PlayTime with your Dog(s)

[incognitotoday]

I work from 8-5, come home, walk L2 for 45 mins +

We then come in and literally play fetch for 30 mins (my hallway in my house is long - they are small) so it works.

Then it is dinner time (them + me). And by then I want to sit and relax on the couch from a long day.

Linus is usually an independent player, and will play with his ball, Luci just wants to sit right.besides.me on the couch and is content; however, I feel this need to play with them all night long!

I am assuming it is my own guilt from them being at home all day.

I just wonder if they're bored at night, while I am relaxing.

Do you think it's healthy for a dog to just sit and lay and not have constant stimuli (provided that the routine I mentioned above is literally the daily occurrence in my house Mon-Fri)?

Can you tell the difference if your dog is satisfied or just bored?

Once Linus is done independently playing, he will sit and rest his little head on the ball just like this photo every.single.time! It makes me feel like he is bored.

Am I just being a nervous Nelly? Is it okay for him to have down time each night like this?

[secondhandscottie]

I think a 45+ minute walk and a half hour of fetch is fantastic! B usually gets a half hour walk and then he's ready to lay around for a while again. I think Linus and Lucy are both younger than B, but that much activity is probably plenty for them.

[bullygirl979]

I think you are being a nervous nelly too.

If a dog is bored then a lot of times they will get destructive or get into trouble. If your dog is sitting quietly, I would think they are pretty content.

[incognitotoday]

Thank you ladies. I know I am neurotic when it comes to them. I wasn't sure if them just sitting "content" was okay. Sounds, silly, but never had a pet growing up. These are my first and I am 35 y.o.

You are right, a bored dog becomes destructive. And thankfully, in these (night-time) instances, Linus doesn't become destructive. He just sits there with his head on the ball and stares at me. Sometimes, dipping into a nap or so, but not a deep sleep.

If "we" assume our dogs sleep a ton while we are out of the house, do you care if your dog is also sleeping/napping when you are watching TV during your downtime (after work)? Even though, they sleep fine through the night along side you?

[incognitotoday]

May 23, 2012 12:30:26 GMT -5 secondhandscottie said:

I think a 45+ minute walk and a half hour of fetch is fantastic! B usually gets a half hour walk and then he's ready to lay around for a while again. I think Linus and Lucy are both younger than B, but that much activity is probably plenty for them.

Luci is 5 and a half
Linus just turned 5

How old is B? I wish mine got pooped after a 45 min+ walk + fetch, but somehow, they STILL have a ton of energy. I think they will always be puppies!

[bullygirl979]

No, I don't really care if my dog naps when I am relaxing on my couch. I actually like it cause I use it for snuggle time. My dogs do not sleep with me.

[secondhandscottie]

May 23, 2012 13:00:40 GMT -5 incognitotoday said:

May 23, 2012 12:30:26 GMT -5 secondhandscottie said:

I think a 45+ minute walk and a half hour of fetch is fantastic! B usually gets a half hour walk and then he's ready to lay around for a while again. I think Linus and Lucy are both younger than B, but that much activity is probably plenty for them.

Luci is 5 and a half
Linus just turned 5

How old is B? I wish mine got pooped after a 45 min+ walk + fetch, but somehow, they STILL have a ton of energy. I think they will always be puppies!

B's 7. He was 4 when we adopted him and back then a 45 minute walk and a half hour of fetch wasn't anything - still had plenty of energy. He still has energy after his walks, but he's not bouncing off the walls. It could be our routine that makes him lay down after his walks too.

Walk in the park for about 30 minutes, drive home and then I start making dinner, which means that he lays on the rug in front of the sink to watch me cook. Sometimes we will play fetch after dinner for a little while, but not always. He's become a cuddle bug as he's gotten older, and is content to lay next to me on the couch in the evenings.

[corgilove22]

I can tell the difference in my pups if they are bored or content. They act like damn fools if they aren't properly excersised. They bark and get super destructive (well Molly does at least). When they sleep and are resting I know I did a good job of mentally stimulating them. All the corgis are crazy dogs so I feel no guilt when they lounge .

You are being a nervous Nelly...soak up the cuddles!

[incognitotoday]

Thanks ladies for the positive (encouragement) thoughts. And yes you're all right I'm a nervous Nelly!