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5 Reasons Why Dogs Need Walks

Dog walking on moorland

As the saying goes, dogs are man’s best friend, and one of the best ways to show them love and care is through regular walks. Not only are walks a fun and enjoyable activity for both dogs and their owners, but they also serve a variety of important purposes for a dog’s overall well-being. In this article, we will discuss 5 reasons why dogs need regular walks. From exercise to mental stimulation, socialization to bonding, as well as potty training, regular walks play a crucial role in keeping dogs healthy and happy.

1. The Physical Benefits

One of the most obvious reasons why dogs need regular walks is for exercise. Physical activity is essential for dogs of all ages and breeds to maintain good health, just as it is for us humans.

Frequent walks allow dogs to move their bodies, build muscle tone and strength, and improve cardiovascular health. Furthermore, dogs that get enough exercise are less likely to become overweight, which reduces the risk of getting health issues such as joint problems and diabetes. 

It’s also a good way of letting your dog expend their energy in a positive way. We’ve found that if we put off going on our evening walk, Flynn will be bouncing off the walls (usually literally)! This is because he has loads of spare energy that he wants to use up. Taking him on a walk allows him to do this in a way that’s both exciting for him and also not going to cause damage to my interior furnishings.

2. Mental Stimulation

In addition to the physical benefits of regular walks, dogs also need regular walks for mental stimulation. Boredom is a common problem for dogs, especially if they are left alone for long periods of time while you’re out of the house. A lack of mental stimulation (coupled with the pent-up energy mentioned in the previous section) can lead to destructive behavior, such as chewing and digging. 

Regular walks provide an opportunity for dogs to explore new sights, smells, and sounds. We rely on sight as our main sense for understanding the world, but for dogs it’s their sense of smell. Dogs experience the world through their noses, and get more information from the scents they pick than they do from any other sense.

This is why your dog stops to sniff everything (we’ve taken Flynn on walks where his nose doesn’t leave the ground) – they’re simply harvesting information. Because their sense of smell is so developed, when sniffing another dog they can pick up on details such as the dogs gender, age, and health status.

So when you take your dog out for a walk and allow them to sniff, you’re giving their brains a really good workout as they process all the new information left for them by other dogs in the neighbourhood.

Dog standing on stone embankment
Dog running through woodland

3. Socialization

Another important reason why dogs need regular walks is for socialization. Socialization is the process of exposing dogs to different people, animals, and environments in a positive and controlled way. It’s essential for dogs to be well-socialized, as it helps them to become well-adjusted, confident, and friendly adults.

If you keep your dog inside all the time, they won’t have the opportunity to meet other dogs and people, and therefore won’t know how to behave correctly when it happens. This can result in your dog displaying fearful or aggressive behaviour when faced with a new experience. By taking your dog on regular walks from a young age, you’ll get the chance to guide how they react to new stimuli.

4. Bonding

Regular walks are also an opportunity for dogs and their owners to bond. Bonding is an essential aspect of the relationship between dogs and their owners. It is the process of building trust, mutual understanding, and a sense of teamwork between the both of you. Walking together gives the chance for you and your dog to spend quality time together, where you can communicate and interact with each other.

Building trust is crucial for dogs. Dogs are pack animals and they rely on their owners to provide them with safety, security, and protection. When dogs trust their owners, they feel more relaxed and confident, which can lead to better behavior and overall well-being. Walking provides a space for dogs to build trust with their owners by exposing them to different stimuli in a controlled environment.

Mutual understanding is also essential for dogs and their owners to have a healthy relationship. Dogs communicate differently than humans, so it is important for owners to understand their dog’s behavior and body language. By going on walks together every day, you’ll have the opportunity to observe how your dog communicates. Over time you’ll get a better understanding of what they’re trying to tell you with their body language.

5. Potty Training

Last but not least, going on regular walks gives you a chance to effectively potty train your dog. If they’re cooped up in the house all day, they’re only going to go to the toilet inside the house. If you take them for walks every day though, you’re giving them the opportunity to relieve themselves outside.

To capitalize on this, take a bag of treats with you every time you go for a walk. Every time your dog goes to the toilet, positively reward them with a treat and lots of fusses. Make sure to wait until they’ve completely finished their business before you do though – if you’re too early with the celebrations, they might get too excited and cut things off prematurely.

If you’re consistent with this, your dog will soon get the message that the outside is only appropriate place to go to the toilet. You might even find that they routinely go to the toilet on a walk over doing it in the back garden, like we have. Flynn rarely does his business in garden nowadays, as he tends to get it out of his system while we’re out walking. Regular walking is a great way to reinforce good toilet habits with your dog.

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