10 Benefits of Walking Your Dog

Walking your dog is not an optional activity; it is a necessity.
Why should you spend time walking your dog? Regular walks provide your dog with physical, emotional, and behavioral opportunities necessary for their overall wellbeing, including much-needed exercise, a bonding experience, an opportunity for training, and a chance for mental stimulation and socialization.

Without offering your dog the opportunity to walk daily, you are also setting them up for failure.

10 BENEFITS OF WALKING YOUR DOG

1. Walking Is A Way To Bond With Your Dog
A nice long walk together is the perfect chance to bond with your dog. You are giving your dog your undivided attention and reinforcing your bond with them.

2. Taking Your Dog For A Walk Helps With Your Dog’s Socialization
Walking your dog allows them to meet people and other dogs. This experience is great as your dog will learn how to behave and interact with others. Regular socialization also gets your dog used to being around and new faces and even strangers.

3. Walking Your Dog Is A Great Exercise For Both Of You
Exercise is necessary for both you and your dog, and walking together is the ideal opportunity to get that workout in. You will both keep that excess weight off and be able to live a more active lifestyle!

4. Walking Your Dog Enhances Your Dog Obedience Training
Walking your dog is also a good time to rehash training commands that your dog has learned previously. Practicing these commands will reinforce them and make sure that your dog does not start pushing boundaries.

5. Going For A Walk Teaches Your Dog How To Response To External Stimuli
When your dog is outside, they experience new stimuli that they would otherwise not see or hear. Regular exposure to different sights and sounds will help your dog become more confident and less likely to experience fear when put in a new situation.

6. Walking Is A Great Mental Stimulation For Your Dog
During your walks, your dog experiences new information that challenges them to interpret that information using existing mental blueprints.

7. Walking Helps Your Dog Release Excess Energy
Some dog breeds and younger dogs can be a handful. Walking burns off some of that energy and helps your dog focus and sleep better.

8. Walking Keeps Your Dog’s Joint Health
Staying active keeps excess weight off and keeps joints moving regularly, helping prevent arthritis symptoms and stiffness.

9. Walking Is Vital to Your Dog’s Heart Health
A healthy heart requires regular activity and healthy body weight; walking helps you and your dog achieve and maintain these two things.

10. Walking Your Dog Helps Communicating With Your Dog
Walking together helps your dog better understand what you expect from them by replicating commands in new situations.

How “Regular” Should “Regular Walks” Be?

The answer to this question depends on your dog, their health, and their age. For example, senior dogs and dogs in poor health may lack the stamina to keep up with multiple daily walks or long walks. Younger dogs may need shorter but more frequent walks.

How many minutes a day should you walk your dog?

Most healthy adult dogs should be walked one to two times a day for 15 to 30 minutes per walk – longer if desired. Don’t push your dog too far – if you see signs of fatigue; it’s time to call it quits.

Don’t cheat them out of a good healthy walk either! If your dog is happy to keep walking, spend a little more time outside with them!

Should You Let Your Dog Sniff On Walks?

Stop And Smell the Roses
An essential part of walking with your dog is allowing them the time to stop and sniff! Your dog’s sense of smell tells them a lot about their environment and who has been in that environment previously. Allowing them to stop and sniff allows your dog to “take it all in,” to experience new things, and most of all, to enjoy the variation in the different scenery!

Grab your dog’s leash, put on your walking shoes, and take your dog for a walk.

5 Waking Tips With Your Dog

1. Commit To A Time To When Walking Your Dog
To eliminate any excuses, it is important to set a schedule.

2. Choose the RIGHT Collar/Harness and Leash When Walking Your Dog
Your dog’s comfort is essential on your daily walks. Many dogs are accustomed to wearing a regular collar rather than a harness. Large and strong dogs benefit from wearing a harness for better control and it will be easier on your arms and back. To avoid hazards, using a retractable leash on walks is not recommended. Also, a retractable leash makes your dog pull more.

3. Taking Your Dog For A Walk, Be a Responsible Dog Owner
Pick Up Your Dogs Poop: Always bring poop bag(s) and makes sure to pick up your dog’s waste, Scoop That Poop.

Bring Water For Both You and Your Dog: It is important to stay hydrated on your walk especially when you are going for a long walk on a warm day.

Keep Your Dog’s Attention by Bringing A Good High Value Dog Treats: If your dog is easily distracted or reactive on walks, using a high value treats helps to keep his/her attention and focus on you.

4. Bring Creativity Into Your Dog Walking Route
Vary your walking paths. Be adventurous and explore new parks or indoor/outdoor places.

5. When Walking Your Dog Enjoy the Present Moment
Unplug (no music/phone) and enjoy the moment with your dog. Make your walk a special precious moment where you slow down and appreciate what’s around you especially your dog.

These tips are based on our previous Infographic: 5 Walking Tips With Your Dog

Walk Your DOG!

As your dog ages or as you get busier, it can be tempting to skip walks in favor of naps, relaxing on the couch, or other activities. DON’T! Regular walks are one of the highlights of your dog’s day and an opportunity for you both to step away from the tedious monotony of day to day life.

Happiness Is A Long Walk With Your Dog!