Walking your dog is about more than just letting them out for bathroom breaks. It's a crucial part of physical and mental health! But as dogs progress from puppyhood to golden years, their exercise needs can change. Understanding how to adapt your walking routine can maintain your dog’s health throughout their life.
Here’s a guide to tailoring your walks to suit your dog at any age.
Puppies: short, frequent walks
Puppies are bundles of energy, but they also tire quickly and have growing bones and joints. To accommodate their development:
- Keep walks short but frequent. Multiple 10-25 minute walks a day are ideal.
- Focus on socialization during walks by exposing your new pup to various sights, sounds, and smells.
- Incorporate training such as basic leash manners during these outings.
Shop some of our favorite leashes here.
Pro Tip: Avoid forcing puppies to walk long distances, especially on hard surfaces, as this can cause joint damage and lead to future health issues. Always check with your vet about what’s appropriate for your dog based on their breeds and size.
Adolescent dogs: energy and training
Adolescent dogs (around 6 to 18 months old) often have higher energy levels and can handle longer and more vigorous walks. At this stage:
- Increase walk duration to 20-30 minutes, depending on the breed and energy level.
- Incorporate play and bursts of running to help burn off pent-up energy.
- Continue training to reinforce good behavior and leash skills.
Pro Tip: Adolescent dogs can be distractible. Using walking time to practice commands and focus techniques can help improve their attention.
What’s a Rich Text element?
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
Static and dynamic content editing
Static and dynamic content editing
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
How to customize formatting for each rich text
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
Adult dogs: consistency and enrichment
Adult dogs require consistent exercise to maintain their health and prevent obesity. For adult dogs:
- Customize your own routine, aiming for walks that match their fitness level and breed characteristics.
- Introduce variety by changing your walking routes or visiting dog parks for added mental stimulation.
- Consider engaging toys like balls or frisbees to make walks more enjoyable and physically rewarding.
See some of our favorite toys here.
Pro Tip: Use walks as an opportunity to continue engaging your dog’s mind with new commands and tricks to keep them mentally sharp.
Senior dogs: gentle and accommodating
As dogs age, they may develop arthritis or other health issues that can make long walks difficult. For senior dogs:
- Shorten the walks; opt for gentler, more frequent short walks instead of long treks.
- Choose flat, soft surfaces to ease joint strain.
- Monitor their comfort levels closely, adjusting the pace and length of walks as needed.
Pro Tip: Consider supplements or treatments recommended by your vet for joint health to make walking easier for older dogs.
All ages: ongoing health checks and adjustments
Regardless of age, regular health checks are crucial. A vet can help you understand and adapt to your dog’s changing exercise needs. Additionally:
- Watch for signs of discomfort during walks, such as limping or reluctance to continue.
- Adjust walks based on weather conditions; shorter, more frequent outings may be better in extreme temperatures. You may need to move your walk schedule to early mornings or evenings in the hot summers.
Walking your dog is one of the most direct ways to impact their well-being positively. By adjusting your approach as they age, you ensure that this necessary activity continues to benefit them throughout their lives, keeping them as happy and healthy as possible.
One final tip
No matter what your dog’s age, let them sniff! Sniffing is an important way for dogs to get mental stimulation. Think of it as them reading their daily paper or scrolling their social media feed for the day.