Did you know that there's a "Don't Walk Your Dog" Day? Many people would read that and think it means depriving your dog of what it needs. The reality is that taking a walk is not itself a need. It can be a means to meeting many needs a dog has, but is not, in and of itself, a need.
If you live in a rural location, this may not seem like a big deal. You may rarely or never "walk" your dog in a neighborhood. Your dog might be a farm dog, getting exercise out on a farm. Or they might get to roam in the woods, following their nose along trails or through the forest. However, If you live in an urban or suburban setting, then walking the dog may seem like a must.
But is it really? If you have a fearful dog, or a dog that is reactive to other dogs and/or people, then taking a walk can be fraught with triggers. It can be emotionally and mentally exhausting for both you and your dog to try and navigate walking through the neighborhood. If you have a young puppy, neighborhood walks can be overwhelming if you encounter too many new things, people or other animals. Young puppies typically feel safer closer to home, and trying to force them to go on walks can make them even more reluctant to explore. If you have a dogolescent (adolescent dog), then you might feel like you have to be on high alert throughout the walk for anything that might make your dog become overly excited or concerned. Walks can end up making your dogolescent more aroused instead of calmer.
There is no doubt that a good walk for many dogs can meet several needs: physical exercise, sensory enrichment, mental exercise, social time to name a few. It also gives them an opportunity to relieve themselves outside of your home. And a good walk can serve important human needs as well. We may need some outside time, physical exercise, mental engagement and social time. I know that a walk in the park can really give me a positive mood boost.
A walk is not the only way to meet your dog's needs. In fact, if your dog is not one of the "many" that enjoy or benefit from a walk, then taking them for a walk in the neighborhood can actually be detrimental to both of you. When Fisher was young and more likely to get spun up instead of decompress, we timed most of our walks carefully to avoid times that we would be likely to run into more people or dogs, and tried to find some other ways to engage his mind and body.
Need some ideas other than taking a walk to meet some of your dog's needs?
If you have a yard, play with your dog in your yard. You can try a flirt pole, frisbee, soccer ball, or smaller rubber ball and let your dog use their chasing skills.
Live in an apartment? If you have a small dog you may be able to play in the hallway when no one else is around.
Let your dog shred cardboard or paper. Or, make a "shredding" toy with strips of fabric stuffed inside something.
Get a box and fill it with some toys. Throw some kibble or treats in and let your dog dig around to find the treats.
Rent a Sniff Spot area so you can go someplace new without other dogs or people around.
Do some training games with your dog.
Take your dog for swimming lessons/ sessions.
Hang out with your dog. Maybe that's in your living room, or maybe it is outside on your patio.
Find some safe odors for your dog to sniff. Herbs like peppermint and basil, fur from another animal , bedding from small animals, objects that have been in someone else's home are some examples.
Teach some scentwork to your dog.
If your dog has a compatible dog friend, have a play date. Or a hang out together date if playing with another dog isn't your dog's thing.
So, be creative. Even if walking your dog is a joy, it's good to mix things up a bit. And if walking your dog isn't enjoyable for either one of you, it is important to find other ways to provide enrichment and meet your dog's needs. It's time that we swung back to thinking of walks as optional, not required, activities with our dogs.
Do you have a dogolescent that struggles with going for walks? Do you want help and strategies to get through your dog's teenage phase? Check out my "Adolescence with Less Angst" program!
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