You may love seeing the excitement on your dog’s face right when you tell them it’s time for their walk. For many, a dog’s daily walk is the perfect opportunity for a dog parent to bond with their pup and get in some much-needed exercise and fresh air. But while walks can be fun at first, some dog owners find themselves in a walking rut when they’re tracing the same paths daily.
This repetition can be as monotonous for your pet as it is for you, which can strip the joy from what should be the highlight of your day. If you’re looking for ways to transform your casual strolls into engaging adventures that you and your dog look forward to, here are some tips to add excitement to your daily dog walking routine:
1) Change Your Route
If you’re tired of walking down the same streets every day, try changing your path. You can venture into nearby neighbourhoods, parks, or trails to diversify your dog’s walking experience and prevent boredom on both your parts.
A more novel environment with new sights, sounds, and smells may stimulate your dog’s senses and keep their mind active. If you’re worried about losing your dog in an unfamiliar area, consider purchasing wholesale martingale collars to prevent them from slipping out of their collar and also to provide greater control during your walks.
2) Schedule Your Walks at Different Times
Another thing you can do to vary up your walking routine is to schedule a walk during a different time of the day than you’re used to. Early morning walks can be a peaceful start to the day, with cooler temperatures and fewer distractions. On the other hand, late afternoon walks can be a great way to unwind and explore your neighbourhood at leisure with your dog. If you’re looking to use collagen for dogs to support their health and wellbeing, trying out different walking routines to see how active they are at different times can help too. Especially if you want them to be careful of their joints. Varying your walking schedule will allow your dog to adapt to different environmental conditions, as well as help you fit dog walking more easily into your busy schedule.
3) Incorporate Training Sessions into Your Walks
You can also make your dog walks more productive by using each one as a time to hone basic commands in your pet, like “sit,” “stay,” or “heel.” Basic training during walks can do a lot to improve your dog’s obedience, focus, and behaviour in outdoor settings.
Also, try introducing new tricks to keep them engaged and stimulated. You can bring along a bag of treats to turn these sessions into a fun and rewarding experience that will strengthen the bond between you two.
4) Combine Walks with Playtime
If your pet isn’t too keen on mixing training sessions with your casual walks, try integrating playtime sessions instead. Explore parks that feature dog park equipment, like agility courses, to provide your dog with both physical and mental stimulation. Additional playtime will allow your dog to expend excess energy and provide an opportunity for you to spend more time with them.
You can bring their favourite ball or frisbee for a quick game of fetch in a safe, open space to break up the monotony of a regular walk. It’s also possible to bring other stimulating toys and to do other fun activities, like a go around a dog agility course, to turn your regular walks into something your dog eagerly anticipates daily.
5) Invite a Friend Along
You and your dog may also have a lot more fun during your walks if you invite company. Walking with another dog and owner introduces new socialization opportunities where your furry pal can interact with another dog in a controlled and supervised environment. Your dog may be able to make a new friend or two and bask in the presence of other canines.
Walking with company also affords you the chance to share dog parenting tips, enjoy leisurely conversation, and strengthen your friendships with other dog owners. Before you go on a joint walk, however, just be sure to introduce the dogs to each other beforehand and gauge how comfortable or friendly they can be around each other. This will lead to a more enjoyable and stress-free experience for everyone involved.
6) Explore Your Local Nature Trails
If you live in an urban community, it may be good to switch up your dog walking routine by exploring the nearest nature trails with your pooch. The varied terrain of a trail can challenge your dog physically, and the natural sights and smells can stimulate their senses in ways that they don’t regularly experience in your neighbourhood.
Try to do your research on dog-friendly trails in your area, and choose a trail that matches your dog’s fitness level and walking habits. Be prepared and bring water, snacks, and possibly a first-aid kit so that you and your pet can enjoy a safe and refreshing outing.
7) Participate in a Dog Walking Group
Do you and your pup want to walk with a lot of other dogs and their owners? If so, why not try joining a dog-walking group? These groups often make it a regular habit to explore different areas and introduce new members to routes they may not know about. Here, you may also be able to make fast friends with people who share your experiences and interests as fellow dog lovers.
Best of all, they’ll provide your dog with opportunities to socialize and to practice behaving in a group of other dogs. In the long term, this will make your dog calmer in a variety of outdoor settings and decrease the chances of negative behaviour like aggression.
The tips above should help you customize your walks to your liking and make them a little more exciting for both you and your dog. On the whole, however, just remember to observe your dog’s reactions to every potential change so that you can adjust to them when necessary.
If you have any tips on how to change up your dog walking routine, please let us know in the comments below.
