Weather and Exercise

[MyPemCharlie]

Charlie and I took "one-third" of a walk today. There was a small break in the rain with more on the way, so I put on a water-resistant windbreaker, grabbed the umbrella and headed out with Charlie. We got a few blocks out and it started raining again so we walked back home in pouring rain.

On the way home, I was thinking about those of you who live in areas with long, cold snowy winters, or mild areas but with frequent rain. What do you do when the weather's not being very people-friendly? Bundle up and go walk anyway? Let the dog play alone for a bit in the backyard? Play indoor games? I really have a lot of sympathy for you!

We enjoy about 90% "great" days with sunshine and mild (to hot) temperatures here. I'll admit to being a bit of a weather "wimp" on the 10% of days that it's either cold or rainy or both (though Charlie doesn't mind near as much as I do). Charlie definitely "acts up" on days when I keep him inside more due to weather.

[pat_m]

We're out there basically at any time.

We tend to go to the beach to run because the of the snow on the ground. I do cut path for Byron and Fergie to run in around the yard

The only conditions we tend not to go out in is in high winds/cold temp. Wind chills bellow zero will stop us - at least me.

But doesn't stop the dogs... They will go out in those conditions to play ball.

[Louwants]

It weather like we just had, where we were dumped with about 20 inches of snow, Duncan is just like a kid that has been couped up too long. He whines more to go out, you take him out to play, and he doesn't want to go through the snow drifts. We do toss in the house and play a little tug with him, but it's not really enough. With luck, enough will melt today for us to do toss outside. With the problem I'm having with my foot, long walks are out of the question. And my doctor says it could take months for me to heal, IF I do exactly what I have to do.

[MyPemCharlie]

Charlie's the same way as Duncan. If I take him out but it's too cold for me to stay out with him, he won't play by himself. We normally play together about 2 hours a day, plus our 1 hour walk. He doesn't want to play alone. But he definitely whines, barks, and makes funny growly noises in the house when we're not on our normal routine. All that energy to burn!

Pat makes about the best justification I've heard for having more than one dog. If Charlie had a playmate, he probably would exercise without me when the weather's bad. Until I raise "this one" though, I'm miles away from adding a dog. Can I "rent-a-dog" on cold days? ...just kidding...

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

Charlie's the same way as Duncan. If I take him out but it's too cold for me to stay out with him, he won't play by himself. We normally play together about 2 hours a day, plus our 1 hour walk. He doesn't want to play alone. But he definitely whines, barks, and makes funny growly noises in the house when we're not on our normal routine. All that energy to burn!

Pat makes about the best justification I've heard for having more than one dog. If Charlie had a playmate, he probably would exercise without me when the weather's bad. Until I raise "this one" though, I'm miles away from adding a dog. Can I "rent-a-dog" on cold days? ...just kidding...

Well, if you lived closer.....

Peggy

[Michael Romanos]

A Corgi can get use to walking and playing in the rain - even quite heavy or consistent downpour. And 'clean' rain is great for their skin and coat. So don't turn back next time on the account of your Corgi. Just remember to give your Corgi a good rub down/dry off when return to home or car.

[MyPemCharlie]

It was definitely me that wimped out. When Momma gets damp and chilled, Momma and Charlie go home. Charlie would have walked the rest of the way, I'm sure. A few hours later the rain broke and we got in a good walk.

It just made me wonder what folks who have a lot more bad weather days than we have do to keep their Corgi happy.

[LaRogue]

It was definitely me that wimped out. When Momma gets damp and chilled, Momma and Charlie go home.

I'm the same. I have to walk Pip no matter what the weather. I put on alot of clothes, including long johns, and we go. Like you, the time spent outside depends on me. Rain and snow, I can handle, the cold and whipping wind is what does me in. When I start not feeling body parts, it's time to go in! Luckily, I don't live in the frozen tundra, like some of the others on the list. Our weather changes often, so when it's bad you don't have to wait long for a break.

I play with Pip indoors year round, but during the winter months, I do make an effort to play more with him inside. He also has a corgi girlfriend, she's one month older and owned by a neighboor. They have indoors playdates in the winter. I'm not sure it's the exercise, so much as keeping him occupied. Right now, I'm trying to teach him the names of his different toys. I think as long as you're doing something with them it helps. He also plays with his toys by himself.

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by MyPemCharlie

It was definitely me that wimped out. When Momma gets damp and chilled, Momma and Charlie go home

I'm with you. The dogs don't mind nearly as much as I do. I don't do cold well!

It just made me wonder what folks who have a lot more bad weather days than we have do to keep their Corgi happy.

You can play games in the house. Fetch, hide and seek (hide a small cookie, a piece of kibble or a toy and have them find it.)

Sorry, but I wasn't slogging through 2 feet of snow or down a long icy drive way to walk the dogs on a slushy, yucky road.

Peggy

[Cheetah]

During harsh winter months, I don't take the dogs on very many outside walks... it's mainly indoors, such as the pet stores etc. Dog Park is definitely out... too far away, too cold. Most outside time in the winter is spent playing in my yard, or my boyfriend's yard, or my mom's yard - you get the idea. And then there are indoor games. When the warm days roll back around, we are back outside a majority of the time lol...

[KetchikanCorgi]

It rains a lot here. I am going to make my corgis rain coats. The weather is horrible sometimes. I get sick of it, because our big dog (pyrenees) needs to walk no matter what. My daughter and I flip a coin when its really bad. The loser gets walk duty.