The walk is, without a doubt, the best time of day for your dog. In addition to relieving himself, the walk also allows him to feel stimulated and socialize with other dogs and/or people. Choosing your schedules well is essential to ensure that you have a quality ride and that your day to day is as good as you would expect.
In this article on our site we will explain to you what are the best times to walk your dog but we will also offer you exclusive advice so that In each of these hours your dog enjoys the walk like never before.
Dog-walking times
To begin with, it is important to highlight that dog walks must always be done at the same times, that is, a very regular schedule must be followedthat allows them to anticipate that they are going to go out. Although it may not seem relevant at first, the truth is that dogs are creatures of habit, so being able to anticipate will help them to be more balanced
In addition to following a set schedule, the frequency of walks can vary from one dog to another: some breeds, like the border collie, will need between two and four walks a day, but others like the pug or, for example, a very old dog, two will suffice. It is not always easy to know how many times you take a dog for a walk, but some factors such as age or the level of energy that we observe can help us.
Now that you know these preliminary details, we will explain what is the best time to walk a dog and what is most convenient to do at each of the times:
1. Morning
During the morning the dog should be able to enjoy the longest walk of the day, which should last between thirty minutes and an hour, depending on the energy of the dog. The ideal is to do this walk very soon or after the opening hours of the offices, when the street is not very busy. It is the perfect time to take him to a park, to the beach or simply to the nearest pipi-can. It is important to note that in the morning the senses are especially sensitive, so allow him to sniff whatever he wants is a good recommendation if we want him to relax and relieve the accumulated stress. As an extra we could carry out a searching or planting outside or practice smell games at home.
two. Midday
At this time of day, especially in summer, we must be alert, since it is hotterBrachycephalic dogs (pugs, bulldogs or boxers) and older dogs could suffer from heat stroke if the walk was too long, so we recommend taking a short walk in the shade, in which they simply relieve themselves, sniffing a little and socializing. The midday walk could be between ten and fifteen minutes.
3. Afternoon
Many people tend to choose the afternoon to take their dogs for exercise and/or long walks, although this is not always the option more indicated. At this time of day, large cities are congested with traffic and noise, which causes the dog's stress levels to rise and he cannot relax and enjoy himself as he would at other times of the day. If we do not have the option of taking our dog to a quiet area where he can enjoy a thirty or sixty minute walk, it is best to take a short and simple walk, lasting fifteen or thirty minutes maximum, in which socializing, playing and being active is the main objective.
4. Night
Finally, the night is usually a quiet time, so it is the right time to encourage relaxation of the dog before go to sleep. We recommend taking a very calm, quiet walk in which the dog can sniff everything he wants without any hurry.
Remember that the hours to walk the dog can vary enormously if we live in a city or in the countryside, the important thing is to pay attention to the needs of our dog and adapt the walk schedule so that it enjoys a correct well-being, taking into account the previous indications.
Frequently asked questions about walking the dog
Something as simple as going for a walk can generate many questions, so we offer you a summary of the most frequently asked questions about this important habit:
- How many times do we have to take a dog for a walk? As we have explained before, there is no precise schedule for each breed or age, we must experiment according to the needs of our dog, yes, each dog should enjoy a minimum of two daily walks to be happy.
- At what age should we take a dog for a walk for the first time? The puppy's first walk must be scheduled by the veterinarian, who will give us the go-ahead once the puppy receives the primary vaccination and the polyvalent booster.
- Can my dog get sick if he gets near urine and feces? In principle, if the dog is correctly vaccinated you don't have why fear, although as with people, vaccination is not always 100% effective. What is important is that we never scold a dog for sniffing stools as it is something instinctive and a behavior that helps him better understand his environment and the dogs that live in it.
- How to walk a dog without pulling? If your dog has not learned to walk correctly, it is best to teach him using an anti-pull harness. easy walk type hitches, you should never use choke or semi-choke collars.
- Where can I take my dog for a walk? In large cities we have authorized places, known as pipi-can. However, if you can take your dog for a walk in the mountains, much better!
- What happens if I don't take my dog for a walk? Apart from hygiene problems, don't take your dog for a walk It will favor a sedentary lifestyle and as a consequence obesity. Physical and mental stimulation will also decrease and their socialization will be reduced, which translates into the possible appearance of behavioral problems.
- Is it better to take the dog for a walk before or after eating? Without a doubt, the best option is to do it before eating since a Very active walking on a full stomach could lead to stomach torsion, a serious and in many cases fatal he alth problem.