog for all of 5 minutes) by discussing the how for's and wherefor's of why I do not ever put my perfectly leash trained dogs on couplers and wander aimlessly around city streets with 2 braces in tow, despite such activity being perfectly mastered by all parties concerned.