Walk your dog month January 2022

January 2022 is ‘walk your dog month’.

Walking your dog regularly is vital – regular walks can positively impact their physical and mental health as well as yours.

Why is walking good for your dogs’ health?

Just like humans, a lack of exercise can lead a dog to reduced mobility, becoming overweight, as well as encouraging other health problems. Having a regular walk or run can help keep your dogs’ blood pressure low and enhance bone and muscle strength. These can all help our dogs to lead long, healthy, active lives. Walking your dog allows them to stimulate their mind and relieve any stress they may have from not getting out of the house or from being left alone. Having a run around and discovering new smells can help reduce any stress that may have built up.

Making your dog happy

We all notice how excited our dogs get when they hear the word ‘walk’ or ‘walkies’ so why not make their day by ensuring they are getting their daily walk? Our dogs want to explore the world and discover new smells as well as other dogs, that’s why it’s important that we should regularly take them to new places to explore.

How often should you walk your dog?

You should aim to walk your dog every day and, in most cases, twice a day. Generally, a 30-minute to 2-hour walk will be sufficient. However, this is dependent on your dog’s breed, size, age, and their current health. If you’re unsure on how much exercise your dog needs speak to your vet.

Top tip: You can tell if your dog needs exercise if they are pacing or restless.

What happens if you don’t walk your dog?

Allowing your dog to run around the garden isn’t enough to keep them fit and healthy. This can lead to a build-up of energy, disruptive behaviour and feeling of neglect. Like children, dogs like to know they’re special and that they have a bond with their owner. Going on a walk is the perfect opportunity to have this one-on-one time with your dog. When walking your dog, why not take a toy for them to play with and retrieve whilst also using this time to train your dog. This can help build your relationship and you may notice your pet becomes less ‘needy’ and disruptive at home.

What to do if you can’t walk your dog regularly?

It’s important to ensure your dog is getting their exercise time but sometimes we may be working more or have health problems ourselves. In times like this, it’s important to utilise the resources around us. Why not contact a local dog walker?  Not only will this ensure your dog is getting their daily exercise, but it will also allow them to meet other dogs and explore new walking routes.

For more tips keep an eye on our social platforms as we’ll be sharing tips throughout January.

Read more on how to keep your dog safe this winter