Get up and go

16th May 2024

Walking your dog doesn’t have to be mundane. It can be fun, rewarding and informative

How long should a dog walk be? 
The length of a dog walk will depend on your dog’s fitness, age, breed, size and if they have any medical conditions. Therefore, a long walk might not be what’s best for your dog. A shorter walk which involves lots of interactions with their surroundings could be a better option.

Short dog walks 
Older dogs with joint problems or other medical conditions and young puppies will need shorter walks as they will tire more quickly. A good way to keep a walk short is to visit a small park and let your dog exercise as much or as little as they want to. A small circular walk could also work well because you could do just one circuit and take extra circuits if your dog wants to carry on.

Long dog walks 
Large, young, energetic breeds of dogs can be taken on longer walks or even runs. Never push your dog to do more than they appear comfortable with though. If your dog loves running, try cycling alongside them, but only if there’s enough room to do so safely. Also, be prepared to cycle slowly at times if your dog slows the pace. Always walk or run at your dog’s speed rather than making them match your pace.

Walk time frame 
For more guidance on the length of time that a dog walk should be, the PDSA have some walk length guidelines by breed that you may find helpful, view here.

How to tailor a dog walk to meet your dog’s needs?
Dogs of different ages, breeds and health have different requirements. When it comes to a dog walk, one size certainly doesn’t fit all. Here are some things to consider before you set out.

A puppy’s requirements 
Unlike older dogs, puppies should only take short walks so that they don’t tire too quickly. Whilst on a walk, you’ll want to consider training them as part of the outing. Make sure you have everything you need with you before you set out, whether that’s a clicker or treats, to teach them the basics.

Interactive toys 
Many dogs might find just walking boring, so to keep them entertained on the walk, take toys to play their favourite outdoor game whilst you are out on the walk. This could be a ball, frisbee or tug toy.

Walk route 
You can choose where to take your dog for a walk, but it’s a good idea to let your dog choose the specific route so that they can get the most out of their walk and the most enrichment from it. This means that rather than forcing your dog to stick to the path, allow them to wander to investigate the undergrowth or choose which path you both take. Dogs get enjoyment from being able to investigate the environment around them. Turn the walk into an adventure by exploring new places or wooded areas that offer lots of places to explore and things to climb on.

Walks in the dark 
When the nights start drawing in it’s likely that you’ll need to take your dog for a walk in the dark. Make sure that you and your dog are visible to keep you both safe.

You might like to consider the following:

• High viz indicator or jacket for you and your dog
• A torch – head torches work well as they are hands-free
• Bright clothing

Bad weather walking 
Rain or snow shouldn’t stop you from taking your dog for a walk. After all, your dog needs daily exercise all year round.

These are just a few things you and your dog might need:

• Waterproof clothing or an umbrella
• Waterproof shoes for walking through puddles
• A coat for your dog in cold weather

What makes a good dog walk?
Making your dog’s walk varied and interesting will help to stimulate them mentally as well as physically, which is important for your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. Here we look at what makes a good dog walk.

The route 
If you can vary where you take your dog for a walk, this can keep your dog interested on a day-to-day basis. Why not hop in the car and explore a few different walks in the area? Varying the location can make the walk more interesting for you too.

The usual route 
If you don’t have much time to explore different routes, then take steps to make their usual route as varied and interesting as possible. Follow different paths, take a circular route in the opposite direction, or introduce different games along the walk.

Play games 
Fetch, frisbee or a game of tug can break up a walk and add a bit of interest, especially if the walk includes a park where you can let your dog run long distances.

Exploration 
Keeping your dog on a lead close to heel can be very frustrating for a dog when you are out for a walk and there are lots of interesting things for them to explore. Take them on a walk where they are safe to be let off the lead so that they can interact with the world around them. If they stop to sniff something, don’t be tempted to pull them away as they may find this frustrating, and be sure to take the walk at your dog’s pace.

Socialising 
Taking a walk is the perfect time for your dog to socialise with other dogs as well as people. Ask other dog owners before allowing your dog to approach their dog and allow them to play together as long as the play doesn’t become too rough. If your dog is happy to be approached, allow other people and children to stroke and interact with your dog. Giving your dog access to lots of different types of people can help their social skills, especially while they are still a puppy.

Running 
Pick up the pace and try running with your dog. If you have a big, active dog you could even try cycling whilst your dog runs beside you. Make sure you do this safely in a location that has a wide cycle-friendly path away from busy roads.

Equipment 
Use a collar or harness and lead that your dog is comfortable with. If the weather is cold and your dog is prone to feeling the chill, give them a doggie jumper or coat to wear. On hot days or long walks, take a collapsible water bowl and bottle of water for your dog to keep them hydrated. You could give your dog reflective clothing to wear too, or even a light to wear on their collar. Give your dog an Animo® Activity and Behaviour monitor so that you can track how much exercise your dog is getting and set daily activity goals.

In addition to activity Animo also monitors behaviour providing you with a more detailed picture of your dog’s health and wellbeing including barking, scratching and shaking, learning and interpreting the unique activity and behaviour patterns of your dog.

Achieve your goals together and have fun creating fun and engaging walks, download the full guide here