The importance of walking your dog.

We’ve all been there,

we got ourselves a pooch and they are so adorable when they are young puppies, they tire out fast and want to play all the time. Then we hit the adolescence phase and our furry friend has more energy, more drive and needs even more attention. What to do?!

The answer is simple. Daily walks. I can’t stress this enough, but when I meet with people and their dogs and ask “How often and how long do you take your dog(s) for a walk?” and most of the time the answer is “Maybe once or twice for about 10-15 minutes”. That is not enough.

Here’s is why two 30 to 45 minute walk is the best solution for your pet dog:

– you and your dog get some bonding time

– it helps your fitness/health and that of your dog

– you can go on walks with your neighbors and friends, instead of chatting online or talking on the phone, talk while having a nice walk with your dog(s)

– walks are not simply walks, they are a training tool as well

How you ask?

– you can work on your dogs leash manners

– you can train/control when and where your dog goes potty

– your dog will be less anxious and fearful if you expose him to different environments

What is a “good” walk with your dog?

There are essentially two ways you can do a walk.

1. Let the dog(s) roam and walk and sniff as he pleases (that is the leisure walk)

2. You engage with your dog, talk to him and have treats ready. Make random stops, your dog should come to you, if he does, reward him with a treat. Now you have a dog that always looks to you when you stop and even when you walk.

– Pick sniffing spots and assign it a command “Go sniff” and let your dog have a blast sniffing all he can, then continue walking.

– Pick different routes, change it up, have fun and make your dog explore and walks will become very exciting for your dog.

I hope you get the idea. Even if the weather is bad (we get that a lot in Wisconsin) embrace it, my dogs love snow diving, or running through puddles. If your dogs enjoys the walks so will you. You will have a happier, more relaxed and better behaved dog for it.