Should I have to walk my dogs if I have 5 acres?

Question

I'm getting 4 German Shephard Mixes from an animal rescue today. I live on 5 acres of fenced in land. Do I still have to walk my dogs even though they have all that space or would it be best not to?

Answer 1

no need to walk them but playing fetch and such should still be done. they will still need your attention.

Answer 2

I would think its not critical, but make sure they are doing exercise on their own. With 4 I would hope they would play together, but just make sure they all are. I have 1 acre & a small dog (15lbs). I thought she'd run around the yard - man did she get lazy!!! She would run all the way out to a tree & sleep. When I got a 2nd dog thinking that would help - she was a bad influence & they both slept all day. Had to go back to walking everyday.

Answer 3

All dogs should be walked. This will help them learn to walk correctly on a leash. I would at first walk one at a time to get them use to it. Then pick up the pace with two and a longer distance. This also helps when there ready to go to the vet and have to be put on a leash. It might be a good idea to take them on short trips in the car to,to see how they behave. If you knew nothing but the inside of your house how would you react if you had to leave that only for a moment. Chicken wire anywhere can be harmful. They make a toy called a Kong for chewers. I have a pit bull and what we do is at night we stuff it with treats , peanut butter and ice cubes. It is given in the morning strait out the freezer and he chews on that all day trying to get the treats out. This curbs him from chewing on anything but what he should.

Answer 4

If you have 5 acres of clear land, i suggest you at least once a day or once a week grab a ball and spend some quality time with your dogs i may sound weird, but even if you read a book in a lawn chair, do something w/ them

Answer 5

You should still walk the dogs. They need the training, they need to be socialized (with other dogs and people) and being on the same 5 acres gets really boring. I learned all that from my dogs.

Answer 6

I wouldn't say you absolutely have to walk them, but it does a lot of good.

First of all, you can teach leash training. German Shepherds can pull, hard, and you want to train that out of them while they're still young.

Secondly, it will teach them how to behave and listen to you , also something a german shepherd should learn before they get too big (this is for any dog, not just shepherds, all dogs need to learn basic obedience). Manners are important.


If you absolutely don't want to walk them, be sure to play with them in the yard a few times each day. Games of fetch, that sort of thing. Five acres is a lot of room for dogs to run, so take advantage of that!

However, since they're still puppies, don't run them too hard, you could damage their joints.

Have fun with your new crew!

Answer 7

I have two St. Bernards and a big yard. They sit at the back door and stare in at me until I walk them or go out and play.

If you observe them getting enough exercise on their own, then I'd say you're OK, but if they are just laying around all day, then you'll need to take more of an active role. You may be able to just walk around your property and they'll follow along (once they see you as the pack leader) without you having to get leashes.

Answer 8

Walking your dog is a great way to bond. It also is a way of letting your dog know where he/she lives, so if by any chance your dog gets out, he/she will know how to get home. With all that land to play in you don't have to do it everyday, but it is good to take that walk once in a while and don't forget it's good for you too. Enjoy your new friends;^)

Answer 9

Walking a dog on a leash is good training for both of you. But let him roam if the area is fenced in, too. Get a Pet Safe wireless fence if it is not.

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Answer 10

I HAD 15 ACRE RANCH, LET THE DOGS OUT ON THEIR ONW. FOR A COUPLE YRS, i DID NOT WALK THEM THEN THEY SRARTED GAINING WEIGHT AND VET SAYS TO WALK THEM AT LEAST A MILE OR TWO EVERY DAY. WHAT i THEN NOTICED { WHEN THEY DON'T WALK ALL THAT MUCH ON THEIR OWN THEY GRAZE OR LAY AROUND AND DO NOT GET A LIVELY WALK FOR THEIR HEART RATE} So now they all walk reg. every morning and evening and are fit and lean Good Luck.

Answer 11

Yes , Walking your dogs is 'pack' time if you are not leading the dogs they will resort to thier own rules, and with German shepards they will soon become 'feral'. SO walk you dogs, the the ball/stick. play games with them the love you give will be the love you recieve (X10!)