IT’S NATIONAL WALK YOUR DOG WEEK
“Oh, we have a big yard.???
This is the answer I most often receive from clients when I ask about a dogs’ daily exercise. This always causes me to give a small sigh and realize that our conversation has just begun. At what point did walking our dogs become so much effort, or take so much time, that we convinced ourselves that our yards were enough? And what is the definition of big? A half acre? An acre? 10 acres?
I have met very few, and I mean a VERY FEW, dogs who would exercise themselves thoroughly in a yard space. A healthy, active dog should get 30 minutes of aerobic activity (i.e. walking, jogging) at least once a day to meet its minimum requirements. A younger dog or more active breed should get twice that. There isn’t a “yard??? big enough to allow that. And it’s not just about exercise; it is also about stimulation and social bonding.
While out, a dog’s senses are taking in the world via its eyes, ears and that all important nose. Dogs’ senses are so well tuned that most dogs know every inch of their yard 2 or 3 days after arriving at your home. Seasonal changes and rainfall may alter scent, but overall your yard changes very little in a dogs mind. So getting out for a walk is what recharges their brain and believe it or not, helps you and your dog bond. Traveling together is one of the most important social activities in a dogs’ life. Wild dogs do almost everything as a group and nothing cements those relationships like doing a favorite activity together. I often recommend that owners with newly rescued adult dogs (older than 6 mos.) make a walk part of their daily routine to help their dogs bond with them and other family members. For a dog this is quality “family time???. Even in your yard your dog would much rather you be out there with them. They already know every inch, so where’s the fun sitting out there by yourself. In that case, they might create their own activities, such as digging, pulling up some plants, or when all else fails, bark until someone responds.
So what if your dog is shy and overwhelmed by the outside world, or reactive to other dogs or people? Then start slow, preferably with the help of a professional trainer, to help your dog overcome these fear based behaviors. You are doing your dog no favors by secluding it from the outside world and a trainer can show how to make this experience fun for you and your dog. Trainers can also help with the dog that drags you down the street, or the one that bounds along like a deer. Walking your dog should be a pleasant experience, not make you feel like the losing contestant at a rodeo. Besides, a responsive, controlled dog will get far more out of walk than an out of control, overly excited dog.
This week is National Walk Your Dog week so let’s get out there!
