Hi i think i have a problem, but i have walked my dog over the last year taking him out for about 4hours plus each night. i do have depression but i forget time when i walk should i be worried???
2007-07-01 20:10:56 · 25 answers · asked by claire 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
as long as your dog is healthy and you are physically healthy it should be ok
make sure you wear reflective clothing and your dog has a reflective collar or coat so you can be seen and ensure someone knows you have gone out.
walking the dog is very thraputic and i find i do alot of thinking on a walk without realising how far i've walked
2007-07-02 06:03:12 · answer #1 · answered by me and the dog 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As far as your dog is concerned, no. Dogs should be walked for several hours a day. Many people think 1 or 2 hours is just fine, not knowing this is actually abuse of neglect. The only thing you want to do is make sure he is doing okay and take water. Dogs have pads on their feet for this reason, they are like built in shoes. Just look at them and see how worn they are. If they look slick, you may want to get him dog shoes, or stay off the pavement. On the plus side, his nails will stay worn down from the walking, which is how nature made them to be anyway.
However, as far as YOU are concerned, you may want to talk out some of your problems. It looks as though your dog is helping you through some of your depression, and that's good. Still, I think he would want you to be healthy with him. Dogs stay very attached to their people, and whatever you feel travels right down the leash. If you are upset, sad, or anything else, so is he.
2007-07-01 20:26:58 · answer #2 · answered by Sit and Stay PS 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lucky dog. :)
You don't sound like you have a problem at all. I have nothing to do in the day and that's probably much the same as you. If you keep yourself busy then you will get depressed less. If you are sitting at home doing nothing then that's when you are going to feel most down. I never have the energy to walk my dog for that long but she has 90 minute walkies with me sometimes (which isn't REALLY good because she is elderly).
2007-07-01 21:58:15 · answer #3 · answered by Trina 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes there was a cruelty case in the state of Kentucky where the woman did over walk the dog in any weather. It depends on the dog. She had "issues" but it was still considered cruelty. However this was a poodle that couldn't walk all day even in freezing temperatures.
2007-07-02 02:29:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as if you may have depression and your feeling more relaxed away on your own. A check up with your Doctor will do you no harm, and hopefully help you. I think 4 hours for your dog is too long, try to half the time, or walk more than once.and take a wee rest for you both every so often.
2007-07-01 21:29:29 · answer #5 · answered by Roxy. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think it's OK to walk for 4 hours but maybe you could give the dog a few minutes break in between. give him some water. enjoy the view! also you should maybe let us know what breed of dog it is. i know bulldogs r a bit more pronged to heat exhaustion. but if it's a hunting dog surely they should be OK.
as i said have a little break, rest yourself, enjoy the view, have a ponder about things you enjoy and then go for another little stretch. i do think however, if you are not doing so already to get some professional help. if you have depression it doesn't have to mean the end of your life. it's just a hurdle that you need to overcome.
good luck!
2007-07-01 20:25:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You didn't say what kind of dog you have. larger dogs need alot of exercise so it wouldn't matter. if it's a smaller dog, just be careful you're not over tiring it. But to be honest, if the dog has been walked like this for a year with no problems arising, I wouldn't worry too much.
2007-07-01 23:31:43 · answer #7 · answered by heartshapedglasses 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like a healthy way to deal with depression to me (so many people get addicted to pills or alcohol or go on eating binges instead), and it's also good for your body. If your dog can take all that exercise (you shouldn't be pushing him to keep walking if he's getting exhausted), and it makes you feel better and gives you time to think or ignore your worries, then I don't think there's anything wrong with it - we all have different ways of coping with such things, and it seems like this is yours.
2007-07-01 20:15:38 · answer #8 · answered by Mandy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you should be worried. Exercise is very good for depression, and I'm sure your dog enjoys the walks. If he didn't he would let you know!
Carry on walking!
2007-07-01 20:30:42 · answer #9 · answered by Copper 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Walking is one of the best ways to help with depression, you must enjoy walking so keep it up. If it takes your mind of other things than it can only be a good thing.
2007-07-01 22:43:18 · answer #10 · answered by jo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋