Feeling Guilty?

Question

Hi, am the proud owner of a dalmatian and also 34 weeks pregnant. The thing is, I can't walk her as long as I have ben able to in the past. I get really breathless (which is confusing to me as I am a very active person). I feel that she is maybe slightly depressed due to this but I am showering her with loads of attention and love- nothing from the norm really to be honest. I let her out in the morning and take her for a walk to make sure she has a bowel movement, and usually at least once a day I get her into the field too. She is 9 yrs old and I hate that I could be confusing her. Are there any other ways I can keep her active? Any games so that she doesnt get bored and still enjoys life? Thanks in advance..... A very loving but tired, mum to be.x

I would love to let her just wander at the park , but she can be quite weird sometimes in the way that she will play and have a great time with some dogs but with others she will just go for them.

Nah girl, you made me laugh my *** off at how stupid you really are. Get a life, grow up and take a chill pill. Better yet, try yoga. Might just do that mind a bit of good!

Toni, if I could cycle, i could walk as well.........

Answer 1

Haha - know exactly how you feel. I am 32 weeks pregnant and have 3 very active dogs which I normally do agility with.

I am just walking them as far as I can on a regular basis. Lots of ball throwing etc and have bought them all new kongs to keep them busy and not bored.

I personally think that dogs know (hormone smell etc) when you are pregnant and are a little more tolerant - mine are being very careful not to knock into me at the moment where as they used to bowl me over.

Congratulations on the baby and don't feel guilty about your dog.

Answer 2

Don't feel guilty. I'm sure the dog knows you're going through some changes. Is there an off-leash dog park you can take her to? Maybe you could find a bench there (or anywhere it's safe to let her off the leash) and just sit down and throw a ball for her? It won't be long before you can get back out there with her and the stroller! Good luck!

Answer 3

Try not feel guilty. You sound like a great dog mum.

Dogs are remarkably adaptable creatures. YOU may feel that she is somehow lacking but the chances are that she feels perfectly content with her change in routine. As I said, dogs are far more adaptable than we give them credit for.

Do you have any friends or family that can help you with walks, even if it is only two or three times per week? if she gets out for 2-3 longer walks during the week it might take a weight off your mind. If you don't have any friends/family that can help, what about neighbors? you might be surprised at how many people would love to have a dog accompany them on walks. It doesn't hurt to ask.

You can try providing her with interactive toys -- stuffed Kong's, rubber balls that dispense treats, etc. Raw marrow bones are also fantastic. My dogs spend HOURS chewing away on their bones.

What about training? teaching tricks is a brilliant way to stimulate the mind.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I think the guilt you feel is a natural reaction to your situation but you have no reason to feel this. Your pooch probably senses your guilt and this makes her uneasy. Contact you local shelter and vet surgeon, they may be able to put you in touch with a dog walker, alternatively have a family member help you out, thats what families are for. Please look after yourself, the happier your pregnancy the happier your dog.
Also if the breathlessness is worrying then get this checked out by your gp asap.

Answer 5

Maybe you could hire a dog walker or find a family member that is willing to take her out for some more regular exercise. I can't imagine that someone surely wouldn't love the opportunity to lend a helping hand, heck-if you lived near me I'd come by & walk your dog with my two! :)

Congratulations on your pregnancy, many happy wishes for the future!

Answer 6

My two only miss walks when it's really raining hard, but when we do, I play hunt the treat/toy games. I've got ten flower pots, which I'll hide a treat under and they take turns to find it. Or I shut them out of a room, then drag a toy across the floor, and hide it under a cushion or something. They have to track it and find it...
Any kind of training takes brainwork, which will also wear her out...sadly affection won't mean much to her, unless she has to work for it, so cuddles should be saved until she's earned them!
Best wishes to you and baby (and Dal)

Answer 7

Try playing fetch with her. You could even do that sitting down. Dogs are very intuitive animals. She may just be feeling the excitment of the new baby coming. Don't feel guilty, you don't need to do that to yourself with all the other emotions you are dealing with right now. Just keep giving her loves and reinforcing that everything is okay and normal. Good luck with your baby and your new baby. :)

Answer 8

have you no one else in the family who would help you with this? maybe a neighbour would appreciate the exercise. wish i could help you. i love dogs . but way up in the rainy North of England. i had an Alsatian when I was pregnant, and had to stop taking him out as I had high blood pressure and couldnt walk up a hill. think more about yourself and your baby. good luck.

Answer 9

Dont feel guilty but do something about.

My dog gets bored if he doesnt have enough excercise, so what we do is give him mental excercise instead of menal excercise, we use KONGS, which are rubber balls or shapes which you can put food into and give it to the dog and they have to work out how to get the food out which stimulates there mind, you can also freeze them in the summer to make them a cold treat. You can buy these online or major pet stores like pets at home.

http://www.kongcompany.com

you can also get a dog walker for about 7.50 for half hour which will give her the much needed excercise.

Answer 10

Don't feel guilty. Have you a park nearby if so take her there and sit. Sshe will potter about and maybe have a good romp with another dog