If I Give My Dog a Run, Do I Need to Walk it As Much?

We all have very limited time in the day – less than ever before. Dogs, however, have plenty of time. Too much, in fact. They can’t roam. They can’t hunt. They sit at home all day waiting for you.

For their health, dogs need to be given anywhere from 30 minutes to two entire hours of walks per day in order to stay healthy. Not only is it important for staying healthy, but it also improves behavioral issues. Dogs that do not get walks are more likely to show behavioral problems than those that get regular walks – as long as their breed requires – each and every day.

But with limited time on our hands, how do we give a dog a one or two hour walk? That can be a very long time. Dog owners looking for shortcuts may consider, instead of walks, more vigorously demanding activities such as runs or bike rides, where your dog gets the exercise they need fast.

But is that enough for your dog?

Why Walks Are Important

In terms of physical fitness, a run can be a far more efficient, far more effective way to make sure your dog is getting the proper amount of physical exercise. Dogs burn calories faster when they run, so you’re helping them maintain their weight. Dogs also get their heart beating more, improving heart health. Running also tires the body, giving your dog a better quality sleep.

Still, most dog owners misunderstand the purpose of walks. Dog walks are not only for physical fitness. Dog walks are also for entertaining the mind of the dog. When they are on a walk, they experience:

Sights
Smells
Noises

During walks, dogs use a large portion of their brain, and that tires the dog out mentally and reduces boredom behaviors. Short, intensive runs may provide some of the physical support that your dog needs, but if your dog does not get an opportunity to use their brain, they may not be as calm and happy as they could be.

So, if you do choose to give your dog a run in lieu of long walks, you still should consider finding a way to use your dog’s brain. You can do this through play, through at-home training, and through a variety of other activities, but you do need to consider giving your dog an opportunity to use its mind even if its body is tired from the run. If you need help training your dog, contact Chicago Dog Trainer, today.

Calvin and Colleen Sheehan (Assoc. Producer - The Oprha Winfrey Show)

Marc Goldberg with Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"

Our Philosophy & Goals

Our philosophy is simple. Improve the life of both dog and family. All too often, unruly dogs do not fully enjoy life because their families constantly become upset and frustrated with them. This is difficult for both family and dog.

Our mission is simple. Make both dog and family happy.

What does is take to make your dog happy? He will thrive when you give him leadership and attention.

Making the family happy is a bit more complex.

Families typically want their dog to:

Come when called, every time, on or off leash
Walk nicely on a loose leash without pulling
Sit until released
Down until released

Families also want their dogs:

Not to jump on people
Not to charge through doors
Not to dig in the garden
Not to bark and chew inappropriately
Not to climb on furniture you prefer they avoid
Not to sniff and eat off the table and counters.
Not to be wild and uncontrollable
Not to ignore you when you want their attention