Do any of you get the idea that people make up how far they walk their dog?!

My friend asked how much/often Roo goes out, to which I said about 3 times a day, 2 x 20 min walks and one of about 1-1 1/2 hours, probably about 5-6 miles altogether.

My friend then said that was nothing and her and her dog go for 10 miles every single day! I know this is complete nonsense because she walks around my block once a day and its nothing like 10 miles!

Sometimes I think people have such a false idea of how long 1 mile is to walk, anyone else get this?!

One of our neighbours has a JRT and they said 5 miles is nowhere near enough for Roo and that their JRT walks over 12 miles daily. It starts to get at me when people say he doesn't go out enough, I know he gets plenty of exercise

I don't get it does anyone else get people like this

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A mile in good walking speed would take about half an hour I reckon, so I reckon I walk about 4 miles a day, but I say it by how long I'm out cos the dog walks much further than me as he runs around, plays with dogs and walks around me. 10 miles would be about 5 hours walking, most people would never do that every day.

I think it's more important how long you are out instead of how far you walk. Don't worry, you sound like you walk your dog enough.

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Hi, . I take mine to the woods ( about 500yards away)Let them off and Walk round it a couple o times takes about an hour but the distance they cover and the rate they cover it would be impossible to judge.therfore you might count it as 5 mile walk but I guarentee your dogs done an awful lot more.

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I go by how long I'm out rather than distance done.

Hi

I have two smaller dogs, one terrier X and one Corgi X!??? They get probably similar to Roo.

We are lucky in that we live in a farmhouse in farmland, so we can just go straight out onto the track and walk miles, but it is only 20 minutes in the morning on a circuit and longer in the evenings, they go to work three days a week with the other half and he walks them in the park lunchtimes, which they love, because of all the sniffs and other dog contact.

A lot depends on the dogs, but they do need to get out at least once a day for a good walk, just to relieve the boredom and do what dogs do.

I know there are days when it 'goes out the window' and you can't do as much as you like, but I never cease to be amazed at people who have training and behaviour problems, but never take there dogs anywhere!!! How are they supposed to be well adjusted dogs!!??


Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

Quality is more important then quantity.
Today we had a 20min road walk to the fields, then about 1 and a half hours off lead meeting other dogs and playing then 20 min walk through the town centre so I could check my bank balance!!, but very interesting smells for the dogs..
Now 2hrs later they are spazzing out again..Seriously if you want a low energy dog, dont get a Chihuahua!LOL

Their fitness levels adapt, all you get when you walk dogs such long distances evry day is very, very fit dogs, it's hard to keep that up so then you get bored dogs with lots of energy they can't expend. Great!

I do 3 walks a day 2 x half an hour in the morning and before bed, one longer one at 6. I try and get out of the city and do a few country/suburban walks at the weekend.

Worth noting that wild/street dogs spend most of their time lounging about and hardly run at all unless necessary...

I agree what you say about wild/street dogs, some of the most well soclialised dogs I ever come accross were strays picked up on the streets, they had great social skills with both people and dogs!!

However most wild or street dogs are not couped up for hours on end, a day with no interaction with human or dog and no stimulation whatsoever!

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

Yep. I went through a phase of doing too much with the dogs and all that happened was that they got VERY fit, and were more restless in the evenings than when they were doing less! It's possible for dogs to become "exercise junkies".

They now get an average of 1 - 1.5 hours offlead per day. Sometimes one long walk, sometimes split into two. Sometimes slightly longer or shorter. They get shorter walks when I take them out together, because they run further, chase each other etc. That amount seems to suit them and keeps them exercised enough to be tired enough to relax in the evenings, but not so fit that they want more and more.

ETA the junior dog also gets a lot of mental stimulation and training, which is brilliant for tiring them out without leaving the house

Depends on the dog if you ask me - people always think my three take lots and lots of exercise - totally untrue - 20 mins in a morning and an hour at night - off lead during the lighter weather and Molly chases her frizbee til she drops LOL LOL Bhu and Nel are just avid sniffers!! They have half hour in garden at lunch time and the back door is open in the evening - but now it's dark and cold they're all snuggled up in the lounge so they cant be that bothered about being outside

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Jo, Nelly, Bhu and Molly
Some people talk alot.................and say nowt