Enough exercise?

Brooklyn · 12-10-2006, 04:59 PM

Hey, I recently adopted a German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix from a local pound. They estimated her age was anywhere from 3 to 5 (years), though to me she looks quite younger. I got her Friday and haven't been able to get her checked yet. Its very possible she has worms, and I have to wait till after Tuesday to get her checked. Several of her teeth are broken and she's malnourished.

What I wanted to know is, am I giving her a good amount of exercise given her (and my) conditions?

Upon waking up, I bring her out to the street's terrace for a quick bathroom run. After I wake and everything, I take her out for 2-3 walks around the block. I take her out unshceduled every now and then to sniff the yard or walk the terrace/block. At about mid-day, I drive her to a nice suburban area and walk her around for about an hour. During the day, I take her out for a few more walks around the block or to the terrace. Then at 4 or so, I bring her to a park for 1-3 hours of walking (up hill, down hill, level) with 6 baseball fields worth of running thrown in there. Right now it has only been 1 hour of walking (including running), since the park has been closing early due to a Holiday "Bright Lights" showcase (no pedestrians). If I can manage to get in early enough, it'll be 3 hours of walking/running.

The problem is, I live in an urban area with a highway"ish" main road to the south and an overly crowded (obstacles/broken glass) to the east. My street and the western street are both major cut through streets making it terrible to walk at certain times (not to mention the PBTs it seems like everyone has).

I also take her out for about 10 minutes three times during the night (up until 11), then she sleeps in my room until morning. The western street and my street has a terrible intersection. The south isn't much better. If I go north, the neighborhood only gets worse. So given all these circumstances, I don't feel too safe walking her in my area. The place I bring her mid-day is about 10 minutes away (in the car). And the park is only a few, but its closed at certain times. It is 72 acres though. She does not like playing, AT ALL. I know rotties are low matience.. but German Shepherds are the complete oppisite. So I don't know when its enough to satisfy her. Could anyone tell me if its enough exercise for her, and if not, could anyone suggest any other way to fill her energy needs?

Also, she's doesn't seem energetic at all, when we're home, she seems content just sleeping, but I want to keep her active.

blackgavotte · 12-10-2006, 05:15 PM

It sounds like you are doing more than enough, especially since you haven't had her long and you say she was malnourished. Keeping her active is one thing, but a dog who is malnourished needs to be built up more than being kept overly active. I would certainly not be adding anything more to her exercise regiem until you have seen the vet and she has had time to become stronger and fitter. This is not going to happen overnight.

I am delighted you found her and are so caring of her. Just don't rush things. When you say she doesn't want to play, and wants to sleep etc, she may still be weak from the poor care she has had. They figure it takes our human bodies up to 18 months or more to replace all the cells in our bodies. If she has been fed crap food, or has parasites or whatever, she will need at least a few months to become built up. Let her body heal and strengthen.

Curbside Prophet · 12-10-2006, 05:17 PM

Welcome to our forum Brooklyn! From what I can gather from your description of her exercise routine, it's sounds as though she's getting a good amount of exercise. If she is otherwise maintaining good weight, I'd say you're doing enough exercise. Most dogs when they are living a well balanced life, do sleep on and off throughout the day, so that sounds natural to me. Every dog has different needs, but in general, if your dog covers anywhere from 2-6 miles a day, you're doing enough in the exercise department. Only when you have a very energetic dog will you need more. I wish more people were as active with their dogs as you are with yours!

Brooklyn · 12-10-2006, 05:33 PM

Thanks Curbside and blackgavotte.

What I said and what I ment didn't match up. What I ment was, she loves walking/running, if I let her, she'd go all day. Its only inside that she'd rather sleep than do anything. I don't force her to play, I just pass the idea by her. I threw a ball, squaked a toy, got those umm.. Kings (?) where you put the food in, and no reaction from any of them. It might just be that she's adjusting, but the night I brought her home, she acted like I had her since she was a puppy. She does like training (as a form of play) for some reason.

@Curbside

Thats good to hear. She does seem to be eating good. She's somewhat of a free-eater, I leave her dry-food out and she eats until comfortable, doesn't eat till everything is gone. 2-6 miles a day? Thats good to hear, I can definatly maintain that everyday.

Cheers.