Why Walk?

As we know, regardless of size, breed, age, or disposition, all dogs are extremely dynamic and they require a wide variety of activities on a day-to-day basis in order to stay mentally and physically healthy (just like people!)

 

Playing in the yard or in the house serves a purpose; chasing, playing, jumping, fetching, and chewing are all activities that engage your dog in necessary and unique ways. The same can be said for tethering your dog in the yard, on the step, or having the space for them to patrol the yard unleashed. This gives them an opportunity to be independent and they can take in the sights and smells while surveying their environment without being guided, called, or engaged by humans. Similarly, walking your dog around your neighbourhood serves an important and necessary purpose and is extremely beneficial for their physical and mental health.

 

While I'm personally not an expert, veterinarians and comparative psychologists (animal psychologists) will confirm that for dogs who are physically capable, sustained periods of walking, exploring, and sniffing relieves stress and allows your dog to take in neighbourhood information about other dogs, people, animals, and movement which in turn, helps them understand their larger environment and how they fit into it. Sustained walking offers sensory stimuli that other activities do not which is crucial for keeping your dog well-adjusted and happy during their days. While a romp in the backyard and playing chase around the house have their place, the act of walking offers specific benefits that aren't replicated in other forms of activity. From my experience, there is a misunderstanding (by us humans) that the sole purpose of activity is to "tire the dog out," so why walk them when 20 minutes of play in the house or backyard achieve the same outcome of tiring out the dog? While they may yield the same result, the two activities are not mutually exclusive, but us humans often think they are and we are doing our dogs a disservice in doing so. 

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I've spoken with many dog owners who have struggled to understand why their dog "won't settle down," why they're destructive or why have behavioural issues (nervousness, pacing, peeing inside, whining/grunting all the time, etc.). When/if appropriate, I'll ask the owner, "how many times a day are you walking your dog?" More often than not, owners reveal that their dog doesn't get outside for consistent walks or any walks at all. Owners will say that they don't have a daily walking routine, or that they bring their dog to the park instead to "tire them out." If owners are open to the suggestion, I always offer that if their dog is physically capable, they should create a routine of walking (at least) twice a day, every day and then see if they notice a difference in their dog's behaviour and mood. A consistent walking routine will help your dog relax, sleep better, and even improve your bond with them, this is a guarantee. Moreover, an improved bond can manifest in better focus and obedience from your dog more generally.

 

Although every dog has different capabilities based on their breed, health, and age, the majority of dogs within their prime years should be walking at least twice a day (if not more based on the dog's energy levels). All dogs deserve walks! If this routine is not something you can provide for your dog at the moment, that's okay, there is no judgement! But hiring a dog walker might be beneficial for you and your dog and it is worth considering. All we can hope for as paw-parents is that our dogs are happy and well-adjusted and JWalk's believes that walking is the key!