Walking Dog?

Question

Due to severe asthma, I am unable to walk my dog. It is a toy mutt (10 lbs.). I've heard the smaller dogs don't need much exercise and are fine in the house. However, I'm worried about her getting enough. Is it unfair to keep her if I can't walk her? My yard is not fenced, but I can put her on a tie out.

I do have a regular treadmill. Can't seem to get her to want to use it.

Answer 1

She'll be fine with exercise inside. Throw a ball down the hall for her to paly.

Answer 2

Though it's a bit of an investment if you don't already have one, you may want to consider putting your dog on a treadmill to get some exercise. The amount of exercise needed by a dog is usually determined by it's energy level, as opposed to it's size.

Energy level aside, walking helps your dog focus and 'work'; it forces the dog's mind to move forward instead of getting stuck on obsessive and mindless, destructive behavior. As wild animals, dogs migrate with their pack, sometimes for days at a time, before stopping to rest or eat. Walking is a very integral part of a dog's life, but an exercise substitute such as a treadmill could work out just fine.

A backyard tie-out could work, but I would suggest investing in something that would encourage the dog to move, such as throwing a tennis ball or a frisbee, or making the dog 'work' for treats by teaching her tricks or obedience.

Good luck! :-)

Answer 3

I heard that the reason toy dogs don't need to be walked as often is because they often follow their owner around from room to room and get "walking" exercise that way. So if your dog is active around the house, I wouldn't worry about taking her for long walks.
And also, when putting her on a tie outside, make sure that you use a harness instead of a collar. Not only is it easy for small dogs to slip out of collars, but they are also harmful to their delicate necks and can damage their throats if they start to pull on the leash/tie.
Good luck, and I hope you're able to keep her!

Answer 4

ask a friend or a neighborhood kid to walk her a couple times a week. yes the tie out is good but make sure she is in a harness, little dogs pull out of collars way too easy.
doggie daycare, or even a professional dog walker would be good
too. but i also suggest going to your doctor, if your asthma is so bad that you can't walk your day for a little while, you need a different medicine. i have my inhaler that i use every morning and also a rescue inhaler. and i walk both my dogs all the time, your medicine may not be strong enough. good luck

Answer 5

There's an advantage in your situation to having a small dog. It's much easier and feasible to play chase and fetch the ball with a dog of that size inside your home. Tho the daily walk is most certainly preferred, and really fun and exciting for any dog to check out all the new smells and such, I would think a good amount of fetch time inside would be able to get a decent cardiovascular work out for your dog.

Answer 6

Take her around and ensure she is socialized. Enroll her in doggie day care a few days a week for the exercise. Try taking her to a dog park on the days she's not in the daycare class.

You may want to look into hiring a dog walker or talk to a neighborhood kid to walk her for you for a few bucks a week.

Good Luck

Answer 7

i think if you are worried about your dog maybe you could hire a dog walker.(if there is someone that will walk your dog in your neighborhood that you trust)or if there is somewhere that you can take your dog to socialize with other dogs and get exercise now and then.i don't know what you have near your house,or maybe you can throw toys around for your dog to catch so that way it Will run.i hope i helped.