How often and how long do you walk your dog?

28626 Views 27 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Puppy_love_122, Mar 12, 2009

4lilmunchkins

Discussion Starter · Mar 11, 2009

I walk my dogs six days a week for 2-3 miles a day. I have four yorkies ranging in size from 2-5 pounds. Of course, my smaller ones have to be carried off and on on the longer walks or they'd never make it....

I was curious as to how often and how long other people walk their dogs and what kind of dogs they have? I'm wondering if I'm walking my dogs "too long", or if there even is such a thing as "too long".

My two "bigger" ones, always have plenty of energy and are upbeat during the walk and really enjoy it. My two smaller ones enjoy it but I can tell after a while when they are getting worn out and that's when they get picked up....

I just started thinking about it, as the only other people I know around here that have small dogs walk them 2-3 times a week for about a mile and the people I know who have big dogs only walk them for a mile , 4-5 times a week and I was wondering if that is the norm?

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

rosemaryninja

· #2 · Mar 11, 2009

Two pounds??? Are they adults? That's insanely small! I don't think I've ever seen a full-grown dog that size! Aren't standard Chis around six pounds or something?

I have two Beagles, aged 9 and 10. One family member (goes on rotation) walks them for 3 miles in the morning, and then I walk them for another 3-4 miles in the evening. They are usually still up for another short walk at night, if I decide to bring them out, but they're also happy to lie down at home.

I don't think they NEED this much exercise. If they just got the 3 miles in the morning I don't think they'd be jumping off the walls. 3 miles a day would be fine for them, I think.

Leroy&Lucy'sMom

· #3 · Mar 11, 2009

I must say you excercise your dogs a lot more than most people, kudos to you! You're healthier & happier and so are your dogs (lucky babies you have).
I have two Weimaraners and for many years now I let them run off leash in 8 acres of open field once a day for anywhere from 25-45 mins. We live in Minnesota so when the weather gets bad (below 25 degrees) we sadly don't go out.They love running and stay close by me and are good on recall. We throw frisbee and kongs and they have a blast exploring. We rarely take actual "walks" since they prefer to run. But yes, we do this everyday weather permitting.

The sad thing is I am the only one on my block that excercise my dogs! Everybody else NEVER walks theirs... pretty sad IMO.

If I had to guess the average walk time for most people would be half an hour a day, most days of the week...??

Tankstar

· #4 · Mar 11, 2009

May-January we hit the dog park almost daily (atleast 6 days a week) which is for about 2 hours, or somtimes even up to 5 or 6 depending on the weather and my scheduele 9which is pretty easy going), of hiking, swimming, playing with his buddies.

then we do normally 2 other walks during the day for about 45 mins. just becuase I like to walk and like the outdoors. he doesnt need the extra walks, but why not he enjoys them.

January-May. (becuase i work 2 jobs at this time of the year. and it gets dark so quickly) we go to the dog park mys cheduel permiting about 3 days a week. and then just do normal walks daily if no dog park, I take himt o the school field to run and play ball.

Rain, snow, -30, +30 we are out and excersising. Weather doesnt bother him. And he needs his walks.
I try and get him out of the house as much as possible. even if it means my mom is driving to the gas station she grabs himand he goes int he car lol.

ETA: Blaze is a almost 6 year old Male rough collie (maybe some sheltie in there too)

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Stitch

· #5 · Mar 11, 2009

We have a park not far from our house and it has a bike path that circles the edge of the park, which is 3/4 of a mile long. So I'll walk Chewie off the leash for about 2 laps (1 1/2 miles).

However, sometimes I walk Chewie on the leash around our neighborhood which is around a 2 to 3 mile walk.

Sadly, if it's really cold we don't step foot outside moreover take a walk LOL.

BobSD

· #6 · Mar 11, 2009

I am still anxious to hear your responce to the two pound dog. I cannot picture you picking up dogs and continue walking the others, unless they fit in your pocket. I would probably bring a baby stroller for the ones that get tired out, (they do make something just for dogs) but it is admirable the time you give your dogs! They must sleep good at night.

I have two small dogs and they get there walk, off road or side walk. They do not really walk, more like sniffing this and that and though we really do not cover much distance, they are still quite tuckered out. So I feel distance is not as important as the fresh air and the sniffing part

JMO

Sonn84

· #7 · Mar 11, 2009

I walk all of my dogs 7 days a week 3 times a day at the least anywhere between 1-2 hours each time. Then Friday Saturday and Sunday we go on a hike unless the weather is dangerous(lightning, hail thing like that).

Binkalette

· #8 · Mar 11, 2009

Right now Zoey gets to walk for half an hour, twice a day.. Unless it really is -WAY- too cold to go. Today, it is way too cold.. we go out to pee, and within a minute of her feet hitting the ground she is crying and lifting up her feet because the ground is so cold.. But when it's above 20 out we can walk. When it gets warmer still out, we'll be able to go for longer walks around one of the lakes here in town.. I think she'll really like that, right now though we just walk along the river.

Laurelin

· #9 · Mar 11, 2009

At school Summer and I walk 7 days a week for 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. We sometimes stop and sit for a while. she sniffs a lot, chases squirrels, barks at cats and gets petted.

At home i have 5 dogs that all fall to me to exercise. So I cheat and walk Summer about once a week and the rest of the exercise is about 45 minutes of offleash play twice a day for everyone.

ladyshadowhollyjc

· #10 · Mar 11, 2009

We try to walk everyday in the spring/summer/fall and winter days that are extremely mild... (even thought it doesn't get as cold as it does up north, I'm so not a cold weather person). About 99% of the time those walks happen. When we walk its for 2 miles, maybe a little more. But that's not all the exercise they get... they have all day to run and play together, which tires them out more than walks do.
They also go to the dog park at least twice a week.
In the winter time when it's too cold for me, I'll just watch them outside and throw the balls for them.

sheltiemom

· #11 · Mar 11, 2009

I don't walk mine every day....we rotate between walking, off leash stuff, and just running around in the yard. When we walk, it's 2-3 miles in the neighborhood, or sometimes we walk the trails at the park. They go off leash at the park and at the lake behind my neighborhood regularly and they go with me on outings when they can.

Rowdy

· #12 · Mar 11, 2009

Every day my dogs (collies) get 1 - 1 1/2 hrs hiking, snowshoeing or skiing in the morning and a variable walk, anywhere from 1/2 hour to 2 hours in the afternoon. The afternoon walk varies with my work schedule. Then they get the "quick pee" evening walk.

2 days ago we did 1 1/2 hours in the morning and then almost 2 hours of snowshoeing in heavy snow in the afternoon. They just laid around like dead things until they dragged themselves out for the evening pee. As they say, a tired dog is a good dog.

Keechak

· #13 · Mar 11, 2009

for me it depends on the dog.

Jack can only go for about half a mile before he starts getting tired.

Kechara will go for about a two mile run/trot. but I'm planning on working with her this spring to get her stamina up to 4 mile trot.

Hawkeye, is too young still to go real far although he wishes he could keep going I try to keep our runs to 1 mile, until he gets older then we will go for long trips.

sw_df27

· #14 · Mar 11, 2009

to be honest I don't hardly ever walk any of the dogs we have 5 acres of woods and field they can run ,jump,play,chase,dig what ever they want to do til they are wore out! I do take them mt. climbing in the warm weather though!

4lilmunchkins

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 11, 2009

rosemaryninja said:
Two pounds??? Are they adults? That's insanely small! I don't think I've ever seen a full-grown dog that size! Aren't standard Chis around six pounds or something?

I have two Beagles, aged 9 and 10. One family member (goes on rotation) walks them for 3 miles in the morning, and then I walk them for another 3-4 miles in the evening. They are usually still up for another short walk at night, if I decide to bring them out, but they're also happy to lie down at home.

I don't think they NEED this much exercise. If they just got the 3 miles in the morning I don't think they'd be jumping off the walls. 3 miles a day would be fine for them, I think.

Thanks for the response! That is great that you are able to walk your dogs as much as you do! I'm sure they really benefit from it

I only have one that is two pounds, I think her exact weight is like two pounds and 6 or 7 ounces, somewhere around that. She will be two on April 1st. My other little girl is about 3 pounds and she just turned a year this past December, I think she is done growing but sometimes they can keep growing for a little after they turn one so she may get bigger. The Yorkshire standard is seven pounds and under, I've only seen one other Yorkie in person that is the size of my smallest girl but I know there are quite a few full grown adult 2 pound Yorkies out there. I definitely wouldn't say it's the "standard" for a Yorkie but some just turn out smaller than others are...

It's hard to show her size in pictures but here's one of her standing by a couch so you can have an idea of how big she is...

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4lilmunchkins

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 11, 2009 (Edited)

BobSD said:
I am still anxious to hear your responce to the two pound dog. I cannot picture you picking up dogs and continue walking the others, unless they fit in your pocket. I would probably bring a baby stroller for the ones that get tired out, (they do make something just for dogs) but it is admirable the time you give your dogs! They must sleep good at night.

I have two small dogs and they get there walk, off road or side walk. They do not really walk, more like sniffing this and that and though we really do not cover much distance, they are still quite tuckered out. So I feel distance is not as important as the fresh air and the sniffing part JMO

Well, I rarely ever walk my dogs by myself and if I have to walk by myself I only do two at a time. If I am taking all four out I have someone with me and they walk two and I walk two ( one big one and one small one) so if one little one gets tired we just pick one of them up and still walk the other one. They are light and not hard to carry in one hand. I do have a Jeep Dog Jogging Stroller that I use sometimes and an Outward Hound pet carrier backpack that they like to ride in. They can pop their little heads out and still look around and even when they aren't walking they enjoy being outside.

I do agree with you, I don't think distance is a huge deal, I mainly go as long as I do so I can get my evening work out in as well...sort of gets two tasks done at once

Leroy&Lucy'sMom said:
I must say you excercise your dogs a lot more than most people, kudos to you! You're healthier & happier and so are your dogs (lucky babies you have).
I have two Weimaraners and for many years now I let them run off leash in 8 acres of open field once a day for anywhere from 25-45 mins. We live in Minnesota so when the weather gets bad (below 25 degrees) we sadly don't go out.They love running and stay close by me and are good on recall. We throw frisbee and kongs and they have a blast exploring. We rarely take actual "walks" since they prefer to run. But yes, we do this everyday weather permitting.

The sad thing is I am the only one on my block that excercise my dogs! Everybody else NEVER walks theirs... pretty sad IMO.

If I had to guess the average walk time for most people would be half an hour a day, most days of the week...??

That is so neat that you can let your dogs run off leash! I wish there was a place like that around here, the only place I have like that is my fenced backyard and it's no where near 8 acres.

It gets pretty cold here in the winter time as well and we don't walk as much then either as mine get cold pretty quick (even with clothes on)
It also gets super hot here in the summer and we normally have to either walk in the evenings when it's cooler or sometimes I'll let them swim in the pool for their exercise instead of going for a walk.

Tankstar said:
May-January we hit the dog park almost daily (atleast 6 days a week) which is for about 2 hours, or somtimes even up to 5 or 6 depending on the weather and my scheduele 9which is pretty easy going), of hiking, swimming, playing with his buddies.

then we do normally 2 other walks during the day for about 45 mins. just becuase I like to walk and like the outdoors. he doesnt need the extra walks, but why not he enjoys them.

January-May. (becuase i work 2 jobs at this time of the year. and it gets dark so quickly) we go to the dog park mys cheduel permiting about 3 days a week. and then just do normal walks daily if no dog park, I take himt o the school field to run and play ball.

Rain, snow, -30, +30 we are out and excersising. Weather doesnt bother him. And he needs his walks.
I try and get him out of the house as much as possible. even if it means my mom is driving to the gas station she grabs himand he goes int he car lol.

ETA: Blaze is a almost 6 year old Male rough collie (maybe some sheltie in there too)

That is awesome how much exercise your dog gets! It's great that he doesn't care about the weather either...unfortunately, I cannot say the same for mine...if it's even the slightest bit drizzling they won't step foot outside, I'll open the back door and they look at me like "are you crazy?!

" and when it's cold outside they don't really care to go out much either, they'd rather sleep in their beds all day....lazy things!

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valsh

· #17 · Mar 11, 2009

Well I am trying to get out more myself. Right now the little guy is getting me in shape. So, for the 2 weeks we have had him it's been about a 30-45 minute brisk walk in the morning and about another 30+ minutes in the evening. Occasionally once or twice a week he only gets one good walk.

4lilmunchkins

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 11, 2009 (Edited)

Stitch said:
We have a park not far from our house and it has a bike path that circles the edge of the park, which is 3/4 of a mile long. So I'll walk Chewie off the leash for about 2 laps (1 1/2 miles).

However, sometimes I walk Chewie on the leash around our neighborhood which is around a 2 to 3 mile walk.

Sadly, if it's really cold we don't step foot outside moreover take a walk LOL.

That's great that you have a park so close to your house. I wish I could walk mine off leash but there aren't any places around here I can really do that. The ones that do allow it normally don't have a separate area for small/medium size dogs and I'm always too afraid that a bigger dog will just want to play with one of mine but accidentally hurt one of them because of the size difference....

Sonn84 said:
I walk all of my dogs 7 days a week 3 times a day at the least anywhere between 1-2 hours each time. Then Friday Saturday and Sunday we go on a hike unless the weather is dangerous(lightning, hail thing like that).

Wow, that's incredible! I wish I had the time and dogs that enjoyed walking that much for that long...I think if I tried to walk mine that long all week and then take them hiking they'd all gang up on me!

Binkalette said:
Right now Zoey gets to walk for half an hour, twice a day.. Unless it really is -WAY- too cold to go. Today, it is way too cold.. we go out to pee, and within a minute of her feet hitting the ground she is crying and lifting up her feet because the ground is so cold.. But when it's above 20 out we can walk. When it gets warmer still out, we'll be able to go for longer walks around one of the lakes here in town.. I think she'll really like that, right now though we just walk along the river.

Your Zoey sounds like my dogs, they are the same way when it's cold outside and their feet hit the ground, they will put their paws up on my leg like "pick me up! pick me up!" They do the same thing when the ground is wet from rain as well

4lilmunchkins

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 11, 2009

Laurelin said:
At school Summer and I walk 7 days a week for 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours. We sometimes stop and sit for a while. she sniffs a lot, chases squirrels, barks at cats and gets petted.

At home i have 5 dogs that all fall to me to exercise. So I cheat and walk Summer about once a week and the rest of the exercise is about 45 minutes of offleash play twice a day for everyone.

Sounds like you and Summer have a lot of fun

I've got a few squirrel chasers here myself

Wow....5 dogs to exercise by yourself

I can't imagine trying to do that...I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have someone else to help me walk them...

By the way, I always love your pictures and your signature picture so much! Just beautiful dogs!!

4lilmunchkins

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 11, 2009 (Edited)

ladyshadowhollyjc said:
We try to walk everyday in the spring/summer/fall and winter days that are extremely mild... (even thought it doesn't get as cold as it does up north, I'm so not a cold weather person). About 99% of the time those walks happen. When we walk its for 2 miles, maybe a little more. But that's not all the exercise they get... they have all day to run and play together, which tires them out more than walks do.
They also go to the dog park at least twice a week.
In the winter time when it's too cold for me, I'll just watch them outside and throw the balls for them.

I hear ya....I dread it when winter rolls around....I've never been a fan of cold weather and my dogs aren't either...maybe I should move to Hawaii

Sounds like your dogs get a lot of exercise and have a lot of fun doing it! That's great!

sheltiemom said:
I don't walk mine every day....we rotate between walking, off leash stuff, and just running around in the yard. When we walk, it's 2-3 miles in the neighborhood, or sometimes we walk the trails at the park. They go off leash at the park and at the lake behind my neighborhood regularly and they go with me on outings when they can.

I'm so envious of all your people who can walk your dogs off leash...I so wish I could do that! The only place I have for that is my fenced back yard which is only 1.5 acres

I wish there was a big place around here where I could just let them off leash to run like crazy.....maybe someday

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