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How long should you walk the dog?

websitebuilder • February 10, 2017

More than 15-20 minutes in the hot midday soon is wrong

A dog needs to get a good walk in at least once a day. Hopefully, most dog owners are aware of that need. It doesn't have to be a marathon but 15-20 minutes is ideal. This is a question as a dog walker I get all the time with initial inquiries. The stock answer is 20 minutes tor half an hour. The truth is, its up to the dog. Every dog is different, has different requirements, is used to a specific area to walk in, etc. The weather factors in too.

Some dogs have their big walk in the morning with their owner. Some owners, due to maybe an early work schedule, expect the dog walker to take that job over mid day (the busiest time of day for us). And, evening walks are a preference too. Even if you have a doggie door with a huge fenced in yard, a dog should have a daily walk if not two.

But if you've never walked your dog and at the age of 10 ask your new walker/sitter to take the dog out for a minimum of half and hour, several times a day its an unfairness to your dog and a realization your walker will come to learn soon. You may be paying more for the amount of time you are asking for when in fact you may just require the dog be let out for potty relief, a brief bit of exercise and some play. A visit from a good walker/sitter should be able to offer potty relief, walk the dog and make time for play as well and do it within 20-30 minutes.

30-45 minutes is WORKING your dog, not walking. Granted some dogs need to burn off more energy than others. But then, you may really need a dog RUNNER or visits to a dog park. Being honest about the care you really need for your pet with realistic expectations is a great gift you can give yourself - then you'll have a happy healthy dog at the end of the day.

By Lisa De Masi April 6, 2020
The Reality of Tick Borne Illness in our area October 2019 Living in South Jersey, you know there is a huge bug population like mosquitoes, fleas, spiders, ants and ticks. With the amount of deer we have gnawing at our hostas and prized plants in this area, deer ticks are one of the most feared - for you and your pet. Did you know there are over 200 species of ticks in the U.S.? Ticks can spread infectious diseases to humans and animals, including cats. Diseases like Lyme, Ehrlichiosis, Typhus and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (you don't have to live in the Rockies to get it!) and tick paralysis are transmitted through bacterium in the bite. In Lyme disease - carried specifically by the deer tick (otherwise known as the black-legged tick) the hallmark "bulls-eye" is a clear sign you have been bitten by an infected tick - but that only lasts in most cases about an hour. This explains why Lyme often goes unrecognized and undiagnosed. Plus its symptoms - fatigue, joint aches and pains, swollen glands, headache, chills and fever - mimic so many other illness symptoms - there is a lot to rule out! In Dogs, the effects are seen as listlessness, lack of appetite, stiff joints and muscles, as well as fever. Ehrlichiosis (carried by the american deer and the lone star tick) has similar symptoms but also includes nausea, diarrhea and fine, pinhead points of bleeding and in only 50% of the cases a flat rash. In dogs, symptoms include pain in the joints, fever vomiting, diarrhea, and possible nervous system disorders. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (wood and dog tick) for the most part is found in the northeast US - not where you'd think by its name - and mostly in children. Symptoms include chills, fever, nausea, hallucinations, confusion, extreme thirst, muscle pain, rash that starts at the ankles and wrists, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and light sensitivity. In dogs, it causes fever, sudden bleeding from the nose and/or in the stool, vomiting, loss of appetite, difficulty walking, swelling in the extremities, blood in the urine, often spots on the body that look purple or like bruises on the skin, and pain in the eyes. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can be contracted from March through October. Very often this is fatal for animals. There is hope for animals however with Lyme disease. A vaccine has been developed. Originally created for human use, it never quite got to that level (politics?)and is now only used for animals. It's about 80% effective and I'm sure every vet has a specific opinion on its efficacy. If there are ticks in your area, I would consult with a veterinarian to determine the best defense for your pet and you! The Reality is, once diagnosed , the are so many variables involved it is hard to say how you or your pet will be affected. The length of time you have had it, the severity of the disease, at what point medical intervention arrives; these are all factors has to how debilitating it is and how your body reacts to it. Also note that for us humans, there is a clinic in West Chester, PA that specifically and only deals with Lyme disease. Typical flea and tick season around here I'd say is April through October but I honestly keep prepared year round. We've just come off a very wet summer with the previous winter mild for the most part. I use products to keep the deer out of the yard and gardens faithfully. I also use lawn sprays that are not harmful to animals and humans but help to get rid of the insects. Makes an afternoon of being outside with your pet so much more enjoyable and safe!
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