Stop Scrolling PetRescue.

Your 'dream dog' might be your biggest mistake if you don't do this audit first.

Are you the 5 AM runner?

We all want to be the person hiking the Blue Mountains every Saturday. But your dog lives with the real you who works 40 hours and shops at Woolies.

The only data that matters.

Look at your last three months, not your future intentions. Track your 'available active minutes' for one week to find your true baseline.

Energy isn't the same as Drive.

A Greyhound has physical fuel but low drive. A Kelpie has 'Drive'—the mental need for a job. If you don't give them one, they'll find one.

Don't let them 're-style' your yard.

High-drive dogs without mental jobs will 'disassemble' your Bunnings outdoor furniture. They need training, not just a walk around the block.

Hot bitumen and safe hours.

A 2 PM walk in the QLD summer is a no-go. Audit your 'safe hours'. If you aren't a morning person, your summer walking time might be zero.

The maintenance tax.

Most people forget 'Essential Maintenance'. Feeding, grooming, and toilet breaks eat into your physical time. Factor these in first.

Are you a Weekend Warrior?

Zero activity on weekdays and heaps on Saturdays is a recipe for puppy stress. An adult dog with moderate energy is your best mate.

Burn brains, not just kilojoules.

15 minutes of sniffing is more tiring than a 30-minute walk. Use Kmart sniff mats while you're watching the footy to bridge the gap.

When reality bites back.

Excessive barking or digging? That's not a 'bad' dog; it's a bored dog. They have unmet biological needs that your audit missed.

You don't have to do it all.

Mismatch happening? Outsource it. Use Mad Paws walkers or a local doggy daycare once a week to top up their activity tank.