Go for walk with your dog

The walk is a very important ingredient of a dog’s life. During the walk the dog not only meets its physiological needs but also explores the world around. A daily walk supports physical fitness of the dog, stimulates it mentally and facilitates socialization.

Frequency and length of walks

Remember that the frequency and length of walks depend on the dog’s breed, age and temper. The prevailing opinion is that a dog needs at least three walks a day, including one longer. Obviously, every dog caretaker should know the potential of his or her pet and adjust the number and length of the daily walks to its individual needs. A young and active dog will need frequent and long walks while an older or ailing one will settle for a couple of walks around the block.

Entertaining walk

An entertaining, but also safe, walk should be taken at a place where the dog can move unleashed. A large stretch of ground with good visibility will be a perfect place for running, snuffing and playing with fellow dogs. It is good to give the dog some freedom and let it be itself. Do not worry about the soiled paws, shaggy hair or wet tail. It is a good idea to change between walking places to provide the dog with the so much needed new attractions and smells.

Exercise during the walk

The caretaker should try to enrich the dog’s experience of the daily walks to deepen the mutual bond. The fetting of a favorite toy, physical exercises or the learning of new tricks will stimulate the dog’s mind and will help keep it healthy. We described our suggestions for the dog’s activity in the previous article:

https://nutrilovepetfood.com/en/creative-dog-walking/

What in addition to the walk?

The bad autumn weather and the early falling of dusk can affect the frequency and length of walks. So, how can we discharge the dog’s energy? By stimulating its brain! A half an hour of snuffing can tire the dog more than a one-hour walk. Here, various snuffing toys, requiring the dog to use not only the nose but also the brains, will work perfectly.

There are many such toys on the market: wooden cubes for hiding treats, plastic boards where something has to be shifted, or snuffing mats with a number of pockets.

A snuffing toy is something that you can make yourself. You will need boxes, plastic containers, shredded blankets or toilet paper cores. You can hide tasty treats inside and encourage the dog to look for them. You will see how the dog’s nose works hard and how the pet is tired after the fun. In time, such toys can be modified or made more elaborate to keep them “fresh”. This is why they will be always attractive to the dog.

As dog caretakers, we should remember that providing for long walks, mind stimulation and opportunities for the meeting of the need for snuffing is very important. Walking in the open air has a beneficial effect not only on the dog but also on the human. This is why we should take walks, enjoy our contact with the pet, and admire the surrounding nature. However, when weather does not encourage us to go out, let us play with the dog at home using our do-it-yourself snuffing toys.