Comment

Comment by Avyon on May 21, 2010 at 10:25am

I think John said it exactly right!

While we play inside and have a good time - they still get grumpy without their walks. It doesn't have to be the three times a day thing.. but one long one around the block or something will do them some good.

That's the thing people seem to not realize when getting a pup. You gotta buy the cold and wet weather gear to go with them haha!

Comment by Stephanie on May 21, 2010 at 10:08am

Remember that we are more cautious about the weather than they are. Mine love to walk in the snow, rain, anything. Just bundle up or grab your slicker and head on out.

Comment by Jessica on May 21, 2010 at 9:37am

Hi Meaghan! My little Killian gets a 45 minutes walk everyday or 20 in the morning and 20 at night, (more common in winter when the weather out here in Boston is horrible and neither of us wants a whole lot of time in it).

John is very much correct in saying that the dog needs the walk for mental stimulation.. on the off day Killian doesn't get outside he's grumpy, anxious and hyper. Even going around the block once a day for 20 minutes will greatly help out. Treadmills are okay for burning energy - but even Caeser Millan, a huge advocate of treadmills, wants you to get your dog out of the house for a daily "pack walk" to solidify your relationship.

While I've never used a treadmill to walk my dog (I'd never get one in through the tiny door to my apartment.. nevermind a place to put one, but that's another story...) I found a pretty good "how-to" here: http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-animals/how-to-teach-your-dog-to-...

Good luck!

Comment by shelley power on May 21, 2010 at 2:28am

John is absolutely right, but I have found the treadmill to be a great aid in conditioning and reducing excess energy:)) Doesnt replace the great outdoors, but sometimes makes the learning to go for lovely walks easier in the end:)

Comment by John Wolff on May 20, 2010 at 11:59pm

5% of a walk is the exercise. 95% is getting outside, seeing the sky, in the weather, getting wet, getting dirty, change of scene, new smells, meeting passersby, perusing the neighborhood, and sniffing EVERYTHING. If you were a dog, which would you prefer?

Comment by shelley power on May 20, 2010 at 7:46pm

takes some time to get used to tread mill, encourage with treat, but be careful