Walking the dog in old age

Could you get an electric scooter to go out on?
If not getting her used to being with a dog walker is really the only option.

The Cinnamon Trust has volunteers who will walk dogs. I appreciate the added difficulty of introducing a reluctant, reactive dog.
Can you afford a well qualified dog walker who would visit get to know your dog and find quiet areas to walk the dog. A qualified behaviourist/trainer could help you work out ways to entertain your dog. I wrap kibble in a big tea towel rolling it, the dogs get their food by working for it. Or hide it in the kitchen or garden so the dog hunts, using its nose. Many mental activities interest and tire them

I sympathise, life happens and can change things. Dogs don’t ‘need’ off lead ball chasing though of course enjiy it. On a tough note, have you considered rehoming? I did consider it after a fracture meant I couldn’t walk my big lab who became reactive. We got through it but it’s tough

Well, your dog, and you, both need to give up the idea she can refuse to go out with anyone else. Are you using an extending lead?

She needs to be taken out for solo walks, on a short one metre lead, by an experienced dog walker.

Dog reactivity ? Just tell the walker to stay in quiet areas well away from all other dogs.

The only other alternative is to rehome the dog.

Am afraid another person walking the dog seems to be the only thing I can think of, don’t write it off, look at what services are available locally, ring round a few and explain your circumstances, am pretty sure that a good dog walker will have walked dogs similar to yours before and be able to manage your dog without incident.

A dog walker who is experienced is the obvious answer, they could take the dog to a secure dog park or field. It doesn’t come cheap.
Or you could find your nearest “doggy day care” they usually collect and bring back your dog to your house.
Stimulus needs to be not be running and chasing a ball every day either. To be put for a lead walk with plenty of sniffs is every bit as valuable. There are some good suggestions here and you could also ask at your vets who will certainly have details of what is available in your area.

Would you be able to go with someone( maybe a dog walker or a friend) they could hold the lead and do all the physical things, throwing a ball etc, it would maybe build confidence in your dog, and maybe eventually be confident to go with the dog walker without you…definately as someone suggested, The cinnamon trust is worth contacting.

I joined something called 'Borrow my Doggy' several years ago, and found a lovely young woman who comes once or twice a week to take my energetic dog out, and even has him at her home when I need to go to family events where I cant take him. It's voluntary, she does it because she's not in a position to have a dog of her own at the moment. Through Borrow my Doggie you can choose someone who can take the time to get to know your dog and his ways before taking him out on their own.

I read of someone who adopted a rescue dog which was too scared to go out and was extremely distressed if forced to do so. The owner decided to give up on walks and instead to have plenty of play sessions and mental stimulation and the dog was found to be perfectly fit on this regime. For example you could send the dog out of the room and hide their favourite toy and then get them back in and tell them to find it. You can get purpose made puzzles games. If your garden is self contained you could throw a ball to fetch. Stimulation is the key.

If you use Facebook there are several groups that discuss ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated, such as Canine Enrichment Ideas, and Canine Enrichment and Brain Games. Brain challenges tire them, I use lots of their suggestions with my very active terrier. Why not post your dilemma there and see what ideas members come up with.

Thankyou all so much. I shall look deeper into alternatives as we can’t walk as we always have done.

We have self contained field/ dog exercise area in our local area, you can hire them for £10 and hour, and sit on a bench whilst your dog runs around, explores the equipment, maybe that could be something you could do once or week, might help.

Some great ideas on here I'm also benefiting from, thanks everyone.

Defo a scooter, It seems you, like me are declining in the walking area. It will benefit you in the future to.

Do you have a garden? After each knee surgery, whilst unable to walk well for a bit, I throw balls for them to chase running round.

I share a dog with my partner who walks her each day. He also takes her back to his garden for a run around as it’s bigger than mine. When out and about he makes sure she does lots of sniffing; I read that sniffing actually uses up more energy than running; she only has kibble for supper but I might spread it around the house so she has to sniff it out. When I realised my mobility was getting much worse I considered getting a mobility scooter so I could take her out. A friend of mine lost both of her legs decades ago due to bad circulation and she has been in a motorised wheelchair ever since and she has always had dogs. We do take Winnie to enclosed fields sometimes as they are springing up all over the place but the wet weather means that they tend to be too soggy; as a sighthound we don’t want her slipping when she does her zoomies.

People can underestimate what giving up a dog means and how it impacts many people. Dogs bring many known and unknown benefits esp to older people.

If your helth is not so good, it's likely your dog is extremely valuable to you for your health. Could you build up your mobility again with your dog?

Watermeadow, try not to re-home if at all possible. An 8 year old is very settled with you and approaching middle age when less vigourous exercise is necessary.
Training dogs tricks where they have to think is more tiring than just walking. There are many good You Tube videos - eg Kikopup.
Of course your dog also needs adequate exercise. Is there a secure field near you? These are springing up all over the place now and if someone, a neighbour with a dog your dog likes or a family member could regularly drive you both there, your dog could be free there a couple of times a week.

Perhaps get a dog walker - or a neighbour who you could pay and would trust with your dog - to regularly walk your dog singly and on a lead? A good dog walker would know how to handle reactive dogs.
If you went along at the start then turned back after a short while? Would your dog accept that?

Watch "He Rescued A Dog. Then The Dog Rescued Him - NPR" It's amazing.
I wish you all the very best. Don't give up, you can find a way.

butterandjam

Well, your dog, and you, both need to give up the idea she can refuse to go out with anyone else. Are you using an extending lead?

She needs to be taken out for solo walks, on a short one metre lead, by an experienced dog walker.

Dog reactivity ? Just tell the walker to stay in quiet areas well away from all other dogs.

The only other alternative is to rehome the dog.

It’s easy to say ‘ stay away from other dogs’ but, in my experience unsupervised dogs can suddenly appear from nowhere with their owners then pointing out that ‘ they’re friendly’ or, your dog is only being reactive because you keep it on a lead . As for rehoming the dog, just because the OP has limited mobility why should she rehome a dog that she loves? Going out for walks isn’t the most important thing for our dogs; being loved is far more important. Imo

How big is your garden and does your dog “fetch” 2 or 3 10 minute sessions a day of ball throwing and fetch can really make a difference.

Also, I’m with the others, solo dog experienced dog walker.

Do you have any enclosed runs near you? We have some near us and they have been great when I’ve not been feeling good. I book online for 30 mins to an hour and we have the large secure field to ourselves. It has agility things in it but sometimes just sitting and using a ball thrower to entertain him is enough.
As others have said, it maybe that your dog just has to get used too walking with someone else. They would probably come around to the idea quite quickly. The only other alternative is rehoming, which would be upsetting for both of you. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

Our dog loves running on our treadmill

I use a secure dog field, your dog can run free and play. Go with another local person and their dog, they'll entertain each other

Sorry just read tge reactive part! Going alone would still work

Just to give you my experience. I live with my sister and my slightly reactive spaniel would never walk with her but having recently had a hip replacement and him not being walked, he decided he would go with her. Could a dog walker visit you and get to know your dog before attempting to walk ? Also my dog has attended scentwork classes and if you hide treats in a snuffle mat or around the house they get nose tired very quickly as it works their brain, you could give that a go.

My dog was slightly reactive to some dogs when I first got him from a rehoming centre. I made him worse through becoming more and more nervous. I employed an experienced dog walker who never had any trouble with him and very soon he wasn't reactive when I took him out either. An experienced dog walker is the way to go I'm sure. They get to take out all sorts of different behavioural dogs and should know how to deal with it. Talk to them and I'm sure you'll be reassured.