For many dogs their walk is the best part of the day, and there are a few simple ways that we can make the experience even better. In this blog, we share five top tips to add some extra enrichment to your dog’s daily walk.
Mix up your route
Different routes mean different sights, sounds, smells and experiences for your dog, so varying where you take them can be a great form of enrichment.
We have plenty of walking routes on our website that you can try. All of them have been designed to include a place to play off lead and some lovely views, as well as being wildlife friendly.
Allow time for your dog’s favourite activities
You know your dog best – do they love running, socialising with other dogs, or following their nose? Try and give them plenty of opportunities to do the things they love. Like us, dogs have different moods – some days they might have loads of energy to burn, other days they may feel like having a chilled-out stroll alongside you. Read their mood and let them walk in a way that suits how they are feeling.
Prioritise sniffing time
If your dog wants to stop and sniff, let them. Sniffing is of the most fundamental ways that dogs connect with and understand the world around them. It also releases feel-good hormones like dopamine – sniffing literally makes our dogs happy!
Play with your dog
When life gets busy your dog’s daily walk might be the only quality time they have with you, so make it count and have fun with them. Many dogs enjoy a game of tug, and chase games can be a lot of fun too. We have featured some of our favourite games (including sniffy logs and ‘find it’) on our ‘engagement games‘ page.
Do some on-the-go training
Training should always be fun, and it can be a great way to build your bond with your dog as well as help them develop essential skills. We have a range of step-by-step guides on our ‘training tips‘ page to help with a variety of skills including recall, loose lead walking, ‘stay‘ and ‘leave‘.
