5 Reasons to Walk Your Dog Every Day
What happens when you ask your dog if they want to go for a walk? Do they get excited? Do they start to prance around and run for the leash? That excitement tells you all you need to know about how your dog feels about walks.
But have you ever wondered why dogs get so excited about going for a walk? What is it about walks that are so enriching for dogs? Today we’ll take a look at the daily dog walk, and why it’s such a crucial part of your dog’s routine. Here’s 5 reasons to walk your dog every day.
You Dog Needs Physical Exercise
First and foremost, walking your dog every day is a great way to help your dog stay fit & active. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of your dog developing a number of health related conditions such as hypertension, liver disease, and diabetes. One of the easiest ways to keep your dog fit is by walking them every day.
Walking also helps preserve your dog’s muscles and joints, and it’s a great way to help shed some extra pounds if your dog is overweight. And the regular cardio that a daily walk provides can improve mood and energy levels.
Walking is Great Mental Exercise
The benefits of walking your dog every day go well beyond just physical too — it’s important for their mental health and well being. The daily walk is the one time a day your dog gets a chance to explore the neighborhood and find out what’s going on in the world around them.
Unlike us they can’t just sit down at anytime to read the paper — they need to go outside to find out what’s going on in the world around them.
And since dogs explore with their nose don’t forget to give them a chance to use it. When you’re out on your walk give them some time to sniff around for some extra mental stimulation and enrichment.
I always set aside a few designated “sniff breaks” for Laika on our walks. I give her the cue “go sniff” and let her do her thing. When it’s time to head back I use the “let’s go” cue and we’re back on the trail.
To keep your dog walks fun remember to switch up your routine once in a while by going to a different neighborhood, or checking out a new park or trail. Once a week I like to take Laika to a local park or trail to explore; it helps keep things exciting for the both of us.
For more mental stimulation remember to give your dog some time to sniff around & explore on walks.
Walking Can Help Boost Your Dog’s Confidence
Another reason to walk your dog every day is that it’s a great for building confidence. Having a daily routine will help boost your dog’s confidence, and your daily walk is a big part of that structure.
A daily routine will give your dog structure and stability, and that level of predictability goes a long way to boosting confidence, especially in shy or fearful dogs. One of the best ways to keep your dog happy and confident is by creating a daily routine for your dog that includes fun activities such as the daily walk and interactive play.
Tip: If you’re looking for more activities to add into your dog’s daily routine be sure to check out 33 ways to keep your dog busy indoors & 26 boredom busters for dogs.
It Helps With Socialization
Walking with your dog will help with also help with socialization by exposing them to different people, dogs and situations. Although the majority of socialization happens when your dog is a pup it’s important to keep up on those skills by continually introducing your dog to new people and situations.
Switching up your route, such as going to a different neighborhood, trail or park, will give your dog a chance to experience a variety of environments and situations. For shy or fearful dogs remember to take it slow to avoid over arousal.
Walking With Your Dog Strengthens Your Bond
Another reason to walk your dog every day is that it’s a great way to reinforce the bond you have with your dog. It’s one relatively easy thing you can do each day that brings your dog so much joy.
Spending quality time with your dog makes that bond stronger, and the daily walk is one of the most rewarding activities around. Trust is a big part of the bonding process, and by walking your dog every day you’re showing them that you’re someone they can depend on and trust for their daily needs.
Tip: Be sure to check out 10 ways to bond with your dog if you’re looking for more tips on creating a strong bond with your dog.
What Is Your Daily Walking Routine?
Do you walk your dog every day? How often do you switch up your route? Do you let your dog take sniff breaks? Let me know in the comments below.
Recommended Reading
- 10 Dog Walking Tips Everyone Should Know
- 5 Ways to Motivate Yourself For a Dog Walk
- 10 Tips for Walking a Reactive Dog
Please share with your friends 🙂
So the benefits of dog-walking for dogs is clear. The good news is that it’s also hugely beneficial to people.
My puppy likes to pull pretty hard while being walked. I wish I could walk her more in the winter, but it’s too dangerous when the ground is covered in ice!
I started walking my dog when I realized she was getting a bit too heavy. our daily walks are our favourite part of each day.
Very well said! To ensure a healthy and happy dog, we, dog owners need to provide them with the right nutrition as well as exercise. Walking our dogs is one of the best exercises that benefit not just his physical health, but also his mental health. Walking is good for keeping our canine companions mentally stimulated. My pooch loves to walk every morning and I take him on various routes to allow him to explore. Thank you for sharing this post!
Walking a dog regularly is really important to keep him healthy. Thanks for sharing such informative words with us.
Also, read this article: https://www.boredcesar.com/how-to-calm-an-over-excited-dog/
It’s a good news that walking the dogs also brings benifits to people. Interesting!
The Dog Hug
I agree with this post 100%, my dogs are best behaved when we consistently take them out for walks and play outside. I think once a week we do change the routine with our dogs, either I go to a different park which is 30 min away from our house, or my wife takes the dogs for a walk with her friend at different trails. I do noticed that benefits of doing this with our dogs vs. when we become somewhat lazy or because of other priorities, our dogs behavior changes.
Proper training will help your dog to behave nicely with outsiders. Daily walking will help them to get familiar with other dogs, people and environment too. You can also use various dog training equipment to train your dog how to walk.
Sometimes my Husky just resists and doesn’t want to go home. What to do in this case?
Can’t take my dog for walks however we do play ball a lot and she is a great fetcher I taught her as a pup. But your right she is ANTSY and always trys to run away I take her for rides in my car but I know there’s nothing like going for a walk. I
use to take her for a walk me in my electric cart but now she moves to fast and gets to mixed up in my way. I found a phone number on the side of the road about someone wanting to take strangers dog for a walk for pay would this be a good idea? Ore would I loose control of her what should I do I have a beautiful two year old chocolate full size poodle she is very smart.
Yes, the Correct thing you are telling. The Dog is also be active by daily walk.
The Correct thing you are telling. Thank you for useful post
I have a daily schedule of walking with my dog . It helps both of us to maintain good health.
Thanks for sharing this post
my dog just turned 12, I walk him twice a day, he even knows when to go out, when I’m late, he stays behind me until we leave
That’ so helpful! I will take my dogs to walk more.