The walk is one of the main aspects in the daily care of a dog to provide well-being. Although you think that his mission is basically that he can relieve himself outside the home, the truth is that taking him outside has many other benefits.
Dogs are social and curious animals, which need to interact with others of their kind, as well as explore the environment, above all through their sense of smell. Therefore, socializing during the walk is very positive for them, being able to stop to smell plants and corners that go unnoticed by you, as well as greeting other four-legged companions. In addition, it is essential for you to do physical exercise, something positive for your health, strengthening your muscles and bones, while preventing overweight.
As if this were not enough, the walk gives a structure to your daily routine, which gives you a feeling of stability and security. With the walk, by being physically and cognitively stimulated, we avoid stress and boredom in the animal, as well as behavioral problems derived from it. To this we must add that the walk is a moment of quality and enjoyment, which reinforces the bond between human and pet.
According to a survey carried out by Préstame tu perrito –a platform of volunteers who take care of your pets–, only 46% of owners take their dog for a walk twice a day. Work restrictions, day-to-day obligations and the time it takes us to commute from home to work are the main obstacles to taking more walks.
Another data collected in the survey is that 86.6% of the owners walk their dogs themselves or with the help of a family member. 17% resort to the services of sitters from Préstame tu perrito, while 9.4% entrust the walk of their dog to a family member.
The number of walks necessary for the well-being of a dog varies depending on various factors. For example, puppies need to go out more often, as they are still learning to control their sphincters.
In the case of healthy adult dogs, the recommended minimum number of walks would be three a day, since they should not spend more than eight hours enduring their needs or locked up at home. However, the number of walks could increase if they live in reduced spaces where they cannot play or hardly do physical activity. If they have free access to a patio or garden, you can take them outside less frequently, but in no case should you do without outdoor walks.
