Ideal for the disillusioned dog walker.
When the sun is shining, the temperature clement and the country’s mood buoyant, there’s nothing better than taking your dog for a saunter. You answer every ‘how old is she?’ with unbridled enthusiasm, you relish those tangles with the other canines (and their owners), and you even take a weird sort of pleasure in the warm, freshly laid feeling of picking up their poop.
But sometimes, even with longer days and lighter evenings on your side, the whole thing starts to feel like a chore. The same route, the same sniffing spots, the same tug-of-war at the gate. If the magic has faded and you’re needing a little push, then read on; here are 7 tips for falling back in love with dog walking, IDEAL for the disillusioned dog walker.
It’s A Shared Experience
Don’t think of it as you, the human, taking them, the dog, for a walk. As The Conversation points out, dogs are sentient beings with their own personalities, and we need to listen to and negotiate with them about how the walk is experienced. The walk is a shared experience, after all.
As such, try adapting the timing, length and location of your walks depending on what your dog seems to enjoy most. Don’t do this thing out of a sense of obligation or duty; rather, relish in this shared time together.
Just as your dog needs the exercise, so too remember that this is a healthy activity for you, too. According to Harvard Health, dog owners walk an average of 20 more minutes a day and take about 2,700 additional steps compared with people who don’t have a dog at home. So, embrace the chance that dog walking brings for you to get your step count up and get some fresh air in your lungs.
Be The Dog
Paws for thought and put yourself in your dog’s shoes for a moment. Not that they wear shoes, but anyway.
Your dog is stuck at home for most of the day, doing nothing (sound familiar?) and those walkies are one of the only times they get out there, socialise with other dogs and enjoy themselves.
It’s not only a time to relieve themselves, but a time to stretch those four legs and be mentally stimulated. It’s the one time of day they get to go out and explore. As such, let your dog sniff and investigate, don’t rush their bathroom breaks or temper their curiosity. Your dog deserves some ‘me time’ away from the domestic space; so let them run wild and savour those moments of tranquillity for yourself, too.
Get Your Dog Trained
Sure, it’s vital that you give your dog some space and freedom on your walks, but if those strolls are consistently leaving you both annoyed and frustrated, and you’re consistently coming home with an aching shoulder from pulling and a sore throat from calling for your dog, then an intervention might be required.
At this stage, you might want to consider dog training classes. Speak to an appropriate dog trainer about issues of your pup pulling on the lead and hesitating at every tree, lamp post and shrub on your walk (if that’s what they do, of course) and any of your concerns about their development.
The trainer will have professional, certified tips and tricks to recommend to make the whole thing more manageable; and that’s why you’re here, right?
Read: The best UK cities to own a dog
The Right Gear
Just like a baby needs ‘stuff’, so does a dog. First things first, finding the right collar and leash combo to suit both you and your dog is essential. You can also opt to use a dog harness instead of, or in addition to, a collar. A harness can give you better control, especially if your dog pulls on the leash a lot or squirms out of a collar easily.
Beyond the lead, think about what else might make your walks more comfortable for both of you. A portable water bowl is a must in warmer months, and a decent treat pouch keeps rewards close at hand for reinforcing good behaviour on the go. For short-haired and elderly dogs, a lightweight fleece jacket is still worth having for those chillier mornings. This is a case of one-size-certainly-doesn’t-fit-all, here.
In case your dog isn’t able to walk on its own, due to age or medical conditions, there are options to help get around more easily. Dog strollers and prams are a practical investment, not only because they give your dog that sense of freedom and stimulation it so craves, but also because all their accessories can be easily stored.
Keep An Eye On Their Joints
If your dog’s enthusiasm for walkies has dropped off noticeably, or they seem stiff after a longer outing, it’s worth considering whether there might be something physical going on. Arthritis is surprisingly common in dogs of all ages, not just older ones, and the signs can be subtle: reluctance to jump, slowing down on hills, or simply not wanting to go as far as they used to.
You can assess your dog’s joint health in minutes with a quick online check, and if something doesn’t feel right, a trip to the vet can make a real difference. Addressing joint issues early means more comfortable walks for them and more enjoyable ones for you.
Switch Up Your Route
One of the quickest ways to reignite your enthusiasm is to stop walking the same loop every day. Your dog will thank you for it, too; new smells, new terrain and new dogs to greet are all hugely stimulating for them.
Try heading to a different park, exploring a footpath you’ve driven past a hundred times, or even just reversing your usual route. If you’re stuck for ideas, the Ordnance Survey has a wealth of mapped walking routes across the UK, many of which are dog-friendly.
Find A Walking Buddy
Other than your dog, we mean. Pairing up with another dog walker allows both pets to wander around, sniff, and explore, while you can enjoy the company of a fellow human. There are dog walking groups out there that you can join to make your daily outing more social, or, consider setting one up yourself.
Having someone to chat with transforms even the most uninspiring Tuesday afternoon lap of the local rec ground into something you might actually look forward to.
The Bottom Line
The benefits of dog walking for you and your furry, four-legged companion are huge, from increasing your bond with each other all the way to giving your physical health a boost. That said, even with the best weather and the best intentions, it can sometimes be hard to find the motivation to get out there together every day.
We hope the tips above give you the push you need to lace up, clip on, and get going. We’ll see you out there.
