Laziness and Exercise
I have read all kinds of info about keeping doggies nice and cool because they can overheat and I do keep Rheba cool...a/c. I always give her lots of water. She is amused by an ice cube for a few minutes then leaves it lay on the carpet (never on the tile). I thought about getting a kiddie pool and keeping her busy outside and allowing her to get in the pool except it takes so much to dry her afterwards. Pool time would only be if there is excessive grooming time available (above the regular brushing time). I was watching a rerun of the Dog Whisperer and he mentioned how dogs will develop funny eating habits if they don't get enough exercise. Guess what...Rheba is doing all kinds of funny things with her food. During the cooler weather in FL, I walked her daily. She in turn ate her food so quickly that she burped almost every time she finished her food. I now look at burping and dogs so differently. Now that she isn't walking outside as much, the food issues have started. I have tried to run around the house with her but of course the house only has so much running space. She isn't amused by tennis balls but for a couple of minutes. She loves cuddly stuffed animals. She loves her Kong with a cookie in it. Notice, nothing that I have listed involves true, good, exercise. Now that my long drawn out story has bored you...how do I get more exercise for Rheba so she isn't such a lazy sleepy slob!? (...but I love that lazy, sleepy, slob more than anything else in the world...except my husband ties for first with her!) haha I also understand that Rheba is just one of those laid back sheepies I don't want her to turn into a Old American Sheepdog (American's are viewed as lazy)...I want her to be an Old English Sheepdog (maybe the English are more active) Please help Angela |
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Hi, she sounds wonderful  I would try & get her a kiddie pool or maybe keep her hair short. I did see at a dog show where they had this thermal cover, that might help.  |
| You mentioned the dog whisperer, have you thought about putting Rheba on a treadmill (obviously under supervision!). We recently bought one but I love it so much I'm worried about getting the dogs on it. However, our neighbors have a Jack Russell and a lab and both boys get on it (though the JRT does run away from it at first). Might be a way to get her "walking" without dealing with the heat. Also, you may be able to find a used one at a garage sale or for sale in the newspaper or on Craig's List. Good luck. |
| I love the idea of a treadmill. I do not have one right now but I would love to get one. I see 2 problems
1. My husband would take a lot of convincing to make a purchase like a treadmill...FOR THE DOG! (but she is my princess) 2. Have you ever seen a dog "flip you the bird?" Rheba may be the first! I would love to try that if I had a tredmill. Thank you! |
| Ben has been on a treadmill since he was a pup. A friend of mine shows Goldens - she is responsible for our getting one. Make sure it has the longest walking surface possible, so all 4 feet fit on it.
I stand beside him as he walks and adjust the speed as needed. He has learned that the 3 beeps mean it is time to walk. And he can step off when he is ready. |
| Can you walk her at night when it's cooler? Michigan gets evil, evil Florida style humidity and our hot days are stifling, too, so I can relate. Clyde is also lazy but tolerates the heat well. My Komondor is the one I have to worry about. He's so dense that I have to make sure he doesn't overheat but he loves being outside. I found that just going out after dark helps them a lot. We also have a dog door so they go in and out as they wish when we're home so they can come in and cool off then go out when they're ready. |
| Do you have freecycle in your area? That might be a good resource |
| We walk Bailey early in the morning, before we go to work. This is AZ, so it's still warm at 6am, but at least the sidewalks are cooler and we don't have to worry about his paws burning.
Here's another idea that's popular in AZ this time of year - take her out to the PetSmart or another dog friendly store (Home Depot). You can walk around the store for a while and work on obedience in the air conditioning. |
| I am going to try to walk Rheba at night. It is considerably hotter. I know what you mean about MI. I grew up in MI and YES it does got hot. I may actually be in MI in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll see if she acts any differently when we are up there.
What is freecycle? |
| My Sheepie and I live in Jacksonville and have the same issues with the heat. I exercise mine daily in the cool of the day (ie morning or late evening) during the summer and during the day in late fall or winter. During the summer, I keep his hair very short and limit exercise to 20 or 30 minute periods. I usually run with him in the morning 1.5 (sometimes more) miles or so every other day and walk with him at least 20-30 (often way more than that) minutes in the cool of the evening.
Might I suggest a leisurely morning or evening walk of 15-20 minutes 3-4 days per week for starters (dependent on age and physical limitation of course)? You could also trim the hair to about 1/2 inch (where I try to keep my dogs coat during the summer...he loves it and is so much more active when the coat is shorter in this torrid climate) a kiddie pool would be a great idea as well! I have found that if you make exercise short and less strenuous at the onset and keep it fun (hey sheepies love fun!) then interest and stamina will build in a short time. There are some dog parks in the Jacksonville area (Dogwood is my favorite as it is off leash) which will allow for your sheepie to play with other dogs as well. Sheepies are highly social and you may find that your dog will reluctantly leave the park as they do not want to part with new found friends. Another good idea for the weekend. My dog loves the beach and most beaches in Jax. are dog friendly (bring some bags though just in case) and make great venues for little weekend or afternoon strolls. Something about the beach makes for great fun (and a little cooling off though make sure they don't dring the salt water yuk). Finally, I would start out in short increments, keep it simple, not to strenuous, remain consistent, intersperse fun trips and new things to do, and you will be amazed at how fast your couch potato transforms into a different and more active dog. Your dog will love the attention (remember they love being with you!) and will reward you with many cold nosed thank you's
Best wishes! PS I would avoid exercise for 1.5 hours after eating and maybe not feed the sheepie for 45 minutes or so after exercise. And I have found that belching (not a good sign for sheepies who are prone to gastric torsion) may be precluded if not eliminated by smaller meals throughout the day. |
| I actually love doing all of thoses things you listed. I had Rheba out at the beach one other time with her 2 sheepie cousins and we had a blast. I used to run with her and she would last about a mile or so then she would slow dramatically. I got her clipped back in March or so. She has been growing since then. I wanted to let her grow out some just because I haven't had her that long. I usually keep her quite short.
I haven't ever been out to the dog parks because I heard a couple of people say that their dogs got sick because of other dogs that were sick and their dog picked up and "explosive bum" or "volitile vomiting." Is that true or not. I would love to bring her out there because she is very social and loves being around other dogs. Hopefully that would really tickle her fancy! haha The first time I tried to run with Rheba, she clearly told me that she didn't want to run. I was keeping and good pace and encouraging her. She finally had enough. She stopped dead in her tracks. It was about 530 in the morning and thank heaven nothing was around us. THe leash flew out of my hands and back at her. She didn't move a muscle. She wanted me to understand that it was too early and it was NOT time for running. Later I learned that she was a little more likely to run if it was afternoon or evening time. Gosh, she can be stubborn although typically listens very well. Gotta love her. Does anyone have a typical time that they go out to the dog parks in Jax? |
| You wouldn't happen to be going to NW Michigan? I spent a lot of time in Traverse City (that is nice!) and just love the area. Now that would be the perfect place for an Old English Sheepdog to live! |
| And I was going to mention my friend in FL walks here OES around 5:30 a.m.........guess Reba isn't a morning girl. |
| I would try walking, not running, for starters and would do it when it is cool for at least 4-5 times per week. She will run after about three weeks...if properly urged. The main thing is to keep up consistency and exercise as much as possible.....increasing the distance in an incremental manner....
Most Old English Sheepdogs are "hard wired" to chase/herd and as such will veer in an unsuspecting fashion toward fast moving objects or other animals when walking and especially when running. Cars, cats, and anything out of the ordinary may rate a lunge, and certainly some loud sheepie barks...that is normal and is not a real problem as it disappears (to a degree) over time and familiarity. They are just living out a few hundred years of breeding and, for me anyways, is a good gauge of true heredity. Good training, BTW will obviate, most but not all of this behavior. A true OES will love exercise and the time spent with you in doing so....when one sits down though, in a walk or run, it has had enough or has some other need that needs immediate addressing. This really is not rocket science and only requires that you spend the time to get to know the limits, peculiarities, and sillyness (they are so funny!) of your specific OES. Most are really unique, highly independent and will love the attention. My dog just loves the attention and will sit down in a long run if he gets really tired. Then will jump up in a minute when he has had his say about the endeavor. Walking your OES is a good start and should provide the results you desire...I would start out incrementally, hydrate the dog if the walk goes beyond 20 minutes, and just figure it out from there. Good luck! |
| i also live in fla and have the in house blues with all my fur kids i try and walk them real early in the morning |
| Rheba and I walked/ran today. She got a few sprints in our little adventure. It was about 7-something when we left. We were out for about 20-30 minutes. She enjoyed our jaunt. She came home and had some water, an ice cube and is as flat as a rug on the tile.
Oh let me also get something clear...she is NOT a couch potato...she is a Couch SWEET Potato. haha
If my trip to Michigan pans out, I will be going to the Detroit area. (I think someone asked earlier) Traverse City is a great place in the Summer. It is also a great place to stay away from in the winter. They have that cold nasty stuff called...snow! 
I really appreciate everyone's help and support. |
ARTabone wrote: Rheba and I walked/ran today. She got a few sprints in our little adventure. It was about 7-something when we left. We were out for about 20-30 minutes. She enjoyed our jaunt. She came home and had some water, an ice cube and is as flat as a rug on the tile.
Oh let me also get something clear...she is NOT a couch potato...she is a Couch SWEET Potato. hahaIf my trip to Michigan pans out, I will be going to the Detroit area. (I think someone asked earlier) Traverse City is a great place in the Summer. It is also a great place to stay away from in the winter. They have that cold nasty stuff called...snow! I really appreciate everyone's help and support. Hey, are you going to be in the Detroit area on August 4? We're having an OES picnic and you're welcome to join us, Let me know! Jill |
| I don't know my exact dates for MI yet but I will let you know if I am going to be there at that time. |
Great job! I thought of you guys today when walking/running my sheepdog....if only he will stop lunging at cars and kitty cats! The other night we went outside to do business early (it was early morning, just before sunup, and the grass was wet with dew) Dog sees cat, lunges, and my footing just left me...this was a "Kodak moment" as my dog dragged me a bit till I could get up...glad no one witnessed this incident!  He came back towards me and stated to bark at the cat....like, let's go!
Guess the obedience training went out the window! Still picking the grass out of my teeth (LOL) what would we do without our OES?
Glad for you both! |
7skydive wrote: Still picking the grass out of my teeth (LOL) Apparently we'd be either in or out of the market for dental floss. I'm not quite sure which. what would we do without our OES? |
| I am so confused. I think I have an elderly woman dressed up as a sheepdog. I keep reading all of these posts about chasing cats, barking at the wind, going after a flipping piece of grass....Rheba does none of that. She looks like a sheepdog, she smells like a sheepdog, she requires grooming like a sheepdog but she doesn't bark (except if someone knocks at the door), she loves to lounge, she does stay by my side (her only real sheepie trait) but come on. I know I am partial because she is mine but she is such a little princess. I am thinking that I should clone her. Rhebas for everyone! haha |
| Barney isn't overly active either. He pretty much only barks when the doorbell rings too. And he prefers to be indoors than outdoors. So I know what kind of sheepie you have! |
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