Everyday Systems

My wife and I purchased a German Shepherd pup about 3 weeks ago. The little turd is all teeth and fur at the moment. He does the shark thing on our shins, the "bump and bite..."

One of the "side affects" of the newest member of the family is taking him outside so he can exercise and get his bodily functions moving (which seem, at the moment to be carpet associated. ).

I think I have been out more on the last 3-4 weeks than I was all summer, especially if you count the Eurocup, Tour de France and Olympics.

But it's fun, we walk, wrestle and when he runs I get in a short windsprint. It's like being a kid again.

I suggest if it's feasible, get an active pet (I wanted a tortoise a few months ago...) and go have fun.

Over43 wrote:My wife and I purchased a German Shepherd pup about 3 weeks ago.

Awww, I love pups. Our dog is 4, and I get all gooey looking at his puppy photos.

I suggest if it's feasible, get an active pet (I wanted a tortoise a few months ago...) and go have fun.

Absolutely. Even at my most sluggish, I still take our dog out every day. He's part working dog, part golden retriever, so he needs at least one, preferably two, walks a day. If you have the time, dogs are a wonderful motivator - they LOVE to exercise

If it weren't for my dog, I'd probably get very little exercise! We go for a long walk twice a day and sometimes one or two shorter ones in between. I don't know how far we go, but we're usually out for 30 to 45 minutes. We often walk through a neighboring apartment complex (where I used to live) and there are many cul de sacs that we walk through. In addition there's a picnic area with a walking path around it, and we go around there, too.

Not just an option. Dogs need to go on walks every day! He's training you now.

My dog is a mixed breed and while we know there's some Chihuahua in her, we're not sure what else. I'm sure there's a herding dog in there. When she's really excited and wants me to take her out, she nips at my heels and points me towards the door. If I go the other direction, she gets in front of me and tries to turn me around.