The Importance of Walking Dogs

Many pets need only for their owners to reach for their leash to get excited about going out; others scramble to their paws at the mention of the word "outside." Walking outside is a part of a dog's natural behavior, and it is an important key to a dog's happiness. A dog should go on a walk every day of no fewer than 30 minutes, but two or three shorter walks a day as well -- not instead -- will ensure a much happier, healthier and well-balanced dog.

  1. Mental Stimulation

    • Packs of dogs in the wild, and stray dogs, wake up in the morning and go searching for food or for a place to do their business. It is natural for your house pet to want to do the same. During a walk a dog sees, smells, hears and experiences new things. This is the ultimate entertainment for a dog: new things. A dog is even more mentally stimulated if the location of the walk changes often. This stimulation will prevent a dog from being bored. Being bored can lead to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior and hyperactivity.

    Physical Exercise

    • A daily walk expends energy that would otherwise would build up and could manifest in bad behavior. Whether confined by a crate or a large backyard, a dog limited by boundaries will eventually see the space it is enclosed in as a cage if the environment does not vary at all. Most dogs won't exercise themselves (by running around a backyard, for instance). A walk with the pet owner is the animal's sole opportunity to exercise. A walk gives a dog the opportunity to stretch its legs and experience different levels of activity, both mental and physical.

    Bonding and Training

    • A daily walk is important, and the relationship between dog and owner during the walk is also important. The owner should determine where the dog goes and when it is time to go home. In other words, lead the dog instead of letting the dog lead you. That doesn't mean your dog can't get ahead of you on the leash -- though properly trained dogs learn to walk beside the owner and not pull. Treats, special leashes like a harness or choke chain and consistent corrections can help you to train a dog to stay beside or behind you during a walk; consider reading a book on dog training or submitting to dog-training training yourself. When your dog sees you as a strong leader, the walk becomes the privilege to walk beside the leader and not a time to pull, bark or act out in any way.

    Socialization

    • A daily walk gives a dog the opportunity to meet other dogs and people. Dogs can be wary of or even aggressive to strangers and other dogs if they do not have experience in meeting strangers and other dogs. Even if other dogs are casually walking by or restrained behind a fence while you are walking yours, your dog is able to hear and smell them. Some dog owners may want to stop to let the dogs greet each other. Ideally, socialization takes place at a dog park or other open space where many dogs can meet; but a walk can give a dog sufficient contact with others to socialize it.