ToxicBunny
Oi! Leave me out of this...
When I've had dogs (whilst living with my folks) its been easily 4 - 5 times a week.... and on a weekend they usually get 2 walks a day.. lucky buggers.
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Dog owners...
- Thread starter medicnick83
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Kornhub
Blackburn Fan
Usually every morning and extra long walks on a Sunday 
Got 2 Maltese with a big yard. Kids play with them every day.
One refuses to walk, prefers to stay at home. we take the other one for a walk once a week on a lash. They are very happy and don't seem to suffer any bad effects from not being walked every day.
One refuses to walk, prefers to stay at home. we take the other one for a walk once a week on a lash. They are very happy and don't seem to suffer any bad effects from not being walked every day.
porchrat
Honorary Master
Agreed staffies are awesome. I have another one currently. Just can't get enough of the lovable buggers.
I had 2 staffies at the time. The male swam and the female was afraid of the water and instead used to just run around the edge barking super excited but unable to join in (awwwww!) so I don't think all staffies have a tendency to swim. The male used to swim right out beyond backline with me in the ocean. He could go for several kms but I ddi have to rescue him a few times when he ran out of power.
Also my 2 original staffies had puppies when I was a kid and one of the puppies was a swimmer as well so maybe it is genetic. She even used a similar swimming style to her father (they didn't beat the water into a froth like most panicked dogs do when they hit the water. Instead they would sink low into the water so that just the eyes and nose stuck out... like a crocodile. That way I think it used less energy to swim around and they moved a heck of a lot faster.
My current staffie happily swims as well. She doesn't like pools and won't jump into those but for some reason when I take her to the beach she will happily run into the water and swim around even in heavy surf. Frankly I think she likes using the water to cool down a bit (those useless little ears don't help her cool much
). She is confident running around on the rocks too and if the swell catches her unawares she is happy to ride the wave into shore.So it seems like swimming staffies are relatively common in my experience but that some will never take to water no matter how hard you try.
fewl
Well-Known Member
I have German Shorthair Pointers. They get a run in the morning, a walk in the evening, and on the weekends they're out in the field training for trials/hunting season or at our club doing flyball/agility. As a family we love spending time with them and we share the responsibility. Having a big yard means squat. I have a massive property with a massive pool but a dog needs more than physical activity. Tiring them out mentally with new stimuli (sights, smells, sounds) is crucial to healthy psychological development -- at the very least you need to give them something new to dream about.
I don't know how many of you are in Gauteng, but there's an off-leash dog park out at Muldersdrift called Walkhaven. It's a huge property with a dam, trails, and bar/restaurant/braai/toilet facilities. On the weekends there can be anywhere from 10 to 50 dogs running around, socializing, having a blast. It's worth checking out.
And if your dogs don't walk nicely on a leash, consider taking it to a place like Birch Acres Dog Training Club where you can get a 12 week obedience course for just R200. I have friends who train there and they have a top notch facility with tons of courses and hundreds of dogs enrolled. It'll cost you an hour on 12 Saturday's and you'll improve your dogs quality of life immeasurably.
I don't know how many of you are in Gauteng, but there's an off-leash dog park out at Muldersdrift called Walkhaven. It's a huge property with a dam, trails, and bar/restaurant/braai/toilet facilities. On the weekends there can be anywhere from 10 to 50 dogs running around, socializing, having a blast. It's worth checking out.
And if your dogs don't walk nicely on a leash, consider taking it to a place like Birch Acres Dog Training Club where you can get a 12 week obedience course for just R200. I have friends who train there and they have a top notch facility with tons of courses and hundreds of dogs enrolled. It'll cost you an hour on 12 Saturday's and you'll improve your dogs quality of life immeasurably.
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My two German Shepherds get walked for an hour every day, the youngest one also gets 15-30 minutes training a day, physical exercise is not enough for her, gotta work the brain too 
She also gets at least 1 session during the week of off lead running/playing with other dogs - nothing tires her out like playing with her friends 
My other two dogs are old and geriatric, they manage a shuffle around the block once or twice a week, but they're usually pretty content to sleep all day, moving from one sunny spot in the house to the next.
Just to note, we have a big garden, but IMO dogs need to get out their house and take in new sights, smells and sounds
She also gets at least 1 session during the week of off lead running/playing with other dogs - nothing tires her out like playing with her friends My other two dogs are old and geriatric, they manage a shuffle around the block once or twice a week, but they're usually pretty content to sleep all day, moving from one sunny spot in the house to the next.
Just to note, we have a big garden, but IMO dogs need to get out their house and take in new sights, smells and sounds
Kornhub
Blackburn Fan
Walking my one dog early tomorrow.
Rocket-Boy
Honorary Master
Agreed staffies are awesome. I have another one currently. Just can't get enough of the lovable buggers.
I had 2 staffies at the time. The male swam and the female was afraid of the water and instead used to just run around the edge barking super excited but unable to join in (awwwww!) so I don't think all staffies have a tendency to swim. The male used to swim right out beyond backline with me in the ocean. He could go for several kms but I ddi have to rescue him a few times when he ran out of power.
Also my 2 original staffies had puppies when I was a kid and one of the puppies was a swimmer as well so maybe it is genetic. She even used a similar swimming style to her father (they didn't beat the water into a froth like most panicked dogs do when they hit the water. Instead they would sink low into the water so that just the eyes and nose stuck out... like a crocodile. That way I think it used less energy to swim around and they moved a heck of a lot faster.
My current staffie happily swims as well. She doesn't like pools and won't jump into those but for some reason when I take her to the beach she will happily run into the water and swim around even in heavy surf. Frankly I think she likes using the water to cool down a bit (those useless little ears don't help her cool much
So it seems like swimming staffies are relatively common in my experience but that some will never take to water no matter how hard you try.
That is awesome, my little tank doesnt mind getting in at a river where it gets deeper gradually but isnt too keen on the waves. Running around on the rocks is her favourite thing in the world. I love all dogs but staffies have a special spot in my heart, those little things are the most loving and loyal dogs ever.
Rocket-Boy
Honorary Master
Its really awesome to see how some people really take their dogs wellbeing into account. Its a big responsibility having a dog and its *entirely* up to you to make sure they have quality enjoyable lives.
I saw it mentioned above that exercise is a big thing, but its interesting how much of a part mental exercise plays too and how important it is. When my dog was first starting clicker training it was like she had run 10k's because she would be exhausted after a session. I was told that my breed (staffie) would chew everything and destroy my garden but up until now she hasnt chewed anything that wasnt given to her as a toy that she was allowed to chew on. If I miss a day of exercise though then she becomes an absolute nightmare and I can see that she gets very frustrated.
I saw it mentioned above that exercise is a big thing, but its interesting how much of a part mental exercise plays too and how important it is. When my dog was first starting clicker training it was like she had run 10k's because she would be exhausted after a session. I was told that my breed (staffie) would chew everything and destroy my garden but up until now she hasnt chewed anything that wasnt given to her as a toy that she was allowed to chew on. If I miss a day of exercise though then she becomes an absolute nightmare and I can see that she gets very frustrated.
TipsyTart
Well-Known Member
I agree with you 100%. Its a massive undertaking to have a pet and one we take very seriously however, just because we dont walk our dogs, doesnt mean they dont have quality enjoyable lives. In fact, the family we got our female from (she was just over 2yrs old already) had an 18month toddler that they had never *introduced* to the dog. They never allowed her anywhere near the baby, kept her locked outside and I suspect thats the reason they got rid of her. We took her on when my daughter was 2.5 yrs and she is as doting towards my daughter as I am, absolutely adores my child. In 7 years we havent had a moments regret even thou we are unable to take her in public but she absolutely thrives in the family enviroment. Im very thankful we found her and she has had an enjoyable 7 years in the confines and safety of a loving family. The male on the other hand, is a right royal pain in the arse!
I suppose what I was trying to say is that some dogs have needs that are different to others and still enjoy good quality lives.