Dark in the morning - Dark at night. What to do with the critters?

[Rocky's_mom]

I hate the dark. In my old house, the bathroom was in the opposit end from the bedroom. I had to turn off lights and so I would and run from one end to the next, slam the door, and hop into bed. My hubby makes fun of me! But anyway...We play keep the ball away and Rocky loves that. We also play fetch. In this new house all we have are hard wood floors (one spare bedroom is carpet) so it is harder to play until we get rugs down.

Rocky desided he was going to play and to get around the conors, he would hop like a bunny (so he wouldn't fall) it was funny.

I also keep his mind busy. Training, bones, eating, letting him run around outside on his leash (we don't have a fenced in yard-yet :D )

[Patty1231]

I hate winter and I hate all the darkness but I buck up and deal in spite of myself. (I know I was born in the wrong state!) Rocco and I walk regardless. I'm lucky to have a large house so I can throw a ball into the kitchen from the living room and he gets a good run. I also have 17 steps from the 1st to 2nd floor so that gives him a workout.

[SABELLESMOM]

I do long walks at the lake with a long lead thru-out fall, winter and spring. It's generally a 2 mile hike, but you can take lots of different trails. I usually can manage at least 2x a week sometimes 3, depending on the weather.

Someone mentioned tennis courts? What used to be a tennis court is now a parking lot to a local kids base/soft/foot/basketball park. The lot is fenced. There's also a mostly fenced little league field...same park.

We play ball toss, and catch, and chase, etc. Then there's a couple of exercise parks. Dogs have to be on leash, but it gets less crowded all the time.

Oh! There's any number of secluded type parking lots at various parks, businesses on off days, etc.

Also we attatched our 20x20 foot kennel (opened up) to our "L" shaped privacy fence, making it 3x the size. They love it! And it's big enough for us too! I can't wait to see them use it when it snows. WHAT AM I SAYING??

I'm going to have to give the basement a try. I'm sure they'd like that. Oh those glow in the dark balls are fun.

[LynnS]

I hate the time change as well. I take Bella out for a 30-45min brisk walk (she trots about haslf the time) in the morning and about the same at night. Luckily San Francisco has a lot of steep steep streets and stairs so it's decent excercise but not as much fun as taking her to the beach at night.

Oh and Poohbears mom? I would love to live in South Florida from October - February!

[k&s]

I take my two to obedience class 2X per week (that's 1 hour per dog per night), and train them on the other days in the house. You really don't need alot of room to train, in fact I've been told it is best to do only a few steps of heelwork at a time. I just cleaned out part of my (small but dry) basement and now there is enough room to do some training down there. Granted, this is not alot of physical activity, but I do believe they need the mental stimulation even more than the physical activity, and 15 minutes of training goes alot farther than 1 twice as long of walking or playing to tire them out.

[bliss7373]

Most of the time, we just bundle up and walk. I hate to be cold, so it's miserable, but it has to be done. I use the few well lit streets, and a nearby tennis court as well. Training sessions are great as well, but Sofia just needs good, old-fashioned exercise to be content.

When it is truly nasty, or I just don't want to walk all the way over to the lights/tennis court, I hook Sofia to a lunge line ( a long line used to exercise horses, for the non-equestrians among us), and we play ball, run around, etc. It's nice for the convenience, and keeps me from walking on slippery sidewalks or very late at night. However, it sure isn't a real workout for her.

I hate winter. Tell me again, why did I stay in Ohio?? :D :D

[LynnS]

Granted, this is not alot of physical activity, but I do believe they need the mental stimulation even more than the physical activity, and 15 minutes of training goes alot farther than 1 twice as long of walking or playing to tire them out.

I am not discounting the importance of training but it depends on the dog.Bella definately needs real excercise in addition to training - training alone does not burn off enough steam (I am speaking about ob training not agility, Sch, tracking etc...) I do incorporate alot of play in our training but she still has a ton of energy..maybe I am missing something?

[JaniceH]

We don't suffer the same extreme winters here in England. But it does get cold, wet and windy, and of course dark.

When I had Luka, I just got on with it. I would wrap up well and set off to battle with the elements. It just became a way of life for the winter period. The worst part was getting ready to go out...once I was out walking her, I was fine and even enjoyed it.

We used to go out for approx. 40 mins every morning and evening
whatever the weather. I would put on her reflective collar which also had flashing lights on it. This was great as I could let her off in safe places and still see where she was. Unfortunately we did frighten someone in the woods early one morning. All this person
could see (it was dark obviously), was something flashing in the distance and getting closer. Then he came across a grinning Rottweiler and screamed and ran off. Luka just stood there wondering what all the fuss was about whilst I felt guilty. I can see the funny side now, but I hope the guy was ok.

I also took her for much longer walks at the weekends, when I had the day time to enjoy.

I have just got a 10 week old puppy now, so it is not going to be too much of an issue this winter. Can't wait to take her out with a flashing collar though !!! Looks good at Christmas too !

[Stubby]

As others mentioned, I don't have a problem with just WALKING them in the dark, but just a walk is not enough for TJ and the Bear.
I have been playing a bit in the basement with them, but I think I'll need to regiment it more, make it more challenging for them to "play".
I've also been working on the OB side of it as well. Maybe I should do MORE OB since I usually only do about 5 minutes or so in the morning and at night.
Thanks for all your comments so far!

[poohbearsmom]

Originally posted by LynnS
Oh and Poohbears mom? I would love to live in South Florida from October - February!

LOL.. me too. I'm damn near in Georgia. 11 miles from the state line. We get freezes here, and it has been known to snow. The trees get bald, and it looks like winter in the winter time.

But, today, it will be 85F, so I'm not whining too much... yet.

I think we should chip in and buy a nice spanish style mansion on South Beach to winter in. Longer days (if only by a few minutes..lol), warm Caribbean breezes, and Pina Coladas.

:D

[MontanaRott]

We bundle up and walk, then play toss the kong down the hall. We also take him in the backyard and chase him around. Weekends are better cause you can get out and go somewhere to let them run during the daylight hours and just do the best you can the rest of the week. DH takes the boy to work with him a few times a week too and gets him out during breaks to help get more exercise and relive some of the boys boredom. Ah the things we do for rottie love!

[Carina43]

Originally posted by montanarott
DH takes the boy to work with him a few times a week too and gets him out during breaks to help get more exercise and relive some of the boys boredom. Ah the things we do for rottie love!

Mick takes Dutch to work with him sometimes and does the same thing! There's a lake & trails by the hospital, & he takes Dutch over there. And I take Cooper (the Mama's boy) to work quite often.
I must say it's nice having multiple dogs - we have a big enough yard they can go out & really let rip if I get lazy. But I also like taking them for walks, even short ones.
Stubby - you can mix up walks and some training. You can make the dogs sit at curbs, do heeling, figure eights around trees, distance sits & downs...we don't necessarily just aimlessly stroll. :)

[rottnkidd]

Originally posted by Carina43
[B...we don't necessarily just aimlessly stroll. :) [/b]

You don't??? I love strolling aimlessly, Carina! :D :D :D
kathy

[Carina43]

Originally posted by rottnkidd
You don't??? I love strolling aimlessly, Carina! :D :D :D
kathy

:) Well of course, I do too! And often do...but I do mix in little exercises when the mood strikes, just to keep the dogs on their toes!

[PuppyLover]

Originally posted by Stubby
As others mentioned, I don't have a problem with just WALKING them in the dark, but just a walk is not enough for TJ and the Bear.

If your health allows it maybe turn that walk into a jog? Or if the sidewalks are not icy you ride a bike and have the kids run next to you?

You Florida and Georgia people, PFFFTTTT! Tell me where you live, complete with address and which corner of your yard I can use. I have a tent and I know how to use it you know! :D