Walking your dog is a basic requirement of care needed to keep your pet in good health. Taking the dog for a walk lets it release all the pent up energy it has obtained from being indoors that it can’t express properly within the confines of the home.
Dog’s love to explore and discover new smells and mixing up the routes you take your dog on is a perfect way to keep them excited, engaged and interested.
The length of time each day needed for your dog to let off some steam in the great outdoors varies not only by the size and age of your dog, but also the breed.
Some dogs over the centuries have been bred to be working dogs, that have been required to spend great lengths of time moving without tiredness. Thus, some dogs have a huge quota of energy to get rid of. Others have been bred simply as lap dogs. A Chihuahua won’t need as much exercise as a Springer Spaniel.
As an absolute minimum, you should try and fit at least twenty minutes out of your day to take your dog out for a walk. If possible, letting your dog off the leash at a park for twenty minutes will be more tiring for him than twenty minutes around the block as he can run about as he pleases. This time does not include time outside during the day to allow your dog to use the toilet. If you can, it’s always best to strive to give your dog as much time outside as you can.
To walk your dog, all you’ll need is a leash and a harness or collar. Harnesses provide better support and control over the dog as it takes all the energy from the dogs shoulders and upper back. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with walking your dog with a leash just attached to a collar, any sudden jarring and pulling on the leash can cause straining on the dogs neck.
The collar/harness should be fitted snuggly, but loose enough so that you can easily slip two fingers under it – Giving the dog a comfortable fit.
It is often said that if you ever want to make new friends, get a dog. Walking your dog is not only a social activity for the dogs themselves, but also the owners. And getting outside for a brisk walk is also a great way to exercise and keep active yourself without really noticing.
