Do you drive to take your dog a walk?
Discussion
We have had dogs for over 25 years and we always want to give them a daily off lead walk away from traffic and that requires a short trip in the car and this is what our dogs expect everyday.
Our dogs always want to thoroughly sniff the good work of the other dogs that went before them so any local walk on lead would get no where as our dogs would always be stopping.
We live on the outskirts of a medium sized town and there must be 1000's of dogs in town but most mornings we have the local out of town dog walking place to ourselves so where are all the other dogs being walked?
Our dogs always want to thoroughly sniff the good work of the other dogs that went before them so any local walk on lead would get no where as our dogs would always be stopping.
We live on the outskirts of a medium sized town and there must be 1000's of dogs in town but most mornings we have the local out of town dog walking place to ourselves so where are all the other dogs being walked?
Tigerj said:
One of the criteria when buying our house was suitable dog walks within walking distance. We’ll drive to different ones on the weekend but in the week it’s all ones we can get too from the house.
We're a few hundred yards from Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland, and there is a lovely wood that runs along the shoreline and just behind my house.Unfortunately it's no longer safe for dogs due to high levels of blue green algae in the water. Quite a number of dogs died as a result over the last 2 years.
Was always hugely popular for dog walkers and water is very shallow, even 50 yards out just knee deep. You can imagine the fun dogs would have in vast shallow water like that - just blazing through it.
We couldn't even go kayaking or paddle boarding this season as it can make people very sick too. Such a shame.
Most of the time, no. We have 10 acres of land, so exercise our dogs in our fields most days. It's nice not to have to get in the car generally.
But (mostly when I'm off work and have the time) we do like to do proper day trips out. We live in Carmarthenshire, near the borders with Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, and not too far from Powys, so have plenty of choice of lovely places to visit. We did a walk near Aberystwyth on Christmas Eve; went to Stackpole/Bosherston in Pembrokeshire on 28 December; and to a place near Abergwesyn, followed by a trip up the Devil's Staircase and beside Llyn Brianne reservoir on 29 December.
But (mostly when I'm off work and have the time) we do like to do proper day trips out. We live in Carmarthenshire, near the borders with Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, and not too far from Powys, so have plenty of choice of lovely places to visit. We did a walk near Aberystwyth on Christmas Eve; went to Stackpole/Bosherston in Pembrokeshire on 28 December; and to a place near Abergwesyn, followed by a trip up the Devil's Staircase and beside Llyn Brianne reservoir on 29 December.
Edited by moorx on Sunday 31st December 23:24
Regular walk is suburban roads and paths round where we live. I just open the front door and then follow the dog wherever he fancies going. 90% of the time he wants the exact same walk but he's started varying his route a little recently. Bit of path, bit of road, a few small parks.
About once a week we drive out about 20 mins so he can have a good country walk off lead. He's a Border Collie so everyone expects him to be stark staring mental but his favorite thing is just a good sniff around in a hedge and he gets bored after about four throws of a ball and just doesn't bother bringing it back. There's a farm that's just been sold from sheep into arable with nice wide field margins (thanks government subsidies) so gives a perfect path across the top of the hills that he can be off lead pretty much the whole way. It's not the most picturesque bit of countryside with a busy road a few fields away so we hardly see anyone else there either human or canine which fits both our agendas just fine.
About once a week we drive out about 20 mins so he can have a good country walk off lead. He's a Border Collie so everyone expects him to be stark staring mental but his favorite thing is just a good sniff around in a hedge and he gets bored after about four throws of a ball and just doesn't bother bringing it back. There's a farm that's just been sold from sheep into arable with nice wide field margins (thanks government subsidies) so gives a perfect path across the top of the hills that he can be off lead pretty much the whole way. It's not the most picturesque bit of countryside with a busy road a few fields away so we hardly see anyone else there either human or canine which fits both our agendas just fine.
Just back from our morning walk, driving both ways.
We moved to the west of Ireland when we retired and were amazed at the lack of safe places to walk dogs off the lead.
When we lived in Shropshire, our dogs came to work with us and there were several walks without needing to take a car, but I still tended to drive. One of my walks was where REESE and Lottie live. Surprised we never bumped into one another.
Having said that we used to drive further at the weekend.
We moved to the west of Ireland when we retired and were amazed at the lack of safe places to walk dogs off the lead.
When we lived in Shropshire, our dogs came to work with us and there were several walks without needing to take a car, but I still tended to drive. One of my walks was where REESE and Lottie live. Surprised we never bumped into one another.
Having said that we used to drive further at the weekend.
We recently moved house so now have a good mix of walks round the local estates, plenty of pocket of woodland they can run around, plus lots of local footpath/bridleways through the farmers fields to mix it up.
We struggle a bit during the week due to the light, but I try and take them new places in the car at the weekend for new sniffs. Very fortunate to be 5mins from the Kennet & Avon Canal, plus lots of forests for walks.
We struggle a bit during the week due to the light, but I try and take them new places in the car at the weekend for new sniffs. Very fortunate to be 5mins from the Kennet & Avon Canal, plus lots of forests for walks.
During the week, our little chap gets walked around the block and on the nearest local park. At weekends we generally take him out at least once each day in the car to somewhere a little farther afield. Typically, on Sundays, we go into the Peak District for a good long walk for him and find a nice tea-room for Mrs.Chips!
We chose our house because we wanted somwhere with a large granny annexe for granny and me to live in, while the grandchildren were small - they lived with their parents in the main part of the house for 10 years until 2022. Such houses are rare, so dog walks just outside the gate came well down the priorities. The good thing is we have a fenced-in three quarter acre garden, so plenty of space to run around and toilet.
We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
I live in a leafy village with several public footpaths and wooded walks, I find half of the people that drive here to walk their dog do so because they don't want to pick up their s
t and think no one will see them.
My dog seems to have wanted to walk to the pub most days over Christmas, little bugger getting me in to trouble.
t and think no one will see them.My dog seems to have wanted to walk to the pub most days over Christmas, little bugger getting me in to trouble.
QBee said:
We chose our house because we wanted somwhere with a large granny annexe for granny and me to live in, while the grandchildren were small - they lived with their parents in the main part of the house for 10 years until 2022. Such houses are rare, so dog walks just outside the gate came well down the priorities. The good thing is we have a fenced-in three quarter acre garden, so plenty of space to run around and toilet.
We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
Similar to us. We live on 20 acres of our land in the middle of a 300 square mile area of commercial forestry where we seldom see another human or dog. The dogs have free run (except when the postie is due) but get taken for at least 3 x 2mile walks everyday.We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
However, we take them 10 or 12 miles by car into the local park at least once a week. Like yours, the young one just loves to play chase with other dogs, and the old one (13 year old retired working collie) happily spends an hour or two just sniffing around all the trees and path edges where other dogs have been.
Desiderata said:
QBee said:
We chose our house because we wanted somwhere with a large granny annexe for granny and me to live in, while the grandchildren were small - they lived with their parents in the main part of the house for 10 years until 2022. Such houses are rare, so dog walks just outside the gate came well down the priorities. The good thing is we have a fenced-in three quarter acre garden, so plenty of space to run around and toilet.
We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
Similar to us. We live on 20 acres of our land in the middle of a 300 square mile area of commercial forestry where we seldom see another human or dog. The dogs have free run (except when the postie is due) but get taken for at least 3 x 2mile walks everyday.We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
However, we take them 10 or 12 miles by car into the local park at least once a week. Like yours, the young one just loves to play chase with other dogs, and the old one (13 year old retired working collie) happily spends an hour or two just sniffing around all the trees and path edges where other dogs have been.
Silvanus said:
Desiderata said:
QBee said:
We chose our house because we wanted somwhere with a large granny annexe for granny and me to live in, while the grandchildren were small - they lived with their parents in the main part of the house for 10 years until 2022. Such houses are rare, so dog walks just outside the gate came well down the priorities. The good thing is we have a fenced-in three quarter acre garden, so plenty of space to run around and toilet.
We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
Similar to us. We live on 20 acres of our land in the middle of a 300 square mile area of commercial forestry where we seldom see another human or dog. The dogs have free run (except when the postie is due) but get taken for at least 3 x 2mile walks everyday.We are on a 60 mph country through lane, with no pavements. It is dangerous for people, never mind with dogs on leads, so we always drive the dogs to the two walks within three miles of home that allow offlead running. One a nice park in the local town, which is also close to the shops, and the other some well maintained woods about 2 miles away. The younger of our dogs loves to socialise with other dogs - his idea of fun is racing around at top speed with other dogs.
Before that we had an 8 acre strip of land at the back of our previous house, which made for a safe walk and space to let them out, but still used to take them frequently 2-3 miles by car to socialise with other dogs.
However, we take them 10 or 12 miles by car into the local park at least once a week. Like yours, the young one just loves to play chase with other dogs, and the old one (13 year old retired working collie) happily spends an hour or two just sniffing around all the trees and path edges where other dogs have been.
After 10 years with no neighbours, our nearest neighbours are about 400 yards away, I am dreading the thought of having them closer again.
Round the block in the morning which is about a mile but do mix it up a bit. I would drive him to the local park near the estuary but now he's older it's in walking distance. I'll take him somewhere different at least one of the weekend days. The exciting thing is thinking where next. He loves it and sleeps really deeply that night. Proper content. Can't wait to do a mountain or two with him this year but distance in the car is still his weakness. No sick lately but lots of drool.
Yes. I very rarely walk her around the local streets as we have a 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve 1.5 miles from our doorstep. I would walk there but we have to cross a busy A road so prefer to drive plus she gets to spend pretty much the whole walk off lead which she loves so I don't mind a short drive. Do the same in winter, I just take a couple of torches with me and put a light on her harness.
Sometimes, usually when the wife wants to tag along, she'll look up a walk on Alltrails which almost always involves a drive somewhere to start off.
I am lucky where we live as a decent "away from it all" walk can be as little as a 15 minute walk away to farmland. .
I tend to do a 6 mile circular from home which takes me along the river, through woods and back home, about 2 thirds of it is river and woods, the remaining third is getting to that area and back.
The wife also meets up with friends if I'm at work, for a dog walk, this always involves meeting up at a local beauty spot that can be walked to from home but it's a good 30 minutes walk away so she drives, once there she'll do around 3 miles.
2-3 times a week they get a walk like above, otherwise it's 45 minutes before work on the lead, about 2.5 - 3 miles.
I am lucky where we live as a decent "away from it all" walk can be as little as a 15 minute walk away to farmland. .
I tend to do a 6 mile circular from home which takes me along the river, through woods and back home, about 2 thirds of it is river and woods, the remaining third is getting to that area and back.
The wife also meets up with friends if I'm at work, for a dog walk, this always involves meeting up at a local beauty spot that can be walked to from home but it's a good 30 minutes walk away so she drives, once there she'll do around 3 miles.
2-3 times a week they get a walk like above, otherwise it's 45 minutes before work on the lead, about 2.5 - 3 miles.
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