How Often Do You Walk Your Dog
The global pandemic caused the world to stay home with our loved ones; this included the family dog. A walk or run around the block was, for some, the only way to escape the house. You might be wondering if your dog needs more than one walk per day or if a brisk potty romp will suffice. This article will get into how vital walking is for our dogs and how frequently you should do so.
Why Walking Your Dog Is Important
Just like kids, your dog wants to know the world. If they are hunkered in the house for too long, they are bound to get bored, and boredom can lead to destructive behavior in your dog. A sedentary pooch can hastily become obese, and that increases the chance of long-term health risks.
Try going out for a stroll with your pup at specific times of the day. Dogs are creatures of habit, and with a regular schedule, you'll notice how they get excited anticipating the time of their walk. Aside from doing their needs, dog walks allow them to feel motivated and associate with other dogs or people.
How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need
How much activity your dog needs depends on a lot of conditions. Generally, dogs need half an hour to an hour of exercise a day. Your canine pal needs adequate exercise so they can calm down by the time you stop. The amount of fitness a dog needs depends on many factors, including:
- Age: If your dog is already old, do not force them to exercise as it will only stress them out. Motivate them to do some outside play or whatever movements they can still manage for ten to fifteen minutes a day.
- Individual Personality: Just like people, not all dogs particularly enjoy exercise. Don't push your dog out, as it may lead them to develop phobias.
- Energy Level: Puppies generally have extra energy than grown-up dogs. Try exercising with them more often and in shorter bursts.
- Breed: Your dog's breed heavily impacts the level of physical activity they need. High energy breeds such as Siberian Husky and Golden Retriever require a lot more exercise than low energy breeds like Chihuahua and Pomeranian.
Your Dog's Exercise Tolerance
If your dog is holding up or has mobility issues, it is a good indication to interchange walking with other activities. As your dogs get older, they become less excited about exercise. Smaller dogs may get ample activity indoors and outside, play in the yard. Nevertheless, it would help if you took your dog out at least a few times weekly, regardless of their size and age.
Dogs crave the motivation and bond that you build as you go about your daily walk.
How Far Should You Walk Your Dog?
Most dogs would be satisfied with a walk of one to three miles, but if you have dogs that like to cover ground, they may end up walking up to ten miles or more. Depending on your stride, the expanse you will cover varies. Gradually strolling along with your small dog, you're not going to cover ample ground.
However, shuffling briskly with a massive dog may allow you to cover plenty of ground before they get exhausted.
How Frequent Should Your Dog Go Out?
Experts agree that an everyday walk is favorable for your dog. But if the weather doesn't permit you to walk, you can certainly get active indoors with your pet. Most dogs that have been on a walk will have a peaceful state of mind afterward. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a happy dog. Dogs are incredibly active creatures, and if they don't get out of the house, they may become unhappy or uneasy.
High Energy Dog Breeds
The breed is a huge influencer on how much exercise your dog needs since some breeds have more energy than others.
- Herding dogs like Shepherds, Cattle Dogs, Collies, and Corgis have to be taken out two to three times a day, 120 minutes, and follow-up pieces of training for larger breeds.
- Sporting dogs like Retrievers, Spaniels, and Vizsla dogs must be out for 60- 100 plus minutes and extra activities for larger breeds.
- Large terrier and working group dogs like Husky, Rottweiler, and Doberman love a nice lengthy hike per day, up to 180 minutes for high-energy breeds and 60-80 minutes for most breeds.
Different Dogs Have Different Walking Needs
High-energy dog breeds benefit from more continuous walks, while the less active dog breeds like Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Bulldogs may be good with just one or two short walks per day. Whether a short walk or a long walk will be enough exercise depends on your dog.
A good rule of thumb is that if your dog is still yanking on the leash at the end of the walk, they possibly need more exercise.
Walking Is Good For Your Dog's Health
Research from PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) Animal Well Being report in 2019 showed that thousands of dogs in the UK are never walked at all. Not getting sufficient exercise can cause your dog health problems. They show frustration by chewing, barking a lot, over-grooming or toileting in the house.
Exercise doesn't just keep your dogs in shape but also keeps their mental health in check. It's fundamental that all dogs get a daily walk along with quality food and treats to keep them happy and healthy.
How Often Should I Walk My Dog
Develop a routine walking schedule to allow your dog to anticipate that it will go out on the streets. There is no exact schedule for each breed or age. It would be best if you experimented according to your dog's needs.
In his writings for the Washington Post, veterinarian Dr. Michael W. Fox said that the best pattern for dogs is going out for a morning walk before breakfast, at 2 P.M., a long walk or run before an evening meal at 5-6 P.M. and another short walk or more time in the yard before bedtime.
Best Time To Walk Your Dog
The time to walk your dog ranges greatly depending on your locale. If you reside in the countryside, your dog can enjoy the longest walk of the day in the morning or afternoon. If you are in the city, nighttime is the perfect time to promote your dog's relaxation before sleeping.
You can take a very soothing, peaceful stroll where your dog can sniff everything they want with less commotion and congestion around that can cause a dog's stress level to rise.
Final Thoughts
Going out and about keeps your dog's brain robust and provides tremendous stress relief not just for them but also for you. Walks and games are a much better treat than food too. So grab that leash today and head out on a new adventure with your furry pal.
Reference
- PAW Report a decade on – the UK’s largest pet wellbeing survey marks a milestone year - https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/10-years-of-paw-report
- The best times of the day to feed and exercise dogs - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-best-times-of-the-day-to-feed-and-exercise-dogs/2014/12/18/e6dc3dfc-8005-11e4-8882-03cf08410beb_story.html