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Enough Exercise?



 
 
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  #1  
Old November 15th 04, 09:24 PM
Pam
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Default Enough Exercise?

Hi. I'm new to this group but after reading many of the posts, I'm sure
there'll be a few opinions regarding my question. I have a 1 year old
healthy German shepherd dog. Every morning we leave the house around 8:30
a.m. to walk to the park (approximately 1/2 hour walk). Once we get there we
tour the park ending at an open field where we usually meet another dog that
Lexi (my dog) plays with. They run, romp and chase each other for about 3/4
of an hour (depending on the weather, bad-less, good-longer). We then walk
back home (usually getting back around 11 o'clock, give or take 15 minutes).
During the day, Lexi naps off and on until it's time for my husband to come
home. We go for another walk in the evening for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (in a
trail like setting), but this is mainly just walking, sniffing at things and
chasing the occasional squirrel or rabbit. Once in awhile we'll meet another
dog that is willing to run and play for a bit, but nothing that compares to
her morning romp. Now, for my question. Do you think she's getting enough
exercise? Sometimes I feel like she'd like to be out more, but there are
things that have to be done around the house....laundry, vacuuming,
cleaning, etc. I often feel guilty about not getting her out more,
especially when she looks at me with 'those eyes'. I'd like to be able to
let her out in the yard, but we live in an apartment building and unless I
sit out with her she doesn't go out. I don't tie her out by herself and the
yard isn't fenced in, so she has to be on a leash. She doesn't play much in
the house. I've tried playing ball, tug, hide and seek, etc., but she looses
interest quickly. It seems like she thinks the house is for sleeping and
outside is where she comes alive. Do any of you have dogs similar to Lexi?
How do I get over the guilt of not letting her be outside all day long where
I know she wants to be? Thanks in advance for your responses.




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  #2  
Old November 15th 04, 09:54 PM
Leah
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"Pam" wrote:
Do you think she's getting enough
exercise?


A bored dog will display behavior problems. If she seems happy and
well-adjusted, she's probably okay with what physical exercise she gets.

Substitute with mental exercise. Get her toys that she has to work at (like
the IntelliBone -
http://www.sitstay.com/store/toys/intelli1.shtml#TYA21 ).

Obedience work is another good way to exercise her mind and keep her
stimulated. Teach her how to sit still and catch a thrown treat in her mouth.
Name toys and ask her to find them.

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  #3  
Old November 16th 04, 12:55 AM
Christy
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"Pam" wrote in message
...
It seems like she thinks the house is for sleeping and
outside is where she comes alive. Do any of you have dogs similar to Lexi?


Yes, and you should thank your lucky stars that you do, too. It sounds like
she is getting an ideal amount of exercise. Contrary to popular belief, dogs
generally don't enjoy the outdoors on their own - they prefer being with
their pack, wherever that may be. My boys love going outdoors, but they
pretty much require that I accompany them, as they are either bored outside
or get into nuisance behaviors (because they are bored!) They let me know
when they have not gotten enough exercise but are otherwise lovely little
house potatoes. Once outside, they have energy for days.

Christy


  #4  
Old November 16th 04, 01:13 AM
Cate
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"Pam" wrote in
:

It seems like she thinks the house is for sleeping and
outside is where she comes alive. Do any of you have dogs similar to
Lexi?


Yes. Orson, a lab, also comes alive when he's outside, whether just walking
and sniffing, or running, hiking, or swimming. He was built for the
outdoors, but he was also bred to want to be with people, which he is--
almost all the time.

How do I get over the guilt of not letting her be outside all
day long where I know she wants to be?


I work at home and so am home most all the time--so it's really noticeable
to me that my dog's snoring on the sofa and sometimes apparently wishes he
weren't. (When he's bored he has this sigh that *kills* me.) I too feel
guilty that Orson 'only' gets 2 hours of exercise a day. But you know what?
That's pretty darn good in the grand scheme of things, considering we don't
live on a farm, and considering he wasn't acquired as a working dog, and
considering we, his owners, have lives to live and money to make to feed
him.

Sounds like Lexi has a pretty great life with you. Don't worry so much.

Cate

  #5  
Old November 16th 04, 01:38 AM
pinklemons
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one of my puppies seem like yours! but she REALLY loves toys and nylabones.
she always wants to go outside too. but i keep her in and make her take
naps( by just setting them down in their bed and give them the good ol
belly rub) until im un-busy and chore-free!! goodluck~!

ps my doggiess loveee bones!! it keeps them busy! try the nylabone with
the rubber, edible and dental~ my pup just LOVES the edibles~!!

  #6  
Old November 16th 04, 02:28 AM
Charlie Wilkes
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Default

On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 15:24:31 -0500, "Pam" wrote:

Hi. I'm new to this group but after reading many of the posts, I'm sure
there'll be a few opinions regarding my question. I have a 1 year old
healthy German shepherd dog. Every morning we leave the house around 8:30
a.m. to walk to the park (approximately 1/2 hour walk). Once we get there we
tour the park ending at an open field where we usually meet another dog that
Lexi (my dog) plays with. They run, romp and chase each other for about 3/4
of an hour (depending on the weather, bad-less, good-longer). We then walk
back home (usually getting back around 11 o'clock, give or take 15 minutes).
During the day, Lexi naps off and on until it's time for my husband to come
home. We go for another walk in the evening for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (in a
trail like setting), but this is mainly just walking, sniffing at things and
chasing the occasional squirrel or rabbit. Once in awhile we'll meet another
dog that is willing to run and play for a bit, but nothing that compares to
her morning romp. Now, for my question. Do you think she's getting enough
exercise? Sometimes I feel like she'd like to be out more, but there are
things that have to be done around the house....laundry, vacuuming,
cleaning, etc. I often feel guilty about not getting her out more,
especially when she looks at me with 'those eyes'. I'd like to be able to
let her out in the yard, but we live in an apartment building and unless I
sit out with her she doesn't go out. I don't tie her out by herself and the
yard isn't fenced in, so she has to be on a leash. She doesn't play much in
the house. I've tried playing ball, tug, hide and seek, etc., but she looses
interest quickly. It seems like she thinks the house is for sleeping and
outside is where she comes alive. Do any of you have dogs similar to Lexi?
How do I get over the guilt of not letting her be outside all day long where
I know she wants to be? Thanks in advance for your responses.

You're doing a good job if she gets out for over an hour in the
morning and in the evening. But a few shorter breaks would be nice.
My dog gets to go outside more or less when she wants, but she still
bugs me, because it's not the same unless I go too. So I indulge her.
All I have to do is walk about 100 yards to a point further back on my
property, and she bounds around and sniffs the bushes, and a minute
later, I go back and she comes too. Then I often give her a biscuit.
It takes less than 5 min. and she is well satisfied for a number of
hours afterwards.

Charlie
  #7  
Old November 16th 04, 02:48 AM
Shelly & The Boys
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Default


"Pam" wrote in message
...
exercise? Sometimes I feel like she'd like to be out more, but there are
things that have to be done around the house....laundry, vacuuming,
cleaning, etc. I often feel guilty about not getting her out more,
especially when she looks at me with 'those eyes'. I'd like to be able to
let her out in the yard, but we live in an apartment building and unless I
sit out with her she doesn't go out. I don't tie her out by herself and

the
yard isn't fenced in, so she has to be on a leash.


Chances are, that if you put her out alone she'll just want to come back
inside anyway. :-) I've got two dogs, a Collie-mix and a Belgian Sheepdog
(both very active dogs) that once or twice a day go outside
together (we have a fenced yard, accessed when we are home by a dog-door)
and romp around, roughhouse & play. But, usually that is only if I am
preoccupied with household chores. Most likely, she wants you to go out
with her & play.

She doesn't play much in
the house. I've tried playing ball, tug, hide and seek, etc., but she

looses
interest quickly. It seems like she thinks the house is for sleeping and
outside is where she comes alive. Do any of you have dogs similar to Lexi?



Yes, and be thankful she's not a zooming, wild bundle of energy indoors! :-)
But, they will play indoors if I keep at it. One will play with a toy all
by himself, while the other only does this occasionally. He is usually
lying in the same room with me, waiting for action.

How do I get over the guilt of not letting her be outside all day long
where I know she wants to be? Thanks in advance for your responses.


Well, I'm guessing that she wants to be with you, and would prefer that
it be outdoors. But, do fun things with her indoors too. Sometimes
playing isn't the only fun game in town, my dogs enjoy short obedience
sessions throughout the day as well. Practice teaching tricks, polishing
sit & down stays, recalls, and so on. You mentioned hide & seek, this
is a big hit at my house. "Take a Bow-Wow" is a fun video that teaches
several tricks (I think they use a clicker, but you can adapt it to verbal
praise as well), and can be something to get your imagination started.

Another thing to remember is that dogs tend to sleep a LOT more than people.
I can usually tell that while I'm away at work, my dogs have barely moved,
their beds are warm! :-) And then on Saturdays (if we're home), they spend
the bulk of the afternoon sleeping while I do chores.
If she isn't displaying common problem behavior that usually comes on
with boredom (digging, chewing unwanted things, incessant barking), then
she's probably getting enough energy and is pretty happy.
Shelly & The Boys


  #8  
Old November 16th 04, 03:38 AM
D. Dub
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Default


"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 15:24:31 -0500, "Pam" wrote:

Hi. I'm new to this group but after reading many of the posts, I'm sure
there'll be a few opinions regarding my question. I have a 1 year old
healthy German shepherd dog. Every morning we leave the house around 8:30
a.m. to walk to the park (approximately 1/2 hour walk). Once we get there
we
tour the park ending at an open field where we usually meet another dog
that
Lexi (my dog) plays with. They run, romp and chase each other for about
3/4
of an hour (depending on the weather, bad-less, good-longer). We then walk
back home (usually getting back around 11 o'clock, give or take 15
minutes).
During the day, Lexi naps off and on until it's time for my husband to
come
home. We go for another walk in the evening for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (in
a
trail like setting), but this is mainly just walking, sniffing at things
and
chasing the occasional squirrel or rabbit. Once in awhile we'll meet
another
dog that is willing to run and play for a bit, but nothing that compares
to
her morning romp. Now, for my question. Do you think she's getting enough
exercise? Sometimes I feel like she'd like to be out more, but there are
things that have to be done around the house....laundry, vacuuming,
cleaning, etc. I often feel guilty about not getting her out more,
especially when she looks at me with 'those eyes'. I'd like to be able to
let her out in the yard, but we live in an apartment building and unless I
sit out with her she doesn't go out. I don't tie her out by herself and
the
yard isn't fenced in, so she has to be on a leash. She doesn't play much
in
the house. I've tried playing ball, tug, hide and seek, etc., but she
looses
interest quickly. It seems like she thinks the house is for sleeping and
outside is where she comes alive. Do any of you have dogs similar to Lexi?
How do I get over the guilt of not letting her be outside all day long
where
I know she wants to be? Thanks in advance for your responses.

You're doing a good job if she gets out for over an hour in the
morning and in the evening. But a few shorter breaks would be nice.
My dog gets to go outside more or less when she wants, but she still
bugs me, because it's not the same unless I go too. So I indulge her.
All I have to do is walk about 100 yards to a point further back on my
property, and she bounds around and sniffs the bushes, and a minute
later, I go back and she comes too. Then I often give her a biscuit.
It takes less than 5 min. and she is well satisfied for a number of
hours afterwards.

Charlie



Damn............ I wanna be a dog in your house!!!


  #9  
Old November 16th 04, 03:47 AM
Pam
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Posts: n/a
Default

Thanks everyone for your replies. Lexi isn't exhibiting any problem
behaviours due to boredom as mentioned so I guess she's okay. I do have a
couple of 5 to 10 minute training sessions every day but as for chewing on
nylabones and such to keep herself occupied, she doesn't show any interest
in that either.... during the day. I leave a few chewy things out in the
evening before I go to bed and she does get up throughout the night and
enjoys them then. Why not during the day, I don't know. Maybe she's keeping
herself available for outings....wouldn't want me to think that she's busy
and otherwise occupied. lol. Thanks again for your replies. I feel better
about her activity level and I won't let her sighs and moans bother me so
much.


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  #10  
Old November 16th 04, 06:03 AM
Charlie Wilkes
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Default

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 02:38:52 GMT, "D. Dub"
wrote:


"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 15 Nov 2004 15:24:31 -0500, "Pam" wrote:

Hi. I'm new to this group but after reading many of the posts, I'm sure
there'll be a few opinions regarding my question. I have a 1 year old
healthy German shepherd dog. Every morning we leave the house around 8:30
a.m. to walk to the park (approximately 1/2 hour walk). Once we get there
we
tour the park ending at an open field where we usually meet another dog
that
Lexi (my dog) plays with. They run, romp and chase each other for about
3/4
of an hour (depending on the weather, bad-less, good-longer). We then walk
back home (usually getting back around 11 o'clock, give or take 15
minutes).
During the day, Lexi naps off and on until it's time for my husband to
come
home. We go for another walk in the evening for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours (in
a
trail like setting), but this is mainly just walking, sniffing at things
and
chasing the occasional squirrel or rabbit. Once in awhile we'll meet
another
dog that is willing to run and play for a bit, but nothing that compares
to
her morning romp. Now, for my question. Do you think she's getting enough
exercise? Sometimes I feel like she'd like to be out more, but there are
things that have to be done around the house....laundry, vacuuming,
cleaning, etc. I often feel guilty about not getting her out more,
especially when she looks at me with 'those eyes'. I'd like to be able to
let her out in the yard, but we live in an apartment building and unless I
sit out with her she doesn't go out. I don't tie her out by herself and
the
yard isn't fenced in, so she has to be on a leash. She doesn't play much
in
the house. I've tried playing ball, tug, hide and seek, etc., but she
looses
interest quickly. It seems like she thinks the house is for sleeping and
outside is where she comes alive. Do any of you have dogs similar to Lexi?
How do I get over the guilt of not letting her be outside all day long
where
I know she wants to be? Thanks in advance for your responses.

You're doing a good job if she gets out for over an hour in the
morning and in the evening. But a few shorter breaks would be nice.
My dog gets to go outside more or less when she wants, but she still
bugs me, because it's not the same unless I go too. So I indulge her.
All I have to do is walk about 100 yards to a point further back on my
property, and she bounds around and sniffs the bushes, and a minute
later, I go back and she comes too. Then I often give her a biscuit.
It takes less than 5 min. and she is well satisfied for a number of
hours afterwards.

Charlie



Damn............ I wanna be a dog in your house!!!

I have one dog who is really mine and another (who is almost 14) who
belongs to a friend who got flooded out of her house and now has to
live in a no-dog apt. I work at home, so the dogs get all the
attention they want and they are usually with me 24 hours a day. Of
course they thrive on this... they are content and never cause the
slightest problem.

Charlie
 




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