How Often Do You Walk Your Dog

Walking your dog regularly will spell health not only for it but for you as well. It is a great pastime and allows you to better bond with your four-legged companion. Furthermore, it feels great when you take your dog for a walk in the park and very enjoyable too. But the question remains. How often should you walk your dog? How much should you let it walk in winter and summer? What should the normal duration be for different breeds? Well, we are here to answer all of these questions and facilitate you in all manners possible. So, read on and prepare to be better educated in this regard.

How Often Should a Dog be walked?

There is a consensus amongst all experts that a dog should be taken for a dog 3 to 4 times a week and be walked for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This duration can vary from one dog to another and is dependent upon the following parameters:

• Your dog’s breed
• Its size, age, and health
• Your dog’s habits in eating

For smaller dogs, going for one walk daily is enough but for dogs with greater energy, one time might not be sufficient. You might also be a person with a penchant for working out so much a dog will suit you. But, if you aren’t then it is still ok. Most people are clueless about the time and duration that they should invest in walking their dog. If you want some pointers then it is good that you consult your vet towards this end.

Dog Breeds and Required Level of Activity

All dogs belong to different breeds or groups and each of them has its requirements in terms of activity and exercise. You will need to get your dog the level of exercise and walking that it needs per its breed. Pointers, collies, shepherds belong to the working or sporting breeds and their exercise demand is greater than smaller dogs like papillons, Yorkshire terriers, lapdogs, etc. Now, some dogs have a penchant for exercising and are naturally athletic. On the other hand, some are lazier and are content to sleep and lounge about. This isn’t necessarily due to the dog’s breed but also because of the dog’s natural inclination.

The Dog’s Age

If you have a young dog then it will require more walking and exercising than middle-aged dogs. Similarly, the latter will require more exercise than senior dogs that are over 9 years of age. Your younger pups will also spend more time playing as well. But, it isn’t a case of age in certain cases since some middle-aged dogs are very eager to play but health conditions like muscle atrophy, diabetes, arthritis, etc. hamper this fervor significantly.

The Dog’s Tolerance towards Exercise

Most dogs can easily endure walks of about 20 to 30 minutes in duration daily if they are sound and strong in body. Dogs with athletic and greater than average body condition can even go for 2 hours walks and more. However, if your dog is obese or overweight then even a 10-minute walk might be monumentally difficult for it.

To get a rough idea about your dog’s tolerance level towards walks, note its pace at the start and end of the walk. If it starts at a brisk and energetic pace then that is pretty good. Notice when it starts to tire and slow down. It may be after 20 minutes or about 30 minutes and you should make a mental note of it. When you head home, notice your dog’s pace yet again. Has its pace slowed down even more? Is it too tired now? Does it go home, drink a lot of water and then crash on its sleeping pad for hours? Then this means that you have pushed it over its tolerance threshold.

We recommend that you make a mental note of the time when your dog begins to lower its brisk pace during walks and when it starts to tire. This will provide you with a rough idea about how long a dog can be walked. Also, if you want to improve its walking pace and timing then it is a good idea to take it out daily and regularly without fail.

The Owner’s Schedule

Your schedule plays an important part in determining how often and for how long you take your dog for a walk. We recommend that you at least get your dog to walk for about 150 minutes at least every week. However, your schedule or busy life might not allow for such an optimal experience. Under such conditions, you could hire a person for walking your dog. But, if that isn’t an option then we still recommend that you set aside at least 10 to 15 minutes daily for your dog. While it isn’t the best option but hey, something is better than nothing right?

Why Walk your Dog?

There are many benefits to be garnered when you start walking your dog regularly and consistently. The first is that your dog’s social behavior will improve considerably. Also, your bond with your dog will be improved considerably. The most important and prominent advantage of them all is that your dog will become healthier, stronger, effervescent, and will live a long and energetic life. This will also distract your canine pal from adverse habits like scratching and chewing if it is prone to them.

But, that is not all that you can look forward to because walking your dog entails benefits for you as well. You will become healthier and fitter when you start walking with your dog daily. These walks will regulate your blood pressure, make your bones stronger, mitigate your risk of diabetes, and more. So, what are your waiting for? Start getting into the groove, invest in a good walking harness for your dog, and get those walking shoes out of the closet and start walking. Trust us, this is one decision that will have long-term salubrious effects for both you and your dog.