Walking your dog should be part of your daily routine. Indeed, dogs need daily exercise just like humans, and a short walk can bring many benefits.
Regularly walking your dog is an easy exercise that has a positive effect on several different aspects of your dog’s health, weight, and behavior. For many years pet owners believed that regular walks with their dogs would help their furry friends stay healthy, fit and active. As more and more pet owners are beginning to realize the beneficial effects of regular dog walking, more and more pet owners are finding ways to incorporate it into their daily routines.
How long should you walk your puppy?
Every dog is different, each needing the right amount of exercise to release their energy. Whether you personally walk your dog or are considering hiring a dog walker, like h&h dog walkers, it’s important to know how long your dog needs to be walked.
Here are some tips to get started:
1) Limit puppies to five minutes of exercise
Puppies can tire extremely quickly. That’s why, as a guideline, many people give their puppies five minutes of exercise for every month they turn of age.
For example, if your puppy is 6 months old, you should walk him for 30 minutes. If your pup is 3 months old, a 15-minute walk should be enough to tire him out.
2) Don’t overwork your puppy
While exercising with your puppy is essential, you should always be aware of how much effort you are putting in with your puppy. Most dogs don’t need any form of extreme exercise, but a relaxing walk should be more than enough to tire your pup out.
Exercising with your dog also helps him explore the world and learn about the things around him. If your dog stops to sniff, let him figure it out on his own and don’t rush him or try to get things done. Always be sure to pay close attention to how your puppy reacts to exercise.
3) Pay attention to your puppy’s body language
If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you’ve probably seen him play when he was younger. If you observe, you will notice that your dog will play for a few minutes and then lie down and relax for a few more minutes. Your dog is the only one who knows his limits. Therefore, always pay close attention to your dog’s behavior.
If your puppy seems tired and wants to lie down or doesn’t want to go on anymore, he’s probably trying to tell you that you need to slow down and he needs a break.
4) Playing time counts as exercise
Puppies have low energy, which is why you don’t need to do much activity with your pet until he grows up. When your puppy is young, he doesn’t even need to go on walks. This is especially true for giant breeds, as they tire faster than other breeds.
Having a few minutes of playtime in your yard can be more than enough exercise for your pup.
5) Buy interactive toys
There are plenty of toys on the market that are designed to not only exercise your dog’s body, but their mind as well. Interactive toys are great for helping your dog learn and develop. These toys will also help tire your dog out in a fun way.
The use of these toys is recommended when your dog has to be left alone for a long time. This way your dog can get tired without you walking him.
Besides the distraction of being home all day, we’ll talk about some of the other benefits of walking your dog daily.
1) Give your pup a healthier lifestyle
If you want to see a positive difference in your dog’s overall health, you definitely need to make walking your dog part of your daily routine.
Regular walks will help keep your dog fit, healthy and happy. It will also ensure that your dog has plenty of fresh air to breathe, which is extremely important to them.
Dogs that don’t get the exercise they need have an increased risk of being overweight or obese because. Being overweight carries many health risks for dogs, such as a shorter lifespan, diabetes, joint problems, and even heart disease. By walking your dog regularly, you can help prevent all of these problems.
2) Helps you stay healthier
Walking your dog can also help you maintain your own health. Walking helps reduce stress, which is good for your overall mental and physical health.
Exercise can also help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. Regular walks can also improve your relationship with your dog.
3) Help control your dog’s behavior
Most dog breeds were bred for a specific task or job, be it hunting, tracking, working, or hunting livestock. However, most dogs no longer work as they used to and are used to a comfortable life as a pet. Even so, most dogs still have their natural working instincts and need daily exercise.
If you don’t allow it, your dog might start showing behavioral issues like chewing, jumping up on people, and destroying property, which is not your dog’s fault. Instead, it’s just their way of telling you that they’re bored and need some kind of activity to keep their minds occupied.
Conclusion
Keeping your dog healthy is very important. If you don’t walk your dog every day, he may become overweight, develop health problems, or develop behavioral problems that can lead to aggression or destruction.
Walking your dog is the first step in caring for your pet. It’s a simple yet powerful way to show your love and respect for your pet. Always be sure to take extra care when walking your dog. Also, remember not to overwork your dog or put him in a dangerous situation.