Rita has a summer schedule and a winter schedule and this week, we seem to have switched from the winter to the summer schedule.
Winter means she voluntarily goes out first thing in the morning, last thing at night. I will take her out a couple of times during the day but she rarely asks to go out. The trips are super quick .. sometimes barely getting off the driveway.
Summer means we go out at least 10 times a day and we walk completely around the house twice and make other passes around the yard. It’s not unusual for us to be out half an hour . . twice an hour! 🙂 That doesn’t give me much time for anything else. I know she loves being out in the sunshine but it doesn’t matter if I’m in the middle of stitching, or cooking or vacuuming . . when she says she has to go out, I have to stop and take her because I want her to always know the importance of telling me when she has to go out.
I was thinking about her another pet playpen for outside. I wouldn’t put it on the ground because of bugs and snakes but I wouldn’t mind putting it on the deck. That way she could spend a little time outside. Vince said there’s no shade out there and he doesn’t want to leave her in the sun and I don’t want her thinking it’s ok to go to the bathroom on the deck (because the patio is below it) and outside is probably outside to her so I don’t think she would grasp that she shouldn’t go to the bathroom out there.
I’ll spend some time thinking about this . . I’d love to have a way for her to spend some time outside.
Rosalie says
You will need to put a cover on the playpen just in case a hawk spots her.
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks! I hadn’t thought of that.
Joyce says
In a couple of weeks, it will be Vince’s job to take her out a gajillion times a day…:)
Judy Laquidara says
He will take her out some but if he’s just come in with her, he’ll tell her no. I never tell her no because what IF she really has to go. Of course, she knows I never say know and I’m sure a lot of those trips are quite unnecessary but I’m pretty easy and she knows it.
pat says
Just think Judy that is good exercise walking her .
I have dashound and a chihuahua in and out all day and night.
I figure i have to go alot during the night and day so they do too.
Judy Laquidara says
I definitely don’t go out with her at night. She stays in a confined space “doggie play fence” and I put puppy pads on the floor so on the rare occasions that she can’t hold it, it doesn’t damage the wood floors.
Sandi B says
My brother and sister in law had something like this. (I’m a member if you want me to order it and have it shipped to you.)
Lucky Dog Pet Resort Kit 4’x 4′ with Sunbrella Roof Cover https://www.costco.com/lucky-dog-pet-resort-kit-4'x-4'-with-sunbrella-roof-cover.product.100755611.html
Judy Laquidara says
That’s nice! Thanks for the offer. I ended up order more of a playpen thing that has an attached cover and we can take that with us when we go to visit my uncle because Rita doesn’t get along with his dogs.
Sandi B says
That sounds perfect!
Donna in KS says
We aren’t on a summer schedule here yet! Wishing!!
Karen says
We have a long light weight chain with a gizmo (scientific word) that screws into the ground. We make sure it’s long enough to give her some walking around room but not long enough to get wrapped around a tree. We can put it in a spot that gives her both sun and shade.
Judy Laquidara says
With her being blind and with other dogs that could be loose around here, that’s not something I would do.