Walking the Dog: How Hard Can It Be?
If you’re a dog owner, chances are you've asked yourself this question more than once. After all, dogs need exercise for their health and happiness — but did you know there’s more to a dog walk than just grabbing the leash and heading out the door?
For safe, effective, and enriching exercise, it’s important to tailor your walks and activities to your dog’s individual needs. Not all dogs are built the same, and their requirements will change over time. So, how can you ensure you're meeting your dog’s needs at every life stage? Let’s break it down.
What Your Dog Needs at Different Life Stages
Puppies (Under 6 Months)
Puppies are bundles of energy, but they also need a lot of sleep — up to 16 hours per day! Short bursts of exercise (around 10 minutes) a few times a day are plenty. At this stage, focus more on socialisation and calm outings where your pup can observe the world rather than wear themselves out.
Teenage Dogs (6 Months to 2.5 Years)
As your puppy grows into their “teenage” years, their need for exercise increases. However, too much exercise too soon can cause joint problems, especially in larger breeds. Keep walks short and frequent until your dog is fully grown. A balance of activity and rest will help them stay healthy and avoid injury.
Adult Dogs (Over 2.5 Years)
Adult dogs hit their exercise stride, but don’t be surprised if they need less exercise than you might expect. Small breeds often have high energy levels, while many large breeds are surprisingly low-energy. As dogs reach their senior years (over 7 years), you’ll likely need to reduce both the intensity and duration of their walks.
Ok, so you know your dog's stage. What else should you consider?
Lots of people walk their dogs so they’re better behaved at home. Dogs need exercise to live happy, healthy lives, but too much exercise too quickly or at the wrong age can cause injuries or have other unexpected side effects.
Do you have a dog who seems like a nightmare without their daily hour-long walk?
Just like us, regular exercise increases fitness. Long, regular walks to tire your dog out might unintentionally create a super-fit athlete that:
- Needs more and more exercise to feel tired.
- Struggles to calm down during outings or at home unless they’re completely exhausted.
Instead, think about adding variety to your dog’s routine. Alternate physical exercise with mental enrichment and relaxation activities. This not only keeps their days interesting but also helps them unwind without compromising their physical health.
Your dog does not need an hour’s walk every day to be living their best life (and some, quite frankly, would prefer not).
For some dogs, you might find that a set routine helps build their confidence because they can predict the day ahead. For others, mixing up the length and timing of walks can actually be more beneficial.
Consider adding in a short, calm walk in the morning to help them settle during the day, and a longer walk in the evening to tire them out. Getting two outings some days can really make their day! High energy activities in the mornings (e.g. chasing a ball) might sound like a great idea, but can often leave dogs ‘wired’ for your departure, rather than ‘tired’.
If you miss a day, just make sure to provide extra enrichment and backyard games that day to help keep them busy and focused on appropriate ways to expend that excess energy!
Your dog will have their own preference for what type of exercise they like, and it might change day to day (or as they age).
Sniffing on walks is crucial for their mental health, so let them explore. Learn more about going on sniffari. Going for SCENTsational walks in new places, and reinforcing your dog for relaxed and settled behaviour are equally valuable ways to spend time together.
Let them explore and play off-lead in dedicated off lead areas (as long as it is safe, and you can call them away from others). Keep a close eye on them at all times.
Avoid excessive ball chasing to prevent joint strain (and increase the risk of early onset arthritis), and overstimulation (which can make it harder for your dog to calm down in other settings). Other aspects of your dog’s life – café visits with friends, the vet clinic, pet stores, visits at friends houses, etc. – all require a level of calm and settle in new environments that they may struggle with if every other outing involves non-stop fun.
If you want to run with your dog: start small to build up their endurance, work at a pace that is easy for them to trot, and make sure they have ample opportunities to sniff and explore. Consult with your vet for healthy exercise recommendations.
Routines can be great, but variety is the spice of life. Remember, exercise isn't the only way to tire your dog out and exhaustion isn’t the same as a ‘good’ dog. Unregulated, high energy, play (e.g. running with dogs at a park, playing fetch), consistent training for settle and calm, or a variety of other types of exercise should all be part of your exercise repertoire (depending on what your dog enjoys and is physically/ emotionally able to cope with).
Changing things up ensures your dog continues to experience new things throughout their lives, and provides them with ample opportunity to develop and strengthen their physical and emotional capacity and resilience.
Try new walks to keep your dog's senses sharp! Switch up your usual route or explore a busy area for a changing scent-scape. You might be surprised at how eager your dog is to pursue a new scent if you turn left instead of right one evening.
Alternatively, familiar places that change frequently like the foreshore can offer a fun sniffari challenge each and every walk.
Your dog may behave differently the first few times you visit a new location – take your time, allow them to sniff, watch and explore as they need (as long as it’s safe), and they’ll become more comfortable.
Council follows RSPCA SA's recommendations for dog equipment. Learn more on their website. Please use a harness to protect your dog’s neck and windpipe. Remember, equipment does not replace the need for training - talk to a force-free trainer for equipment options that can help aid you in your goals.
Dogs must be clearly identifiable with their grey registration tag on their collar or harness (or the number of their rego tag engraved/ embroidered on their collar or harness).
Dogs can’t regulate their temperature easily. Protect your furry friends from summer dangers like heat stroke and burnt paw pads. Click to learn more about pet safety in summer.
Brachycephalic dogs (those with short noses like French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pugs, etc.) are particularly susceptible to heat stress due to how short their nasal passages are.
In Winter, remember to be cautious with jackets or coats during winter walks to prevent overheating.