Why You Should Walk Your Dog Daily -- Even If It's Only For Five Minutes!

My rescued puppy mill senior can’t walk, but he gets carried for walks every day. He loves watching nature while we walk❤

That dog looooves that dude. You can see it.

Going on those daily walks is also a benefit to us owners.

I walk run my dogs 2 miles every morning Mon-Fri. It’s a looong 2 miles stopping to sniff stuff, watch rabbits, deer, potty. It’s good for all our mental health. Weekends are for running in private dog parks and long hikes. My super reactive dog returned numerous times to the shelter has calmed down a lot with a consistent schedule and lots of opportunity to explore the world around her.

My beagle doesn't go on walks. He goes on hunts. He sees the world through his nose. We walk him twice a day as he needs his sniff time.

Dogs need to pick up their pee-mail! 😂

I like to tell people that it's not so much a "walk" as a "stop and sniff" sometimes. they're checking their messages and posting their own. imagine if smells were as unique and distinct to us as as visuals, that's their world. ❤️🐾

Great points, but I also consider daily walks as reinforcing our bond. It’s our special time, devoted to just the two of us, enjoying each other’s company.

That pup is an absolute sweetheart and beautiful!

Too many people get a dog because of the affection, and the funny happy nature of a dog. Then forget about the rest. That is one of main reasons dog's wind up at shelters. I like to refer to it as "be the human" in the relationship. No such thing as a bad dog.

oh yea daily walks are a must! we walk rain sleet snow or shine haha my huge dog even has a raincoat!

I believe walking your dog daily is a basic need like food and shelter. I always picture it when i see my dogs sniffing on bushes etc its like their facebook . Its keeps them informed of what is happening in the neighbourhood 😁. Thats just how i see it, dont judge me 😂

I live next door to a woman who has 4 dogs. I got very close to one of them. His name is Andrew. My husband and I would pet him and throw the ball for him over the fence. The neighbors didn't like us interacting with him, so they put up a 6 foot stockade fence. We can no longer see Andrew we just hear him. He is never walked. I offered the woman $500 for him but she declined. He has such an awesome temperment. Everytime I hear him bark now it breaks my heart a little bit more each time. When I had my own dogs I walked them twice a day everyday unless it was pouring or too icy out. They were both great dogs who loved walks.

You didn't say it, but it was implied. Dogs are pack animals. They look to their pack leader for structure and guidance. Walks are great bonding activities that reinforce your position as pack leader. A dog that is comfortable in his/her role in the pack will have few behavior problems.

my husband walks our border collie/GSP…i take her to a field for fetch,, catch, free run, i rotate through all of it until she’s looking at me with tired eyes, then she has lunch and has her daily nap…usually 1-1.5hrs….i structured in a daily nap for quiet time for me, and lunch digestion time for her. started this at 7 weeks old, nap after every meal to avoid bloat…and her body is now used to that down time.

Clearly your dog loves you! 🤣🤣

I think the walking part of our days is for my structure as much as for his. It's our quiet bonding time. Both of us are outdoors, enjoying the scenery, glancing at each other now and then, and heading home again. It's cathartic for both of us.

My dog takes me for a walk

I agree, but I feel there is more to it than that. They love to sniff all the different scents along the way, & need this outside time to keep depression & anxiety away. I have a chronic illness & cannot walk far, but my pooch loves our late afternoon slow strolls. If I’m not well enough for that he is happy with me throwing the ball for him, & having me sit outside while he chases birds, wanders around near me, or just lays beside me.

I ask my dog if he wants to go for a sniff ..not a walk. He is always enthusiastic. Doesn’t mind going on the same route as the smells may have changed.👍❤️🐕‍🦺