I discovered something yesterday.
I had taken the day off to attend a memorial service for a beloved uncle of one of my SIL’s. The service was about an hour’s travel time from where I live and I knew when I got back I had errands to run to get ready for today’s cookout. I decided to walk the dogs early.
Like First Thing In The Morning Early.
I rolled out of bed after another night of tossing and turning and pulled on my hiking clothes, gathered up my equipment (treat bag, pepper blaster, poop bags, camera, cell phone and keys) and off we went.
We kept the walk at just about a half an hour, which put us back at the house right around 7:20 am. Twenty minutes after the dog’s scheduled feeding time. But I didn’t feed them. Oh no.
Because they are big dogs and both deep-chested, I worry about bloat. So I waited. Wondering how this was going to work with the food obsessed chocolate lab?
I added warm water to their necks and set them in the microwave to warm up. I made a pot of coffee, then I took a shower. When I came out of the bathroom Delilah was curled up on the bed.
Sleeping.
I got dressed, and walked out of the bedroom. Delilah followed me. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down to check out blogville.
Delilah curled up on the couch and went to sleep.
I got up, went into the kitchen and pulled the necks out of the microwave.
Nothing.
It wasn’t until I opened the pantry to get the Salmon Oil out that she meandered her way into the kitchen.
We played the ‘one strike, you’re out’ game (which she lost) and I put her in the crate.
By the time they actually got their breakfast is was almost an hour and a half late. And she had not bugged me the entire time.
My thought is this, if you have an active dog and typically take her out when you get home from work, consider changing it up and trying to get her out for a quick walk in the morning.
I’m thinking by changing it up, you’ve given them something else to think about.
What about your dogs, are they scheduled? Is there any way to incorporate some change into their routine?
Tomorrow I will share just what Delilah DID on our early morning walk. It’s a doozy.
That’s interesting, I’ve been thinking about the same thing today! We always go for our walks in the evening. As you know, she’s being rested just now but I decided I’d take her out this morning for a quick walk as I thought we would be less likely to bump into other dogs, it was cool AND she needed to burn off some energy. I was wrong – the cool weather had brought everyone out. I also took her out on Wednesday morning for the same reason (got it wrong then too). However, I’ve noticed that when I take her out for a good walk in the evenings she is pooped all night and it does her for most of the next day too. When I take her out in the morning she is active during the day and really active in the afternoons… very strange. This could also be because her walk wasn’t as long and I didn’t let her play with the other dogs that were out as much as she normally would.
That’s really great Jodi – except for the early morning thing….I am so not ever a morning person! But if you are, this might be your solution!!
I’ll be looking forward to reading about Delilah did! Our dogs are not on so much a time schedule but they sure do know about that routine and live by it–But when I do change it up from time to time, I see the looks of ‘what does she think she is doing?’ 🙂
Could it be that easy? Of course, I am not the one getting up extra early to take them for a walk… 🙂
I am purposely the anti-scheduler. As soon as Koly knows when the food is coming he loses his sh*t. If I can keep him guessing, I win all the time. Score one for the Mama.
Oh no. You’re not getting me out of bed that easy. >_> Nice try though.
I love to change it up to keep Haylie guessing. Saturday morning I actually woke up and go all excited to go hit some trails with Hay and I went into the bedroom and got my workout clothes on and still nothing, I sat and drank a cup of coffee and still nothing…. she was sound asleep with my husband for about 3 more hours…sigh – She is sooooo lazy compared to Fred. Fred was up before the roosters like me, haylie not so much, she is late to rise and early to bed 🙂
I’m an early riser (dawn) and like early morning walks. Fortunately, tall person is good to go (after a stimulating cup of Java) and we head off into the quiet, cool neighborhood. Lovely!
Sounds like you tired Delilah out so much on your walk that nap sounded good to her. 🙂
lol can’t wait to hear what she did!
I always go out running in the morning, I don’t mind if the time changes, I can be very patient, but when I know we’re going then I get excited – with food I can also be very patient, but as soon as Mum says Dinner I start licking my lips – yum yum 🙂
Wags to all
Your pal Snoopy 🙂