The Importance of a Dog Walk
The first thing a Behaviourist might ask is about the amount of exercise your dog gets.
What
is the importance of walking?
Dogs have a primal need to walk. In the wild, packs of dogs get up in the morning and walk to find food. Walking fulfils a migration instinct for a dog.
Daily walks not only provide structure to your dog's life, but also challenges him physically and mentally. As a dog walks, he is gathering information about how the territory has changed since the last time he was on that same route. Sniffing and marking is part of this routine for many dogs, and meets his primal instincts. It allows a dog to BE a dog. By sniffing the urine and faeces that other dogs have left behind, your dog gains all sorts of information about the dogs who have travelled this route. This includes the sex, health and age. Leaving a scent behind is your dog's equivalent of a check in on Facebook!
Lack of exercise can cause a build up of physical and mental energy in dogs which can be the trigger for behavioural problems such as obsessive compulsive behaviours, hyperactivity, and aggression.
What behaviours might be seen if your dog isn’t walked enough?
Dogs are very like small children and you can imagine that a dog who spends much of his day alone, without exercise and stimulation, is far
more likely to have behavioural issues than a dog who has regular walks, play time and basic training.
It is also harder to train a dog with pent up energy and he is less likely to be responsive to training than a dog who is regularly exercised and stimulated by the sights, sounds, sniffs and other dogs and people he meets on his walk.
Dogs who do not have the opportunity to walk with their owner and meet and greet other people and animals are more likely to be reactive and over excited when they do meet new people and other dogs. They are less likely to use positive and appropriate canine body language.
The right amount of exercise for your dog
How much exercise your dog needs depends on their breed, age, health and personality. The diagram below gives a rough guide to how much exercise each breed of dog needs, but every dog is an individual and may be different to other dogs of the same breed (one might love a long walk, while the other prefers running and playtime, for example). If you’re unsure on how much exercise your dog needs, it’s best to speak to your vet for advice.
Exercising
your dog at different ages
Dogs need different amounts of exercise at different ages.
Expecting your puppy to be able to do a two hour walk would be like expecting a
toddler to do the same! It’s the same for older dogs – they might not be able
to keep up with you like they used to. However most older dogs still enjoy a trip out for sniffs and to stretch their legs.
If you dog is ill or suffering from a long-term health
condition, it may not be possible for them to have lots of exercise. Your vet
will be able to give you advice on how much exercise your dog will need
depending on their health condition or illness.
Different types of doggy exercise
It’s good to mix up your dog’s routine so they don’t
get bored, But for anxious dogs it might be better to stick to a familiar route that they know. You need to make sure they’re getting at least one walk daily, but
on top of that they should be getting other types of other mental stimulation too. This could be a 15 minute training session or playing with a tug toy game or a chew.
Walking needs to be a daily routine, not just
something you do at weekends. If you can't walk them yourself, ask a
friend, or a professional dog-walker. You and your dog will both reap the benefits of a regular walk.
My
dog doesn't like walks
Not all dogs particularly enjoy exercise and all dogs have
very different exercise needs. Dogs of the same breed may be completely different with one being high energy and one much more laid-back.
In some cases, dogs may feel afraid and overwhelmed outside. Don’t force your dog out as this will be stressful for both of you and could lead to your dog developing phobias. It’s really important to speak to your vet or a Behaviourist if your dog seems stressed when outside. They will help you to build up your dog's confidence with a positive reinforcement programme which will gradually expose your dog to the things they are afraid of at a pace that your dog can handle.
You can make up exercise for your dog in another way, for example, through playtime, running around the garden a lot and having lots of fun interactive games.
Take
Your Time
Sometimes, dogs don’t enjoy walks if we rush them. Make sure
your dog gets at least one walk a day where they’re allowed to stop and have a
good sniff around. If they feel rushed they’re less likely to enjoy the walk
and may be reluctant to take particular routes.
If you’re thinking of getting a dog and love to go on long
walks, make sure you do your research on different breeds first to help choose
one that matches with your lifestyle.
Always allow your dog to have a good sniff around – this is
important for their mental health.
Don’t throw sticks for your dog to chase – they can splinter
and injure your dog’s mouth and throat.
If your dogs loves to chase a ball, make sure it’s not
small enough for your dog to swallow.
‘Varied walking’ can
be good for you and your dog – this is where you speed-walk for about 30
seconds, walk at normal pace for about a minute, then speed up again and so on.
It’s a really good exercise for both of you and something you can do randomly
throughout your walk.
Exercise as much as necessary – if your dog isn’t getting
tired, or is still full of energy when you get home, they may need more
exercise. If your dog is struggling, or refuses to go at all, you may need to
cut back!
Try to vary your route, keep your walks interesting and
exciting.
For dogs that pull on a lead, I advise using an extender lead and doing frequent U Turns as you walk, this helps to keep your dog on its toes and checking up on you. I also recommend you give a tiny bit of a treat every time your dog comes back to you on a walk. You need to be the source of great things so that you are more interesting than whatever your dog is trying to drag you towards!
Keep dogs on a lead in built-up areas and only let them off
when you are absolutely sure it is safe. This ensures your dog isn’t a nuisance
to others and protects it from traffic, litter and other hazards. It is also
important to keep your dog on a lead around sheep and other livestock.
Identification – It is the law that owners ensure their dog is wearing a collar
and tag and has their microchip details up to date.
Seasonal walks – during the winter months you should consider using high visibility jackets, hi-vis or LED collars and leads to be
seen and keep safe. During the hot summer months you may need to walk your dog
during the cooler hours. Make sure your dog has plenty of water to drink after every walk and do check their paws for cuts or alien bodies afterwards.
Poo bags – always carry plenty of poo bags and dispose of
them in appropriate bins!
Fun ways to
exercise your dog
Sometimes exercise is not the only answer for calming down a very bouncy dog!
For dogs who are easily bored there is plenty you can do to keep them occupied. Remember that dogs were originally selectively bred according to how useful they were to humans. Dogs are pre-programmed to "work", not lie around the house all day. The following activities all use up mental energy which will help your dog to relax and chill out at home.
Make them work for their food. Using a feeding toy instead of
a food bowl is a fun way to feed your dog at the same time as getting them to
burn excess energy.
Basic Training. A 15 minute training session is as tiring as a walk for most dogs. Make regular positive training sessions part of your dog's routine. They enjoy the mental challenge and will build confidence and self esteem.
Sniff it out. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and this
can form a fun game. Use one of their favourite toys or part of their food
allowance to create a scent trail by rubbing it on the floor at regular
intervals. Hide the toy or food at the end of the trail as a great reward.
Jump to it. For more mobile dogs you can use a plastic hula
hoop held upright, just off the ground and get your dog to walk through it.
Give them lots of praise once they jump through and gradually increase the
height off the floor to get them jumping higher and burning energy.
Get them to ‘step-up’ to the challenge. You can use a flight of stairs for any dog who is mobile. Leave your dog at the bottom of the stairs and walk to the top yourself. Call your dog to you, at the top of the stairs and reward them with some fuss or a game with their favourite toy. You can repeat this a few times but stop if they seem tired or out of breath.
That's all for today folks! I really hope you enjoy the blog and find the information useful. Please forgive any "clunkiness" social media is a big learning curve for me!
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