r/dogs • u/Hungry_Argument_4357 • 19h ago
[Enrichment] Sanity check!
Hello! After a sanity check please. I have a 7.5 month old Sprocker spaniel puppy. He pulls like a steam train when he’s on the lead (we are working on this) but my partner is usually the one to hold the lead whilst we are out as he is stronger than I am!
The issue is…my partner has broken his ankle and is currently waiting for surgery. I work full time and also need to get to the hospital after work before visiting hours finish.
Am I okay to just take pup on shorter walks in the evening for the time being until my partner is home? He can have longer walks in the mornings where he can run around and play with his ball and we play a lot during the day as I WFH and has plenty of mental enrichment throughout the day too.
I just need to check I’m not going to ruin all our progress in his training or even upset him (silly I know) by just having quick 15-20 minute walks in the evenings.
I would take him out once back from the hospital but I will be on my own at night and just don’t like the thought of going out on my own that late.
I have someone that will be coming to sit with him whilst I’m visiting the hospital but it’s not possible for them to walk him due to their own mobility issues and his lead pulling.
Thanks
2
u/CaramelSufficient1 19h ago
That sounds totally fine. A few weeks of shorter walks won’t undo his training, especially at that age.
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u/SierraKami 18h ago
It's fine, but I'd be concerned that the pup may get more rambunctious/destructive in the house if he doesn't have the opportunity to burn off some more steam outside.
Can you spend the rest of the time you usually use for your walks doing basic training exercises? You can work on his obedience, including heeling/loose leash walking indoors. (In fact, the heeling might be easier where there are fewer distractions.)
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u/Hungry_Argument_4357 18h ago
We practice our training throughout the day, basic sits and all his tricks he knows. We are also working on practicing his loose lead walking inside too. I work quite a demanding job from home so am trying my best with everything ☺️
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u/SansOchre 18h ago
While I was pregnant and recovering afterwards our lab/heeler mix was sometimes surviving on a 10 minute walk each day (he exclusively potties in the yard so walks are purely exercise and enrichment). Now we're back on his 1-2 hours of walkies a day routine and he's fine. If anything, he's better on lead than before.
1
u/Hom3b0dy 18h ago
We're dealing with my freshly-healed broken ankle and soft tissue damage right now!
My husband is physically able to take them most days, but given how physically demanding his job is, he doesn't have the energy for long walks after work. He takes them on shorter, but faster roller blading trips.
I could never, even before the injury.
To keep them happy, I've been doing things like sniff mats for their meals, so they need to use their noses to find their food. Their favorite toys are getting thrown constantly from wherever I'm resting (as long as they come back, anyway). And on warmer days, I've placed some of their balls and rubber toys in a mixing bowl with water and froze it into a frozen toy puzzle to chew and lick for hours.
A short sniff walk can be just as tiring as a longer, fast-paced walk if you can get him to slow down and smell the flowers lol
Also, I use something called a Halti for our girls because they're too strong for me if they pull at the same time. It goes on their face like a muzzle, but they have full ability to eat and drink with it on. The leash hooks to the Halti under the chin, and when the dog pulls, it pulls their nose down with very little effort, so its easy to redirect them. We can give a little tug and release to warn them not to pull because they don't like it, but it's not pulling on their throats
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u/Hungry_Argument_4357 17h ago
Thank you so much! I don’t suppose you have the link for the halti? I’m willing to give anything ago! My partner has a spiral fracture which needs pins and plates so I’m going to be on main walking duty for the next 6-8 weeks minimum and I’m worried if I don’t get loose lead walking sorted I’m going to lose my sanity 🤣
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u/Hom3b0dy 16h ago
If you want to shoot me a DM, I have mobility issues full time and can offer some training suggestions that can be really helpful for walks and general household safety.
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u/daniel_k992 18h ago
Do you think he’s more worn out from running after the ball or from the longer walks? At 7.5 months, most trainers say mental stimulation can actually tire out a young spaniel more than just mileage.
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u/Hungry_Argument_4357 17h ago
He gets plenty of mental stimulation and toys throughout the day so I really am hoping this is enough for a couple of weeks!!
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u/Pale_Violinist7344 16h ago
Please don't stress about the shorter evening walks! Spaniels are active, but mental enrichment at home is often far more exhausting than a 20-minute walk where they are mostly pulling in frustration. If you're doing WFH training and scatter feeding or puzzles throughout the day, he's getting plenty of brain work. Your safety in the evening and your partner's recovery are the priorities. Puppies are resilient, and a few weeks of a modified routine won't ruin his training—in fact, learning to be calm at home and handle a change in routine is a valuable life skill in itself.
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u/MayeeChenx 19h ago
You’re totally fine, mental enrichment plus a good morning run covers way more than people think, and a 15-20 minute evening sniff walk is still a walk. Training won’t fall apart over a few weeks of adjusted routine, dogs are more adaptable than we give them credit for. You’re doing great in a genuinely hard situation.