When considering whether to get a dog, there are a few different things you should ask yourself – am I at home enough? Can I afford the vet bills? And, the old classic – am I willing to take that dog for regular walks?
Everyone knows that dogs need to get out regularly to stay fit and, ultimately, happy. Yet, studies reveal that as many as 40% of owners don’t walk their dogs regularly, with some not walking their dogs at all.
Some readers may be gasping in horror at that fact, especially if you’re one of those people who religiously walks their dog twice a day. Or, perhaps you consider yourself amongst that 40%? You clearly aren’t alone, but that doesn’t mean things don’t need to change. Keep on reading to find out why.
Why Do Dogs Need Walks?
It isn’t difficult to understand why dogs need to walk. Just imagine your own life. Would you feel at your best, physically or mentally, if you only ever saw the same four walls? Walks serve to stimulate dogs, enabling them to meet other pooches, stretch their legs, and generally have a jolly time.
But, let’s look at this from a slightly more scientific angle. Stephanie Borns-Weil, an assistant clinical professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine states that, while the specific amounts vary from 30 minutes to a few hours, all dogs need regular walks. What’s more, there’s strong scientific evidence to back this claim. Studies have previously shown that dogs who don’t have their needs met (such as the need for companionship and mental stimulation), are at as much risk of long-term chronic stress as humans would be in the same situation.
There’s also an argument that not taking your dogs for walks will have an impact on their natural behaviours. For instance, dogs have as many as 300 million olfactory receptors which allow them to understand their environments, who has passed through, and even let them communicate. This is why dogs sniff so much during an average walk and is a natural need that they simply can’t fulfil across the same old smells in the backyard.
Understanding the Problem
Many dog owners don’t consider walks important for obvious reasons. We’re all busy, after all, and walking can be the last thing on our minds. Furthermore, when questioned for a study, owners who didn’t walk their dogs cited two main reasons for this oversight, which were a lack of motivation, and also a lack of social support from dogs during those walks.
Dog behaviours can also have an impact, with owners who deal with issues such as aggression or lead pulling having far less incentive to get outside. But, this is ultimately a double-edged issue, with behaviour more liable to worsen when dogs are kept indoors.
The problem of not walking may be multi-faceted, but the outcome is almost always the same – unfulfilled dogs, and owners who don’t enjoy the best that a relationship with their four-legged companion could bring.
Is there a solution?
As is always the case with a problem of this nature, there is a solution to the no-walk conundrum. Or, rather, there are a few depending on your situation and reason for not walking, including –
- Choosing the right time of day: Whether your dog struggles with areas of high traffic or you’re pushed for time, choosing the right time of day for a walk is key. Ultimately, you can take your dog out whenever it works for you both, even if that’s after dark. Simply get into a workable routine and stick with it.
- Embarking on behavioural training: Seeking behavioural dog training services is key if you don’t walk due to issues like lead pulling. A professional trainer can arm you with coping techniques, and training to overcome the problem. Both of these will make walks more enjoyable for everyone.
- Walk with others: With many owners reporting that they feel lonely while working with their dogs, walking as a group, couple, or family could be the ideal solution. Company on a dog walk simply makes the whole thing better. If the people you’re walking with also have dogs, there’s a bonus here of your dog getting the chance to socialise in a way they simply don’t at home.
We get it – walking your dog can be a tough thing to fit in, but let this article serve as a reminder that it’s time you stopped knocking this vital task from your to-do list.
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