[jfinner1]

Otto is an adult (2yrs?) MinPin/Dachshund mix. Right now, we are walking about a mile a day, half in the morning, and half after dinner. The morning walk usually takes about 20 minutes, the evening walk about 30-40 minutes because we stop to play in the park a bit. Is this enough? He seems worn out when we get home, but that only lasts for about half an hour, and then he's all hyperactive again. Should I try to make his walks longer, farther, more frequent? It's strange, everyone says you should walk your dog, but I can't really find any information on "how" you should walk your dog.

Also, Otto *hates* walking in the rain. Hates Hates Hates it. I can barely get him to go outside, let alone go on a walk. Should I force him to go if he doesn't want to, or just forgo the walk for the day, or substitute something inside? (I don't own a treadmill, lol)

 

[titiaamor]

I walk my dogs about 30 minutes once a day. I play with them in the yard and do mental exercises to help 'tire them out' so to speak.

But I've heard you can't really 'tire a dog out' through exercise. They rise to the occasion and their bodies adjust so that they start to NEED that level of activity.

For me, I've learned a combo of training, play, and walks keeps them even-kiel.

 

[Hambonez]

I hate inclement weather days!! We have a doxie (/terrier??) mix and he is all prissy about getting his delicate toes wet in the grass. Heaven forbid it snow!! He is forced out to do his business (sometimes plopped in the grass and given his potty command), but we do inside things when it's gross out. We have an open layout house so there's a lot of room for him to run. We gate off the family room and kitchen and throw a ball for him to fetch, or have one person at either side and play 'keep away,' or we'll run commands over and over and over. Generally, he seems to be more mellow on days when the weather is gross, which helps.

 

[hanksimon]

I agree with titiaamor, that the average dog is an athlete waiting for you to condition them. Most dogs that I see, don't get tired, they get overheated, before they get tired. If you've seen a conditioned dog run in the snow, they can play and run for more than an hour... But bring them down to Texas, and they're ready for air conditioning after 15 - 30 min.

Having said that, I used to walk my dog, off-leash, once or twice a day for 30 min. [He's 11 yo, and still likes three 30 min. walks, but that's difficult to do on a normal schedule], then I used to train him for 10 - 15 min, twice a day. And, finally he gets a hard rubber bone to try and destroy for 30 - 45 min. ... Now, after his walk and supper, (yes, I feed him after the walk ... personal preference, only), he sleeps... for about 18 hours a day... maybe 20...

 

[titiaamor]

Oh, also forgot to say that my husband took the dogs out and got 'caught' in the rain. We did some luring in gentle ran, and started playing out there with them, getting ourselves all wet in the process. We also used an umbrella for a while, but Bob didn't like getting his feet wet. So that's when hubby took Bob out when we knew they'd get rained on. The problem is over now!

 

[rotten]

If i tried to take my last rottie out for a walk in the rain, he'd just plonk his butt down and look at me as if to say "im not being taken out in THAT!" and refuse to budge. 8 stone of 'sod off' is not going to be moved.

I respected his decisions on many an occasion. He had sound judgement in other areas of life too.
Go for substitute something inside. I love min pinchers. Too cute!