Making the Most of Your Dog's Walks

We usually think of dog walks in terms of physical exercise, but distance isn't the only measure of a good walk. The best walk can look completely different depending on the dog, and even the day.

Exercise as a Goal

For a healthy and energetic dog, a brisk walk can provide much-needed movement and an outlet to burn off some energy. For a senior dog, that same walk may be shorter and/or slower as their needs change.

And for a dog recovering from injury, illness, or surgery, walks can serve a completely different purpose. Controlled leash walking is commonly encouraged as part of rehabilitation, when duration and intensity are determined by their vet team. **Source

Sniffing and Exploration

Dogs experience an enormous amount of the world around them through scent, so when they stop to investigate something on walks, it's not necessarily wasted time. The mailbox, a tree, or that really interesting patch of grass is giving your dog an opportunity to engage in natural behavior and use one of their most powerful senses.

Research in this area is still growing, but we're learning that there may be a welfare-based reason to allow and even encourage scent-based enrichment for companion dogs. **More here

Building Confidence

For puppies, newly adopted dogs, or dogs who can be anxious or reactive, success may not mean covering another mile.

It may mean watching a bicycle go by. Exploring a new surface. Hearing a strange new sound while feeling safe with a supportive human by their side. Or simply venturing farther than the last time.

Positive, controlled exposure to different people, places, sounds, animals, and experiences is an important part of puppy development and socialization. And that should happen without overwhelming the dog. **Source

Walking Goals Can Change

The same dog may need different things throughout their lifetime, or even on different days. Exercise. Enrichment. Confidence. Socialization. Recovery. A chance to sniff and explore. Or some combination of them all.

That's why at Buckaroo Buddies, we don't judge a successful Trail Walk by how many miles we covered.

We look at what your dog needed from their walk - and whether they got it.

Every Dog Deserves a Walk That Works for Them

Whether your dog is a power walker, a professional sniffer, or somewhere in between, we're happy to come along and make their time outside count!