It is well known that dogs need to spend time outside for multiple reasons. Exercising, burning energy and doing your needs, among others. For this reason, many people with a garden are encouraged to incorporate a dog into their lives so that they can enjoy that green space as much as they want.
The fact of having a garden is an advantage for the dog and it is also comfortable for its humans, since it is a safe space where they can be allowed to run and play without fear that it will escape as it could happen in the street, or that it will break something inside the house. . But many wonder: if I have a garden, should I take the dog outside?
The answer is yes. And not just to relieve themselves outside and thus prevent them from spoiling your lawn. Going for a walk brings many benefits for dogs, so if you want to promote well-being and quality of life, you should include going out in your routine.
The socialization of a dog is essential for its correct education, in order to avoid fears and behavioral problems. The dog needs to know different scenarios, from country areas to get in touch with nature to busier urban environments.
In this way, they will get used to different contexts and behave appropriately in all of them, ruling out misbehavior. On the street, your furry friend will learn to live with other animals, which is essential for him to know how to relate to them.
It is also positive that he interacts with other unknown people, otherwise he will be distrustful and even reactive. When you take him out into the street, he gets used to seeing people walk by, as well as some who dare to greet him or caress him. If he is always “locked up” in your garden, he will not react well when you receive visitors or delivery men. In addition, it may even start to bark when people pass by the fence of your farm.
Another point in favor of taking it out on public roads is that it desensitizes itself to loud sounds and stimuli that would otherwise be stressful. Like the passing and beeps of cars, bicycles, etc.
On the other hand, one of the great benefits of going for a walk outside is that your pet will exercise and be physically and cognitively stimulated. In the garden, he will only play when you dedicate specific moments of play to him. He will most likely spend the rest of the time lying down, unless he has other dogs to run around with. Well, it is a familiar environment that no longer arouses interest.
On the other hand, in the street he will smell and explore. In addition, with the walk you will walk more than you would inside the garden. It will also lower his stress levels and improve your affective bond, since you are his reference in an unknown environment for him.
