Dog Walking/Exercise Challenge, anyone?

jamsk8r · 03-17-2008, 11:30 PM

Hey all, anyone up for a dog walking challenge? I have been letting other things get in the way of taking my dogs out, so I thought some accountability might help me.

If anyone is interested, I thought we could set a goal for miles for the month, or time and/or days per week, and get our pooches out and about: walking, jogging, hiking, skating, scootering, to the dog park, swimming, fetching, training or however you exercise your dogs. Mine would be walking and scootering, since my 2 are trained to pull the scooter and love that. (I think you can google "dogscooter" and turn up some info if you have no idea what I'm talking about.)

Any takers?

DixieAmazon · 03-18-2008, 11:34 AM

I'm in. I think times per week would be good since people just getting into walking more could participate.

jamsk8r · 03-18-2008, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the reply, Cookie! Times per week sounds like a plan, though I think it's alright if others want to post another type of goal. If it gets the dogs (and people) up and moving, it's all good.

My dogs get lots of dog play, but that's still not the same as getting out in the world for some running or swimming or just a walk, so my aim is to fix that. My goal to start will be 3 times per week, starting today.

DixieAmazon · 03-18-2008, 03:24 PM

Same goal here.

jamsk8r · 03-18-2008, 07:12 PM

Okay, I got 20 mins obedience practice done with my big dog, Beorn, then took him and my little dog, Gracie, for a walk around the neighborhood.

One down, two to go, for this week!

nelie · 03-18-2008, 07:42 PM

I walk my dog every morning. My goal is to try to walk her after work as well on some days now that the days are starting to get longer.

jamsk8r · 03-18-2008, 09:23 PM

Thanks for joining us, Nelie.

I'm ready for more daylight, as well!
Good luck with your goal!

DixieAmazon · 03-19-2008, 10:11 AM

Way to go guys. I took Dixie, my 13yo Border Collie, today.

jamsk8r · 03-19-2008, 12:04 PM

I ended up taking Gracie out again when it was time for my run. Did 20 mins with her, then finished up my workout at home. It was a little rough, since I'm a new-ish jogger, and she's never been asked to heel while doing anything faster than a walk (not for more than a few steps, anyway). We made it home alive, so I'm game to try that again next time I run outside.

Cookie, good for you, getting Dixie out.

DixieAmazon · 03-21-2008, 02:43 PM

Walked Janie my Boxer today. It is a big work out since she is strong and kinda hyper.

jamsk8r · 03-21-2008, 03:52 PM

30 mins weight pulling practice with Beorn. Taking a little breather, then I will get Gracie out.

jamsk8r · 03-21-2008, 07:25 PM

1.5 mile scooter run with Gracie, then walked her around the "block" (about .5 mi), for a cool down.

That's 2 down for this week, for each dog. I'll call that good, and start counting my new week on Sunday, since that's how my accountability calendar is set up, and they'll both need a rest day after today.

jamsk8r · 03-21-2008, 07:53 PM

Cookie, I forgot to say, WTG getting Janie out for a walk!

My dog Beorn is strong and hyper, so I can relate. I used to scooter with him (it's like mushing/dog sledding, but for people who live where it doesn't snow), but as he got older and stronger, he just didn't get any mellower, and I got tired of dragging behind the scooter on my face. I'm now locally famous for inventing "extreme dog scootering".

That's why I'm wanting to do more obedience practice/walking or weight pulling with him. He doesn't love those as much as scootering/running, but the weight pulling helps get some of that excess energy out of him, and both activities require him to be calm and attentive, which is an area that needs improvement. He always enjoys getting that one-on-one time, no matter what we're doing!

Nelie, how's it going with your goal? Any luck getting that evening session in? I know it takes some adjustment to get all this new stuff worked in. I'm still trying to pick up the balls I dropped when I took up running and actually eating/cooking regular meals at home (instead of having take out because it was "easier").

jamsk8r · 03-25-2008, 08:06 PM

Well, I did not get a chance to squeeze in anything special with my dogs yesterday...schedule went haywire and didn't get free till after dark.

Today, it's raining and cold, so I won't be going today, either. I'm not giving up, though!

jamsk8r · 03-26-2008, 06:41 PM

I got both dogs out today.

Talking to myself is getting lame, though, so I'll just let this thread die, and keep track of this personal challenge on my calendar at home.