It’s one of the first things we are told when we consider getting a dog – You need to walk him! And, we understand the need for walks from the potty training perspective. Dogs need to do their business and the time to do that is when we take them out for a walk. Sometimes, when the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, we just go outside for them to do their job. But, walking a dog is more than just that. Walking a dog is much more important than some people realize, especially those planning to have their first-ever dog.
It’s More Than Just To Pee
It is their fundamental need. Period. It’s not just to go and pee or poo. Dogs will go on a walk even when they don’t have to urinate. Speaking of urinating, that is a whole different topic that has to do with a dog’s innate need to scent mark the territory. And that need to mark the spot another dog has marked is intertwined with their need to go out for a walk. It’s their door to the world around them.
Taking a dog for a walk is like giving yourself some free time to see what’s on the news, check your Facebook or Instagram feed, etc. Just like we see a new photo our friends have posted, dogs “sniff” what’s new with their friends. A dog can tell another dog’s sex, age, health, and emotional state, and many other things just through the scent they leave behind.
Apart from scenting other dogs, walking is the time for exploring. It is an adventure. It doesn’t matter if you live in the country or a city, a dog will find hundreds of new scents each time you go out. They will feel the scent of a fox that ventured into the city during the night. They will find odd smells we people leave behind, like chemicals, fabrics, or perfumes. And, if you let them explore new places, it’s like Christmas morning and opening the gifts!
The best part of this is that you can go on an adventure with your best friend. It’s the time to bond even more with our dogs. I am not saying you should rummage through the bushes in the park with them, but pay attention to what they are interested in. Lift a rock, look at what they are looking at, or take them to a new spot.
If you have more than two dogs, it’s even better. Sniffing, walking, and exploring are how dogs strengthen bonds between them. They are doing something together. You’ll feel more connected with your friends watching a movie together, than just talking about it. The same goes for dogs, but instead of watching a movie, they sniff the path they are walking on.
What If You Don’t Walk Your Dog Enough?
You would be surprised how many people think their Shelties or Vizlas are misbehaving because “it’s their nature” or “they are too much to handle”. If you are wondering this too, ask yourself how many daily walks or activities your dog gets. Is it just a quick morning walk and another half-hour walk in the evening? Is your naturally highly energetic dog alone through the day with nothing to do, but wait for you and that 30-minute walk? If the answer is yes, you need to change some things.
Not all breeds need the same amount and length of daily walks. But they all need it. And, they all need the mental stimulation they get from those walks. If you don’t give your dog enough daily mental and physical stimulation, they can turn boredom into anxiety, depression, destructive behavior, misbehavior, or even aggression.
Misbehaviors such as scratching furniture, suddenly peeing in the house, chewing on shoes or other objects they shouldn’t chew, whining and barking, or even acting aggressively are all possibilities if a dog doesn’t get enough walks.
Important: We are talking about misbehavior from lack of mental and physical stimulation. Misbehavior can also be a consequence of a health issue. Before addressing any behavioral issue, first, take your dog to a vet to make sure they don’t have a health issue.
Breeds Need Different Lengths of Daily Walks
As mentioned, not all breeds need the same amount of walks every day, or in other words, not all breeds need the same amount of mental and physical stimulation. Some dogs were bred to work all day long and they have a lot of energy. These dogs are sporting or hunting dogs, such as:
The other group of highly energetic dogs are herding dogs, such as:
- Border Collie
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Belgian Malinois
These are just some of the highly energetic dog breeds, a few examples. Every dog is unique and you might come across a lazy Brittany. Paying attention to your dog’s energy and needs is the best way to determine how active your dog is.
Of course, you won’t find a Bulldog that wants to run laps for hours, but they need activity and mental stimulation too. Even if you have a low-energy dog, that doesn’t mean you can leave them alone and just take them out for a quick walk. Remember, a walk is like the door to the world for dogs.
Walks have nothing to do with size. All dogs, big and small, want to know what is happening in the world around them. All dogs want to smell the world around them, preferably with their favorite person – you.
Final Thoughts
The main thing I want you to remember after reading this article is just how important it is to take your dog for a walk. It’s a crucial part of their happiness and well-being! We can’t always give them the same amount of adventure as they would want us to give them, but if we strive to be better and do our best, we’ll make our dogs happier and healthier. Walking is in the dog’s DNA. Just like their ancestors patrolled territory to sniff the news, your dog has that need too. We domesticated the dogs, but there will always be a “wild” or instinctual part in their DNA that will never be erased and shouldn’t be.
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