An epidemic of dog boredom sweeps the country?

An article in the Independent this morning claims 'global warming' is making dogs bored!

Is it just a case of 'fair weather walkers'? And how do you motivate yourself to get out with your dog when the weather is awful

 

I have no choice. That Labrador stare is hypnotic - he can make me do anything he wants!

 

I just go . I have made sure I have a good range of warm, waterproof clothes and always have good walking boots. Even when we had gales last week I found times to go out when the wind dropped, sometimes it was only a short walk but I got lots of training in to wear Ripple out.
There are lots of fair weather walkers in my village though, sometimes I prefer the bad weather as I get the woods and tracks to myself .

 

Unfortunately I think it's more a case of "fair weather" owners. When we were planning to get a puppy we purchased jackets, boots and shoes that we we could wear for dog walks in all weathers. When thinking of getting a puppy I think most people dream of those lovely walks in the country on a sunny day and totally ignore the realities of our weather.
I guess I have to say that I don't motivate myself for walks as such, just try to avoid the worst of the rain or get out between showers. We often go to the woods when it's raining so it's wet getting out of the car but reasonably dry under the shelter of the trees. Juno doesn't care much about the weather, she loves her walks rain or shine. We also always have a play session after dinner which can be fetch, hide and seek or Juno getting me on the floor and licking my face and ears which I think is her favourite game

 

We just go!

I love that having dogs means we walk in all weathers, they get us out like nothing else does. I feel much better for a long dog walk - even a rainy wet and muddy one.

Good waterproof trousers/wellies/coat are a must!



What is better than a happy muddy dog?



.

 

Having the right clothes is a huge part of it isn't it? And having them close to hand too, so it is easy to throw them on and just go.

 

I did used to think I wouldn't take a dog out in bad weather, but since we have had Buster (his birthday was yesterday, he's now 2), we are out in all weathers after all your dog still needs walking, and I actually quite like being out in the wind and rain, Buster not so much

 

We struggle more with the heat than the wet. We're happy to walk in any cold, wet weather (although I'm sure our cold/wet isn't as extreme as the UK) but when we have days in the high 30s and low 40s walking can be really tricky.

It often results in lots of indoor games and training through the day and a late walk after the sun has gone down and the pavements have cooled.

It can be difficult to find the motivation to go out at 9pm after a long hot day but usually I have a hooligan bouncing around infront of me by that point so that tends to be all the motivation I need

 

I'm on a cliff in Cornwall and it's 50knots of wind and driving rain...Charlie got a lead walk around town, not an off lead run. He'll cope today, I reckon. Charlie himself is not all that thrilled by walking in heavy rain.

The pet owners I know are pretty dedicated, and their pooches get plenty of activity - I'm sure there are dogs that don't, but plenty of people (myself included) are slaves to the dog walks. If Charlie doesn't get an off lead run, in addition to his other walks, playtimes, training times, swimming, classes...... I feel pretty guilty!

 

Charlie is a lucky boy

 

Sigh though....

weather by Julie T, on Flickr

 

I cannot stay in the house all day, would drive me stir crazy. I love walking the dogs in the rain as most dog walkers are at home! The dogs love it, but we both HATE the last bit of washing off the mud! Sad those for dogs who are not walked because of rain.

@JulieT your weather forecast looks like every SUMMER holiday we have had, hence I never go on one now!

 

I love to walk whatever the weather. My last dog HATED the rain, if even one drop landed on her furry bounce she reacted like it was Acid Rain, yet if we came to a filthy farm puddle she was in it like a shot.

Molly always seems jumpy in strong winds. I point out her Labrador beginnings and tell her she should be grateful she is not in Labrador breaking the ice with her chest

The huge advantage to bad weather is that it keeps the less hardy at home so we don't have to cope with toddlers careering around on trikes and untrained dogs that are out for their weekly pull. There is a camaraderie amongst us hardy dog walkers.

Just as well I don't live Australia, I simply cannot cope with the heat. We either do short walks early or not at all. My experience with dogs tells me that when it is really hot they have the sense to seek shade and do nothing, so I let them get on with it.

Your wind in Cornwall is now blowing across Oxfordshire and dropping rain as it goes☔️☔️☔️

 

OH and I have been walkers all our lives so a bit of weather and mud doesn't really bother us too much. We've accumulated a lot of wet weather gear over the years. Holly doesn't seem to care if it's wet, but looks rather sulky and glum if she doesn't get her morning walk. I think that some dogs don't like the rain, so it's not always the owner's fault if the dog doesn't get a walk.

 

I quite enjoy walking in all weathers. I've got lots of warm and waterproof clothing so it's not a problem. Harley doesn't seem to mind going out on any weather - we often go into the woods when it's really bad as keeps us a bit drier.
I feel sorry for the dogs whose owners are fair weather walkers!
Tristan is currently refusing to go out in the rain! My hubby had to carry him out this morning to get him to have a wee! Don't think he likes rain

 

Yep, Ella spends most of the day lying on the tiles in the kitchen on the really hot days. The only issue is when a whole day's worth of energy comes in one go as soon as the temperature drops!

 

There is no way I could deny Rosie the pleasure she gets from our daily walks just because of some inclement weather. Besides that, it makes me happy and gives me a sense of wellbeing seeing the joy she gets from bouncing through the long grass or splashing through the puddles.

 

I'd swap weather with you but we actually have some pretty good walking weather coming up this week...

 

I think that's just adding insult to injury, @Emily! Seriously.....

 

The met office says the wind will drop to 40mph, from 60mph, at 4pm today....