Walking your dog: how much, how and why

The walk is, along with food and rest, one of your dog's basic needs. And yet it's the one most often neglected: reduced to a quick trip to the corner. A good walk tires, entertains and balances a dog far more than any toy.

A walk is much more than just a wee

For a dog, the walk is its window to the world. Through smell it reads who has passed by, when and in what state: it's like reading the newspaper. Sniffing gives it mental stimulation, relaxes it and tires it in a healthy way.

A walk in which it's dragged along without being allowed to smell anything is an empty walk. The dog does get physical exercise, yes, but it misses the whole mental part, which is what really leaves it satisfied.

How much should a dog walk?

It depends on age, breed and physical condition, but as guidance for a healthy adult dog:

• Daily minimum · around 1 hour split across several outings, with at least a couple of proper walks.
• Active or working breeds · need quite a bit more, 1.5-2 hours, plus mental activity.
• Calm or brachycephalic breeds · less quantity and at a gentle pace, avoiding overexertion.
• Frequency · 3-4 outings a day so it doesn't have to hold on for too many hours.

Quality matters as much as quantity: 30 minutes letting it sniff tire it more than an hour pulling on the lead.

Walking the puppy

The puppy has its own rules:

• Until the vaccination course is complete, avoid areas with lots of unknown dogs; it can go out carried in your arms or to controlled areas.
• Its bones and joints are still forming: short, frequent walks, without forcing, without big jumps or sudden stairs, without running alongside the bike.
• The puppy's walk is above all socialisation: discovering the world calmly, associating the new with pleasant experiences.

Walking the senior dog

The older dog still needs to go out, but adapted: shorter and more frequent walks, at its own pace, on comfortable surfaces and avoiding the hot hours or extreme cold. The sniffing walk is ideal for the senior, because it keeps it mentally active without demanding much of its body. If you notice it tiring sooner, limping or lagging behind, mention it to the vet.

The sniffing walk: quality over quantity

The so-called "sniffing walk" is based on a simple idea: let the dog choose the pace and stop to smell whatever it wants, without rushing. You accompany rather than direct.

• Use a slightly longer lead in safe areas to give it room.
• Don't pull to make it move on: if it's smelling, it's "working".
• Choose routes with vegetation and varied nooks, richer in smells than smooth pavement.

A half-hour sniffing walk leaves many dogs more satisfied and calm than an hour of brisk marching.

Common mistakes

• Walking while looking at your phone · the walk is shared time; your attention counts too.
• Not letting it smell · dragging the dog takes away the best part of the walk.
• Yanks and tellings-off · they teach the dog that the lead means tension and conflict.
• Forcing greetings with other dogs · not all dogs want to greet each other; respect its space and the other dog's.
• Always the same route · varying the routes multiplies the stimuli.

Heat, cold and pavement

The weather shapes the walk:

• Heat · walk first thing and at dusk, never in the middle hours. Check the pavement with your hand: if it burns you, it burns its pads. Take water.
• Cold · most dogs tolerate it well, but small breeds, short-haired dogs or seniors appreciate a coat. After rain, dry it well on returning.
• Heatstroke · extreme panting, thick drooling, weakness or disorientation are a veterinary emergency: take the dog into the shade, cool it straight away with cool or cold tap water (not ice-cold, no ice) and go to the vet as soon as it starts to recover.

In short: your dog needs to go out several times a day, and at least a couple of those outings should be proper walks, with time to sniff. Adapt the intensity to its age and breed, prioritise quality over pace and take the weather into account. A well-walked dog is a calmer and healthier dog at home.