Quote: jenn verrier

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.

My dog is also somewhat dog reactive.
Having Yote at a faster pace is really helpful with this for me, I don't run but I walk fast enough that he is trotting and he gets in the zone.

You can also take her to a playground during off hours to do some agility type work. There aren't many dogs or kids around at 10 pm or 6 am.

What about swimming or even just running in shallow water (I have one who will not swim) since it gives more resistance. When Yote swims I swim with him wearing a life jacket with him on a long line. He isn't trustworthy off leash in an open area, ever.

Do you have a car? If so you could drive out of the city and bike with her on rural roads.

I've found that dogs are creatures of habit. All things being reasonably equal in 'life style', owner and dog should get along fine in the end, that is, without putting oneself out on a limb committing to more than you really wanted.
Many of us here have working line dogs, and we all know (especially when they are young) if the daily routine changes for one reason or another, we WILL pay for it later in the day.

I think the key is to look to a dog that fits your expected 'daily' activity. Set the routine.....and have fun!

Randy

As an addendum to my previous post.

If one does happen to find oneself 'in over your head' with a dog and you can't commit to a LONG TERM change in life style, then one should be an adult and own up to your responsibilities.....find an appropriate home as soon as possible.
By the simple act of owning the dog, you're responsible for the well being of one of the few noble animals of our world.

Randy

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: doug alcorn

I had a friend tell me "there are only a few breeds of dogs that running is actually good for them. it really places too much stress on their hearts." This seems like something totally made up to me.

Sounds totally made up to me too.

In particular, I would ask this friend about dogs bred for working or hunting: that would encompass many many breeds (not "a few").

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Husky-Huskies-2538/Husky-running.htm points out the cautions, but also pretty much makes the mincemeat of your friend's statement that you and everyone else here knows it is.

Age, condition (and conditioning), etc. Several things to think about.

Although I believe Alaskan Huskies, while not a breed officially, are far more common in the Iditarod and distance races than Siberians are. Otherwise, a good article.

Hearts are muscle. Baring a specific heart defect, the heart will respond to exercise as muscle.

 Quote:

Does anyone know if there have been any studies on dogs' life expectancy as jogging companions?

The miniature poodle that I grew up with lived to be 22 yo ... her DVM attributed her long life to (partially) the jogging and hiking I did with her when I was a kid/teenager (she was a year younger than me). That's not exactly documented research though ...

 Quote:

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.

I've ended up in a kind of weekly (as opposed to daily) exercise schedule with my dogs. As long as we get out 3 or 4 days out of 7 for major outings, and long, mellowing neighborhood walks on the other days plus some sort of training each day we're all good! It's nice because we don't have a rigid schedule that I have to abide by no matter what. If I have a long day at work on Tuesday, I can just take a nice, easy walk with the dogs and my Ipod that night. I just have to make sure that we get out and do something substantial the next day ... such as an 11 mile ride at a nearby mountain bike trail, or if it's the weekend a day hike somewhere in north GA (this is as much for me as the dogs ).

Kobi is the highest energy dog (I'd say an 8ish) and Porter's close behind. I had to do a lot of pack structure with Kobi when he was an adolescent If he started being stupid just because he was bored or excited he was put away for a while to chill (keeping in mind that I know he's gotten enough exercise/stimulation that day), I consider this learning self-control ... a big thing for me with my guys. If he kept it together reasonably well for whatever the age, he was allowed to lay on various dog beds throughout the house in central locations, i.e. got to hang out with us and the whole pack (a nice reward for a GSD). Same thing with Porter, but I didn't have to do as much with him ... he's a total mama's boy

When I was sick with strep throat the week before last, I relied heavily on my treadmill for the dogs (as I have today because of storms). That, and I camped out on my front porch some of the time so that we could all get some sunlight and the dogs could get some stimulation in the front yard. They all held out until I was well enough to take them for a walk to a park where they could just run buck wild. Otherwise I requested that they stay chill for me, I knew I would make it up to them later when I was better ... I mean come on, they've got a pretty good life otherwise! right?! Those are just the rules of this house required for my sanity ... meanwhile, the hyper 1 yo lab pup that I'm sitting for a friend is laying down at my feet, otherwise he'd go up for a bit (or rather on my feet. goodness, i hadn't realized how adorable labs are!)

So, yeah, I think that it's fair to tell a dog "enough" with the knowledge that they are getting whatever exercise is appropriate for that particular dog

 Quote: Michael_Wise

Take Turbo for example. 4 mile bike ride in the morning. 3-4 mile walk when I get off work. Out in the yard with me and the family playing fetch for 30 minutes to 2 hours.(Every day is different on the play time.) 2 days a week my wife is home so there is another 2-3 mile walk and more outside time with *some* fetch on those days.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

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.

Barring sled dogs, does anyone have a dog that either of these routines would be inadequate for?

If so, what do you do with them?

I'm trying to get an idea what a full 10 on energy level is.

My guess is, not having a dog I would consider a 10 (no matter how much he runs) is that 10s don't JUST need exercise. So they could get a good run in the morning and the evening, but they need to train and to WORK, outside of phsicality.

I would apply that to sled dogs as well, on what I know of them (I've taken a passing interest b/c what they do for their dogs is helpful for Luc, in terms of finding people who expect similar distances (often more, depending on the races they do) from their dogs. Except of course, their dogs are pulling and working in a team

I agree, when I think of a 10 I think of border collies and other true working dogs that just don't make suitable pets for most everyday people.

Yote is not a 10 by any means, I would rate him at about 8, with Loki being a 2.

Just to throw in my 2 cents worth. The reason for seeking more information on dog training is that one day I expect that I will benefit from havng the help of an assistance dog to get through my day. I would like to train my own. I am kind of a high energy person in a low energy body (fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis)so I really don't quite know where that puts me with dogs. Sometimes I have not met their exercise needs. I paid the price. So I had to get smart and find ways to exercise them without having the ability to keep up with them. Sometimes I have used the treadmill although I find that my dogs end up pooping on it (Yuck!). Games of fetch are helpful. The husky usually runs around the yard just for the pure joy of it (beautiful to see). And, in the winter we scooter with her as well. Somehow we found an equilibrium. They push me just enough I have just enough physical resources to meet their needs. I really do believe what Cesar Millan says about how you don't get the dog you want, you get the dog you need. That is how it has been with me. I do have to draw line with them on exercise. I am sure they could go farther if I could. But, they have grown used to me and accept my limits even if I don't give them everything they want. Maybe it is because we compromise?

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

My guess is, not having a dog I would consider a 10 (no matter how much he runs) is that 10s don't JUST need exercise. So they could get a good run in the morning and the evening, but they need to train and to WORK, outside of phsicality.

Oh yeah! Definitely!

I thought the routines I quoted had that in there, but it was just a passing mention of training in one of the quotes. Training has been in the equation the whole time, I just failed to stress it as much since I guess physical exercise is mainly what is on the brain here.