The Benefits of Dog Walking: A Win-Win for Dogs and Their Owners

Walking a dog is more than just a routine chore; it’s an enriching experience that offers a multitude of benefits for you and your dog! In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of dog walking, with emphasis on how you can provide socialization opportunities and access to new experiences, as well as how walking can help maintain your dog's physical and mental health.

Socialization Opportunities

One of the many benefits of walking your dog is the chance for socialization. Dogs are social animals, and regular walks expose them to various stimuli, including other dogs, people, and different environments. This exposure helps them develop essential social and life skills; experiencing lots of different situations and environments can foster a more balanced temperament.

Think about the first time you do a new activity, for example playing tennis for the first time, it can be nerve wracking and you more than likely won't be very good at it. As you learn skills to become better at tennis, you notice that you are more coordinated in your daily life, your reactions improve and you get fitter. The same concept applies to dogs, they need to practice and be exposed to different challenges to learn and grow in themselves. When you first introduce your puppy to a new dog, it can be scary and exciting for both of you; your puppy could be over excited or anxious, and will most likely not know how to read the other dog's body language very well. As your puppy meets more dogs, you will notice that they start to become more attuned to other dogs' behaviour cues, helping them to navigate new dog meetings with ease. Studies show that dogs that have been restricted from access to socialisation opportunities are 'significantly less likely to display friendly behaviour' towards people, and generally exhibit obvious ineptitudes in coping with social situations with both dogs and humans (1), further highlighting the need to expose your dog to lots of different situations and experiences throughout their life.

Dog walks can also provide socialisation opportunities for you too! How many times have you stopped to chat with someone just so you could say hi to their dog? Walks provide a unique opportunity to meet other dog lovers, share experiences, and even forge new friendships. Engaging with the community can lead to valuable connections and support systems, enhancing the overall experience of dog ownership.

Access to New Experiences and Different Environments

Each walk can be an adventure for your dog. Exploring new parks, trails and areas allows them to encounter different sights, sounds, and smells, which can be very mentally stimulating. Breaking the monotony of everyday life with a walk with your beloved pooch can help you explore nature, slow down and appreciate the beauty around you; who wouldn't want to take a break from the chaos of life every now and then!

When walking with your dog, it's easy to get caught up on the distance you cover together. Of course, dogs need to run and explore, but an enrichment walk focusing on sniffing and/or training can be just as stimulating (if not more so) than a long hike. It is well known that dogs have an amazing sense of sense of smell, as we see the world, a dog smells it, as the old saying goes. A dog's nose has hundreds of millions more olfactory (sense of smell) cells lining the epithelium than the human nose (2) and the olfactory bulb and cortex (how the dog processes what they are smelling) are highly developed compared to the same regions in the human brain (3). This means that a greater portion of their brain is dedicated to investigating and processing smells, its no wonder dogs seem to want to sniff everything, its how they understand the world! It takes a lot of brain power to investigate and process all those smells out on a walk; if you let your dog lead the walk with their nose, you will often find you have one tired out pooch. Try a sniff focused walk every now and then and see how your dog enjoys it! Wherever you are walking, whether it be a peaceful stroll along the beach, or a jog through a bustling city, each walk offers new experiences for your dog. Get out there and enjoy!

Maintaining Physical and Mental Health

Regular dog walking is great for helping to maintaining your dog's physical and mental health. Dogs need variety in their lives, and walking your dog everyday gives them access to this. As discussed above, walks help regulate a dog's mental health by offering opportunities for new experiences, socialisation and exercise, stimulating their brain and leaving them fulfilled. Consistent, regular exercise can also help manage your dog's weight, which can be a particular concern in certain breeds prone to easy weight gain, such as Labrador Retrievers, Beagles and Cocker Spaniels (4).

Across the globe, obesity has become an increasingly prevalent health concern; overweight and obese animals have increased risk of developing health concerns such as orthopaedic, skin, heart and kidney diseases (5). Although there can be several factors that could lead to a dog becoming obese, fortunately, the biggest cause is entirely preventable: too much food and not enough exercise. Walking with your dog can help to reduce the risk of obesity but must be balanced with proper food intake, as well as considering your dogs' breed type and energy levels. There is a lot of conflicting information about what food you should feed your dog, how much exercise they should have, how long they should rest etc., and trying to do what's best for you dog can seem like a dauting choice! If you are ever unsure about what is best for your dog, the most experienced and knowledgeable person to speak to is generally your vet.

Conclusion

Dog walking is a rewarding activity that benefits both dogs and their owners in numerous ways. From socialization and exposure to new experiences, to maintaining physical and mental health, the advantages are clear. Whether you’re an avid hiker or prefer more leisurely strolls, embracing the joys of walking can lead to a happier, healthier life for both you and your furry friend. So grab that lead, step outside, and enjoy the many benefits that dog walking has to offer! If you would like more information on how I can help provide your furry friend with great adventures on their walks, please reach out using my contact form.

References

(1) McEvoy, V., Baqueiro Espinosa, U., Crump, A. and Arnott, G. (2022) Canine Socialisation: A Narrative Systematic Review’, Animals, 12

(2) Lindsay, S. R. (2000). . Handbook of applied dog behavior and training (Vol. 1) Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing.

(3) Horowitz, A., Hecht, J. and Dedrick, A. (2013) Smelling more or less: Investigating the olfactory experience of the domestic dog. Learning and Motivation 44. 207-217

(5) Banton, S., von Massow, M., Pezzali, J.G., Verbrugghe, A., and Shoveller, A.K. (2022) 'Jog with your dog: Dog owner exercise routines predict dog exercise routines and perception of ideal body weight', *PLOS ONE*, 17(8), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272299

(5) Bland IM, Guthrie-Jones A, Taylor RD, Hill J. Dog obesity: Owner attitudes and behaviour. Prev Vet Med. 2009; 92(4):333–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.08.016 PMID: 19766333