Walking the dog is one of the fundamental aspects of its care. It is not just a routine for you to relieve yourself outside the home. Going for a walk is a moment of enjoyment, of spending quality time with your reference human. They sniff and explore the world, interact with others of their kind, and exercise, all of which are critical to their physical health and emotional well-being.
Therefore, we must give the dog walk the great importance it deserves. Forget going out out of obligation and with reluctance. The walk is a fun time for the dog and you should make the experience as positive as possible for him. So you should let him go at his own pace, avoid pulling on the leash, allow him to smell everything he wants -as long as it’s not harmful to him- and look for recreation areas so that he can run and play freely.
This is a question that springs to mind for many dog ​​owners, especially if they are first-time dog parents. The truth is that the answer depends considerably on the particular needs of each dog.
A puppy needs to go for a walk much more frequently, since in their first months of life they can barely control their sphincters. In the case of adult and healthy dogs, the ideal is that they go for a walk a minimum of three times, without there being a maximum number.
If it is a small dog, it will be enough for the walk to last about 30 minutes. If it is a medium, large or energetic dog, the ideal is to extend it for one or two hours. In short, it is best for the dog to walk for about 60 or 90 minutes a day depending on his particular characteristics, since if he has a garden or patio to run around, he will not need to exercise as much on the walk itself. Although this does not exempt you from taking it out on the street.
The daily routine can be an impediment to walking the dog. If you do not have the necessary time, perhaps the best solution for you and your best furry friend is to hire the services of a dog walker.
The dog walker is a professional, generally specialized in training or ethology, who will walk your dog as many times as you request, at the time you indicate and for as long as you wish. You can ask him to include moments of play or walks in nature, as well as pampering to make up for the time that you are busy. All this should be discussed with the professional depending on the availability, rates and services available from him.
In addition, you should make sure that your dog gets along well with the walker, especially if he is a distrustful dog. Whenever possible, look for walkers who will walk your dog alone, or at most three dogs together at a time, to ensure your pet receives the personalized attention it deserves and needs.