Walking exercises the mind as well as the body. Watching wildlife, exploring new paths, seeing other people with their pets, and so on, are great mental stimulation for your dog that he just cannot get in the same fenced area all the time. Walking also releases excess energy and helps dogs sleep better at night.
Exercise, including long walks, can tire them out, leading to a calmer and quieter companion at home. But what's essential for dogs is consistency.
A walk can make a dog very happy. They love to check out the sights and smells and will really look forward to spending time with you.
In fact, it is usually nothing to worry about, and sometimes it's exactly what your dog needs! Sometimes a dog can't go for a walk due to health reasons. Whether it's an injury or an upset tummy, a day or more of rest is often necessary. We may also choose to skip a walk for behavioural reasons.
But what we can do is replace their walks in the world with training, sniffing, chewing or indoor playtime. Having a rest day is often beneficial for the human-dog relationship as you tend to focus more on your time together, rather than completing the “chore” of a dog walk.
A dog in good general shape can enjoy a 15 to 30 minute walk daily. Most breeds may need routine walks several times per day. Moreover, dogs with excellent health can enjoy long walks of up to two or more hours. Some will even hike with their owners for a couple of hours.
Walks are meant to stimulate a dog's mind and body and help them decompress. But repeating the same routine over and over can make walks lose their luster and become less fulfilling for both the dog and the walker. If your furry client has begun showing signs of boredom, don't pack up the leash just yet.
Most dogs need at least 1-2 walks per day (unless otherwise specified by your vet). A brisk walk is a great opportunity for your dog to burn off extra energy, and a slow, meandering walk – where you let your dog sniff and explore for as long as they want – is great for their mental health.
Generally, puppies start to calm down when they reach emotional maturity — around 1 year old. However, some dog breeds take longer to reach adulthood and emotional maturity. In those cases, puppies may not mellow out until they hit 18 months to 3 years old.
Does it seem like your dog is getting bored on their walks? Mixing things up can be a great way to increase the stimulation and enjoyment for your furry friend. Remember, your dog's walk is meant to be enjoyable, but even the most invigorating walks can become less engaging if they are repeatedly experienced.
All dogs need exercise to relieve stress, maintain health, and prevent obesity. There are some key elements in reducing your dog's stress in order to have a happy, safe walk with them. First, know your pet's fear triggers.
Anything above 20C can cause your dog to become dehydrated and very hot very quickly. The hotter the temperature, the higher the risk to your dog. As the temperature increases, even by just 1C, the risk to your dog increases too. Any temperature over 25C is a definite NO when it comes to walking!
Your dog may not look at the clock but most dogs do know when it is dinner time or time to go for a walk. How do they do this? All animals have a circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are the physical, mental and behavioural changes that follow a 24 hour cycle, responding to light and dark in the animal's environment.
No dog of any age should be made to wait longer than 8 hours! Different breeds have different social needs: hounds are extremely social, but some “working” breeds and guard dogs are fine for 10-12 hours.
Just Walking Your Dog May Not be Enough
Exercise needs are based on your dog's age, breed, size, and overall health, but a good rule of thumb is you should spend at least 30 minutes every day on an activity with your dog. Younger dogs and dogs bred for sports or herding activities may need much more.
If they are not used to more than a 10-minute walk or playtime, suddenly expecting more than an hour of activity can set them up for injury and medical problems. If they're over-extended, they may be resistant to exercise or develop mobility issues, anxiety, and exhaustion/lethargy.
Lots of dogs refuse to walk or keep moving if they are scared of something in their surroundings. This is seen most often in young puppies who are going through their fear period and adult dogs that are walking in an unfamiliar environment (especially if they tend to be anxious/fearful or have a history of trauma).
While they might take naps here and there, they shouldn't be sleeping 24/7. If they are sleeping more than usual and you've ruled out any potential health issues, then they are probably bored. As humans, we tend to sleep or eat when there is nothing left to do, which is also true for our pets.
Plus, they spend hours alone while we go off to work or to run errands. So, do dogs get bored? Absolutely! Doggy boredom can lead to problem behaviors, but more importantly an unhappy dog.
It's wise to walk your pooch at least once per day - but twice is ideal regardless of breed or size. According to the Kennel Club, all dogs need at least 30 minutes of 'formal exercise' – which is more intense than purely playing in the garden, for example – like a decent walk or playing fetch in a field.
"Rather than pulling the dog along, allow your pet to move at a more comfortable pace. If they stop to sniff, let them sniff! Or, if they have an interest in investigating a given area, let them do so," Becker says.
Sporting and Herding Dogs
Bred for jobs that require endurance, these groups have the greatest need for a daily workout. They include Retrievers, Spaniels, Collies, Pointers and German Shepherds. Include training along with exercise and vary routines to keep the attention of these robust dogs.
Some dogs will become very withdrawn and depressed when they are lacking in mental and physical stimulation. These dogs are more reluctant to engage with their human family and might need to get outside and moving to become more involved.
Nightly walks can also help your pup sleep better and prevent them from rambling throughout the night. By nighttime, summer temps have usually cooled down, making it the optimal time for long-haired or brachycephalic breeds to have their last walk of the day.