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

[Stubby]

Now that my FAVOURITE time of year is here again... My morning and evening walks with the dogs are pretty much allways in the dark. And, I don't much like letting them off leash in the local park as I can't allways see who or what is there.
I can't really throw the ball in the house for them, and with all the wet weather out there, the back yard is a mud pit..

What do you all do to keep the dogs exercised enough in the dark winter months?

[spidey]

You can get glow-in-the-dark or lighted balls and collar lights for playing outside when it's dark. You could also consider getting into agility or finding a club with indoor facilities, where you and your dogs can run around inside at least once or twice a week.

[mmgy]

"Short winter days" are my least favorite thing about owning dogs.

:(

[Rott-Wiley]

I have a solution, but you have to move to Florida and once you're here, you still have to get off work by 5:PM to get home in time.

[Stubby]

Ahh, don't think thats gonna work man.... :D

I gotta get me another glow in the dark ball though. TJ left his on a trail when we went 4X4 ing this summer.. That might at least allow us to play fetch...

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally posted by spidey
You could also consider getting into agility or finding a club with indoor facilities, where you and your dogs can run around inside at least once or twice a week.

This is what we did with Julius. We have agility every Wednesday night & he has a blast. He gets to gallop around the course & we do a bit of flyball too (which he ROCKS at I might add.....:D ). After two hours of doing that he is thouroughly EXHAUSTED!! He just plops on the floor when we get home.

As for walking in the dark I just don't like to. I don't feel comfortable with it. Ryan's cool with walking Jules in the dark....so I will do strolls during the day & Ryan will do them at night for the most part. But our schedules are flexible so it's usually not a problem

:)
Brooke

[Bucky's Mom]

Tennis Courts are usually lighted and LOCKABLE - you could throw a ball in there even when it is dark and contain them at the same time - just a thought :)

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally posted by Bucky's Mom
Tennis Courts are usually lighted and LOCKABLE - you could throw a ball in there even when it is dark and contain them at the same time - just a thought :)

Oohh, I forgot about that one. We do that quite a bit with Jules also.

:)
Brooke

[Stubby]

Well, we don't have any outdoor tennis courts around here that I can get into.
I've got TJ into Schutzhund, but not Bear, so thats not fair.
Still thats only 2 times a week.. I just feel bad about the kids not getting enough exercise.. :(

I guess I need to suck it up and deal with it!! :D :)

[fbkeays]

If you feed dry kibble, you can toss it across the room and have the dogs hunt for it.

[Carina43]

Last night I took the dogs down to the basement and played hide and seek with their toys, fetch, and we worked on stays and fast downs. I don't mind walking at night, but it was pouring rain.

We're somewhat rural, but there is a subdivision just down the street - since it's well lighted, it's a good place to walk the dogs.

[K9-man]

I walk em in the dark ;) – it’s no big deal. :)

Although last night was a treat; 45 degrees and about a 30 mph wind whipping rain into my face. :(

[poohbearsmom]

Originally posted by K9-man
I walk em in the dark ;) – it’s no big deal. :)

Although last night was a treat; 45 degrees and about a 30 mph wind whipping rain into my face. :(

Florida Rocks in November.
:D

[K9-man]

Originally posted by poohbearsmom
Florida Rocks in November.

Well, not exactly. ;)

Twenty five degrees and snow whipping in my face would have been awesome!! :D :D :D

[jbach]

Originally posted by K9-man
Although last night was a treat; 45 degrees and about a 30 mph wind whipping rain into my face. :(

Dark isn't so bad but I hate the cold and wind. But, we've had unseasonably warm weather the last few days. Almost 80 degrees and it should be a lot cooler. It makes it a lot more pleasant for evening walks. And boy would I like to be in South Florida!