You really shouldn't have been so ambitious when you knew very well that it had been a long while since you had taken the dog for a walk so far from home. I don't feel bad for you, but I do for your dog. #SorryNotSorry

Is a mile longer in the USA than the rest of the world? I often feel that way when I read about Americans having to walk a mile because they could not get driven some where.

A mile is FAR for an obese dog! I'm just starting to get back into shape after years of letting myself go (partly due to multiple back injuries, partly due to laziness) and a mile would be far for ME. A human who is NOT obese. Make it a point to exercise her every day...short periods at first, then build up as she gets more tolerant.

Maybe you shouldn't have a dog if you can't walk it regularly. That's animal abuse.

Taking a fat dog on a walk that long is a bad idea. Just like with people, they need time to get back into shape. Start with much shorter walks and get her exercise in other ways she enjoys at home and slowly make your walks longer and longer over time. Because you let her get fat, you are also increasing the wear and tear on her joints even without her walks. That extra weight is probably going to cause her problems in the future. Dogs should be kept lean (not skinny) and muscular, but most people seem to think food=love when that's just not true. Even the big heavy breeds like the mastiff breeds can be lean and muscular. My dogs are both solid muscle and can keep going and going and going and we do have people with chubby dogs constantly telling us our dogs are too skinny, but the fact is that most dogs in the US these days are overweight and it's what people are used to seeing so seeing a fit dog is a surprise to them that they don't understand. Many of them just have some chub, but so many are obese. Overfeeding your dog and letting it get fat is just bad dog ownership. Good on you for seeing and accepting that she is fat and doing something about it but remember that, just like humans, she can't just go out for long walks right out of the gate. She has to be worked up to it.

You're simply an animal abuser. You let your dog get so out of shape that it's causing physical harm. You don't have to hit an animal to abuse them, lack of care does that as well. The fact is simple. You feed too much and exercise too little. The dog is not a toy, or a privilege, it is an absolute responsibility and you are failing hard. Your dog should be taken to a rescue shelter.

You shouldn't start out with a walk that long for a dog that is overweight. A short jaunt around the block is good for getting your dog used to the physical activity. Eating is also a big part. Start feeding her a bit less or changing how often she eats or what she eats. The better she eats, the better she will feel and will have more energy for longer and more frequent walks.

if the dog is obese why would you walk more than a mile????

Watch out for the weight gain it can lead to a lot more health issues,legs and such can be pricey or extreem death. There is other ways to get your dog to be active if you don't want to walk him daily .Playing in the yard or bringing him to the dog park or at a friends with an other dog so they can let some energy out! If you think about it ,an obese person isn't going to run a marathon on her first day so neither will your dog. Just a small walk to start probs would make progress, and it's a good bonding time for you both.

Short walks close to home. A couple times a day. Not one long walk. YDI.