Walking Your Dog: The Benefits & Why It’s Important

We all know that walking your dog is good, but do you know just how good it is? There are lots of physical and mental benefits of walking your dog, including improved cardiovascular health, digestion, mental health and more.

Obesity can lead to joint problems, diabetes and heart disease, all things you want to avoid for your dog. Walking is an excellent way to manage your dog's weight and help prevent these issues. In 2020, The Australian Veterinary Association reported that 41% of pets were overweight or obese. By engaging in daily walks, your dog will burn calories and it will help maintain a healthy body weight.

Obesity isn’t just a problem for humans, but also for dogs. The PFIAA has also found that more than 40% of dogs are overweight or obese. A study by the University of NSW also found that more than half of owners didn’t walk their dogs. Regular dog walking is great for everyone involved, pet and owner alike. Read on for our detailed guide about the advantages of walking your dog, both physically and emotionally, as you spend some quality time with your best fur friend.

In this Article:

• The Benefits of Taking Your Dog for a Walk
• How Often Should I Walk My Dog?
• How Long Should I Take My Dog for A Walk?
• Things To Monitor for When Going for Walks

The Benefits of Taking Your Dog for a Walk

It is well known that physical activity for the dog owner is vital for good health, but it’s great for dogs too. The benefits of walking include:

Joint Health

It might seem counterintuitive, but walking can help strengthen your dog’s joints, even if they are seniors. Regular walking can help keep joints working and functional. It is a case of "use it or lose it." Nutritional support can also make quite an impact, so finding a diet with minerals such as calcium and phosphorus as well as Omega-3 fatty acids is a great way to help aid their joint health.

Weight Management

Any exercise will increase the calories burned each day, and a good walk also counts. It may seem obvious, but it’s important to remember that to maintain a healthy weight, the amount of energy that we consume (and our pets as well) each day must match the energy we use. If a walking pace is too easy or not quite keeping that extra weight at bay, try ramping up the pace to a light jog or a run. Walking is also a great way to maintain muscle mass without intensive exercise.

Mental Health

Humans don’t usually stay at home all day and dogs shouldn’t have to either! Changing your dog’s environment can provide mental stimulation. The brain, just like other muscles, needs to be challenged regularly to develop. Walks are a perfect way to provide lots of new stimuli in the form of new sights, smells, sounds and tactile sensations. To really mix it up, try bringing them to different locations like dog-friendly parks, beaches, on hikes and trail walks. You’ll probably enjoy being out and about just as much as they do!

Socialization

We all know at least one dog that is a bit socially awkward, making things difficult when they meet other dogs and people. Exposing your dog to different social environments during the early stages of their development (9-12 weeks old) is important to make sure they don’t miss out on normal behavioral development. Although leaving your dog to run around in a big garden could provide enough space for physical exercise.

If your dog is up to date with vaccines, dog parks, group walks and dog-friendly beaches are great ways to normalize interactions with other dogs and humans.

There are a lot of services that provide dog walking, or, even better, dog-friendly group adventures which allow for socializing. This is a perfect solution if you have little time but really want to provide your dog with social opportunities and tons of fun.

Just like people, not all dogs are social beings, so never force your dog to play with others. They may prefer to watch from the sidelines where they feel comfortable and just spend some quality time with their human. Your encounters can lead to conversations, new friendships and a sense of community, improving your dog's behavior and confidence in the process. Learn more about the importance of socialization, especially for puppies, here.

Behavioral Training

Going for walks also provides a great opportunity to practice obedience and training. It’s quite common to see dogs pulling at leashes, ignoring recall commands and chasing after things or people that would prefer to be left alone. Taking the time to properly train your dog to walk on a leash without pulling and to be responsive to recall commands will be appreciated by other people, dogs and general wildlife. If you can, start ingraining these behaviors while your dog is still young. Practicing these commands at home where there are fewer distractions before taking them out into the real world is a great tip.

During walks, your dog will encounter different stimuli, including other dogs, people and unfamiliar environments. Exposing your dog to these distractions in controlled settings during walks can help with basic obedience training, especially with puppies. Learn more about this here.

Walking is a great way to burn off excess energy in dogs. When dogs are inactive, they can become restless. Physical, mental or sensory stimulation can take on lots of different forms: constant pestering, barking, excessive chewing, digging, escaping or a huge range of other more undesirable behaviors. Daily walks are great for helping with this, exercising their mind and body through different stimuli.

Builds A Bond

Walking your dog is a shared experience that can strengthen the bond between you and your loyal friend. As you spend quality time together during walks, you deepen your connection and build trust. Walking provides a chance to communicate non-verbally with your dog so you can better understand each other's cues, needs and preferences. This shared activity creates a positive association, fostering a sense of companionship and enhancing your emotional bond.

Helps to Ease Separation Anxiety

Daily walks can be an effective strategy for helping to manage and ease separation anxiety in dogs. If your pup suffers from heightened stress and anxiety levels when left alone, this can lead to destructive behaviors, excessive barking or attempts to escape. Regular walking allows your dog to release pent-up energy, which can help alleviate their overall anxiety levels. It provides an outlet for their energy, making them more relaxed and less prone to destructive behaviors. Any mental stimulation helps divert a stressed dog's attention from the anxiety of being alone. Walking exposes them to new environments, scents and experiences, which engage their senses and keep their minds occupied. Read more about how to ease separation anxiety here.

How Often Should I Walk My Dog?

If a dog could answer this question they might probably say “every day!” It is a great question and really depends on the breed of the dog, age and if they have any health conditions that need to be considered. As we have said before, if you need more information about how often you should walk your dog, you should consult your veterinarian.

A senior dog with joint issues will need less exercise at a much lower intensity than a healthy dog who is full of energy. However, walking regularly is a great low-impact option for them that can be tailored to each pet individually. A routine with regular exercise (e.g., a shorter walk each day) is preferable to one big walk on the weekend going for several hours. Life can get in the way at times, and it can be difficult for some people with work or other commitments to dedicate time to a daily routine. Consider alternative options like including another family member, a friend or your local dog-walker, making sure your dog gets the opportunity to go outside.

How Long Should I Take My Dog for A Walk?

According to Better Health, a 30-minute walk five times weekly is the minimum recommended amount of time. However, it is important to remember that different dog breeds have varying exercise needs. High-energy breeds, such as border collies or retrievers, typically require longer and more vigorous walks than smaller or low-energy breeds.

As always, it’s important to speak to your veterinarian if you have questions and or concerns regarding how long you should be walking your dog.