Neophyte Dog Walker

[NJCher]

I'm a baby boomer and I just walked my first dog today. Being a cat person, I never walked a dog. I wanted to start this thread to discuss dog walking.

First, I have always been envious of dog walkers. I watch all these people walking their dogs and the dogs look so happy, trotting down the street, like "This is MY time." When I drive to work, I drive down this one very long street of beautiful homes and stunning landscaping. There is always someone out there walking their dog and it's such fun to see all the different breeds of dogs while admiring the spring flowering trees and bushes. I always try to pick up something of the relationship the person has with their dog. Indulgent? In-a-hurry? Patient?

Yesterday my neighbor came over and told me she and her husband were going to New Orleans for the week and would I care for their dogs for six days. All she meant was feeding and making sure they had water, but I can't imagine letting a dog go without exercise each day, so I said I'd walk them, too.

We went on our first walk at 7 this morning. I took one of the two golden labs for about an 8-block walk on level ground. It was fun. I forgot to take the plastic bag, though, and had to ask a neighbor if I could have his newspaper bag. Turns out I didn't need it anyway.

Four hours later, I took the other dog for a walk. This time I went up a mountain. Huff puff. I can see why walking is good exercise. Even the dog had to stop for a rest! This walk wasn't as much fun, as we walked in a new neighborhood of McMansions.

I will post other impressions about dog walking here as the week goes on, but for now, I would like to hear the observances of others about dog walking. :)


Cher

[elleng]

1. Been years since I've had or walked a dog, but happy to read your experiences!

[roody]

2. I walk dogs at the animal shelter

for my own enjoyment. We train them also. I ended up adopting one, so now I have to walk my own when I get home. It keeps me happy and healthy.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. LOL, this sounds just like me---I also think dog walkers

look like they are having such a nice time with their dogs. I occasionally walk by myself and think of how I would be more motivated if I had a dog with me. Then it pours down rain for a week, and these dog walkers are out there with the dogs. Ugh, maybe it is not the bliss I think it is!

I did get a chance to walk a dog for a few days, and it was not the wonderful experience I had hoped. This dog was not what you would call obedience trained. I was pulled along at whatever pace the dog wanted, no matter how much I tried to rein it in. I must have been a sight having the dog walk me! That was when I decided that maybe I was not capable of doing that dog training thing. I will stay with my cats, even though I still envy those dog walkers on nice days.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. The notion of walking a dog also plays into the dog's psyche

It is a ritual for them. A migration walk. It seems silly, but that vestige of their wild ancestors' behavior is still there.

If your neighbor has multiple dogs, you might wish to walk them all at the same time. That is a healthy bonding experience for them all - the pack migration.

Here's a somewhat long and scholarly treatise on the subject: http://georgemanning.net/howtowalkadog/

Bottom line: Dogs LOVE to walk and NEED to walk. Walking as a pack is better than walking alone.

Enjoy the time with the dogs. :hi: