At our house, when the leash comes out or the word “walk” is mentioned doggy ears perk up and tails start wagging! Getting outside for a walk is one of a dog’s favorite things to do. Naturally dogs (some breeds more so than others) require exercise and love being outdoors, so taking your pooch on a walk through the neighborhood, to the park or up and down dirt trails can be the perfect bonding experience – they’ll love the time in nature and with you.
Benefits of Daily Walks
Dogs are social animals. Naturally, most dogs crave interaction with people and other pets on a daily basis. Taking your pooch on a walk each morning or every evening will give them the exercise and physical activity they crave, but also will allow time for them to interact with you and passersby. As you walk with your dog, if you feel your pet is not aggressive, allow other walkers to pet your dog or allow him to greet other dogs on your walk. Socializing pets starting at an early age is crucial and as he grows and becomes accustomed to interacting with both humans and animals on his daily walks he will learn to be polite and friendly in public.
Daily walks are a way of rewarding your pet with positive attention and fun. Walks can be a “treat” for pets, they enjoy the fresh air and exercise and most of all enjoy the quality time spent with you. A walk is a great opportunity to bond with your pet, teach him obedience and reward him for being your companion. Dogs are mentally stimulated by the smells, sights and sounds on every walk and will appreciate the mental “exercise” of following commands and learning to walk like a polite lady or gentleman. Daily walks are the perfect time to reinforce, “sit”, “stay” and “heel” commands as well as teach your dog to walk leisurely on his leash without pulling.
Walking is a great form of exercise for every type of dog – puppy, large breed, senior or the lazy dog. Even a dog with a large yard to play in will appreciate the constant movement of a long walk. Exercise requirements vary by dog breed – Pugs, Beagles, Basset Hounds and Pomeranians require minimal exercise daily while Labrador Retrievers, Saint Bernards, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies require a higher amount of exercise. In general, it is said 20 minutes is a good duration for a walk – giving your pet time to urinate, defecate and stretch his legs – but the longer you can walk, the more exercise your pet will get and the more time you can spend bonding. Just don’t overdue it. Extensive walks on hot pavement, uneven surfaces or covering too much distance could lead to injury or excessive fatigue for your dog.
Safety and Rules
Many cities have strictly enforced leash laws and regulations in place. It is important to know the leash rules in your area to avoid any unwanted fines or hassle. It is common safety practice to keep your dog on a leash when walking on trails, through neighborhoods or on roads – to keep both you and your pet out of harm’s way. If you prefer for your pet to run free and socialize with other dogs off-leash, look for dog parks with designated off-leash areas for more unstructured play.
No matter where you walk, it is important to be conscious and courteous of your surroundings, to pick up after your pet and to keep your pet’s health and safety in mind at all times. Carry plastic waste bags with you to clean up after your pet and always caution your pets out of neighbors’ yards or areas where pets are not allowed to show courtesy to the community.
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I really liked your article. I often times tell my children to walk the dog when I am not around. They do not understand the importance of a pet’s exercise routine. Keep up the great work with your blog!