Quote: Jennifer Mullen

But we're talking short periods of time. I would never get a high-energy dog and expect it to do okay with that as its LIFE. I really do think people need to meet their dog's needs, even if it means changing their lifestyle.

Absolutely. I agree 100%.

I hope nobody thought I meant any different.

Here is a question specifically for you that I think will shed more light on the question for me.

Knowing what Luc is capable of. If I owned him, would it be too little exercise if we went on 5-10 mile runs in the morning, 5 mile walks in the evening, some play time and training time throughout the day when I have time? That would be during the week.

On weekends, we would do the same, but have a much longer run once during the weekend. Say, anywhere from 15-25 miles.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

... Here is a question specifically for you that I think will shed more light on the question for me.

Knowing what Luc is capable of. If I owned him, would it be too little exercise if we went on 5-10 mile runs in the morning, 5 mile walks in the evening, some play time and training time throughout the day when I have time? That would be during the week.

On weekends, we would do the same, but have a much longer run once during the weekend. Say, anywhere from 15-25 miles.

Of course, I am not trying to answer for Jennifer, but one of my dogs just read that over my shoulder and fainted.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Michael_Wise

... Here is a question specifically for you that I think will shed more light on the question for me.

Knowing what Luc is capable of. If I owned him, would it be too little exercise if we went on 5-10 mile runs in the morning, 5 mile walks in the evening, some play time and training time throughout the day when I have time? That would be during the week.

On weekends, we would do the same, but have a much longer run once during the weekend. Say, anywhere from 15-25 miles.

Of course, I am not trying to answer for Jennifer, but one of my dogs just read that over my shoulder and fainted.

I'm literally LMAO right now.


ETA: Thanks for all the great discussion everybody. Good stuff.:smile:

Well, remember, I only have so much time during the day myself! Our mileage varies by day....but there are definitely days where he doesn't get that much, and days he does, during the week. Weekends that's great.

But frankly, while Luc is capable of ultramarathon distances, he's actually a pretty lazy dog.

Some days, he doesn't want to run, and some days, he does. The days he doesn't, he goes and sits under the table. The days he does, he prances by the door. B/c I need him in shape to do certain runs with me (or want him shape), somedays if he doesn't want to run, I don't make him, but somedays I do.

When I had the tibia stress fx and was off for 5 months, Luc - even though he can do huge distances - was the only dog I didn't really have to worry about. Luc really is happy as a couch potato. He would probably do fine with a low-energy owner, though I don't think it would be optimum for him, b/c he gets so much joy and happiness from being out on trail.

So Luc may not be a great example - he's a very fit dog but he's not a high-energy dog (the way I think a Mal or Dutchie or Alaskan Husky bred to race would be).


Edit: Connie, LOL!!!! Well, remember, at the end of an all-night 60k hike, Luc wanted to run....me, not so much I'll take pics on our 80k trail run (attempting to set a trail record!)....

Im the wrong Jennifer too but I wanted to add something.

Yote would still tear crap up all day if given the chance. The difference is in his response to being told to stop or follow other basic commands.

When he hasn't had enough exercise it's almost like a compulsion, he will grab anything he can get his mouth on. He will also pace and bark at everyone and just generally act horrible.

When he has had enough exercise I can see him heading towards the trash, tell him no, and he will stop and go lay down.

So while he still has plenty of potential to be awful, he is completely manageable with enough exercise.

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

Im the wrong Jennifer too but I wanted to add something.

I said specifically for her, but still would like to hear from any and everybody about the whole thread.

I like hearing everybody's thoughts on this. Didn't expect this much discussion. Pleasantly surprised.:smile:

I think you can create a situation where your dog is SO fit that he actually requires more exercise to burn off the energy. I learned THAT the hard way

I've learned to keep it consistent and reasonable and it seems to work pretty well. Destruction of property and naughty behavior not permitted. Period.

This is a neat thread

Jennifer M., I trust your opinion of Luc, but can't help think you aren't giving yourself as much credit as you deserve for being a good pack leader/boss 'O the family.:wink: Whatever you want to call it.

 Quote: jennifer lee

... When he hasn't had enough exercise it's almost like a compulsion, he will grab anything he can get his mouth on. He will also pace and bark at everyone and just generally act horrible. ... When he has had enough exercise I can see him heading towards the trash, tell him no, and he will stop and go lay down. ... So while he still has plenty of potential to be awful, he is completely manageable with enough exercise.

Perfectly explained!

And I agree with the "compulsion" description, because again, that frustrated energy has to find a way out.

But this is what I meant by "You'd know" (meaning the people on this thread; obviously, much of the dog-owning world does not know, or does not yet know).

this is a good topic. i feel terrible most days because I know i am not excersizing my dog as much as she needs it. yes shame on me.

i would not MIND having a high energy dog if I could do things with it to burn off that energy. unfortunately with my dog, I can NOT take her to a dog park. I can not take her to do agility. I cannot ride her on the bike down the street (even though I did this at my brother's place when I was down there - but it's a lot harder in the city).

in fact, going anywhere in public, where there may be other dogs is hard for us.

so what does this leave us? I cannot fit a treadmill in my apt. this leaves me to either 1. move, 2.rehome, 3. not give her what she needs. i know many of you have given us some ideas as to what we can do (practice obedience, inside and on walks, etc). but it just never seems like enough