Do I have to take a dog for a walk

When a fluffy dog becomes a new member of the family, besides the full joy, a practical problem lies before the owner: Is it necessary to walk the dog? Looking at the dog's innocent and expectant eyes, this problem not only involves professional pet-raising knowledge but also carries the owner's deep concern for the dog's quality of life and healthy growth. We are eager to give the dog the best life, and whether to walk the dog or not is a crucial part of it, which is worthy of our in-depth thinking and discussion.

From the perspective of the dog's physiological needs, walking the dog is a necessary behavior to maintain its physical health. Dogs are naturally athletic animals with abundant energy. Whether they are small dogs or medium to large dogs, they need a certain amount of exercise every day to keep their muscles active and their joints flexible. Long-term lack of exercise can lead to problems such as muscle atrophy and obesity in dogs. Obesity can further trigger a series of serious health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis, just as humans are prone to getting sick due to lack of exercise. For example, although Corgis are small in size, if they are not walked for a long time, their originally fit bodies will gradually change, and their leg joints will bear more pressure due to the increase in weight, increasing the risk of arthritis. At the same time, during the process of walking the dog, the dog can excrete waste from its body in time through urination and defecation, maintaining the normal functions of the urinary and digestive systems. Imagine how much pain the dog will suffer if it cannot go out to excrete for a long time. Every time seeing the dog having health problems due to insufficient exercise, the owner is filled with guilt and wishes to make up for the dog immediately.

Walking the dog is also of great significance for the dog's mental health. Dogs are social animals, and they need to meet their social needs by contacting the external environment, other dogs, and humans. When walking outdoors, dogs can sniff different smells, and these smells contain rich information, which is like their "social password" and can help them understand the surrounding environment and the situation of other animals. Interacting and playing with other dogs is an important way for them to learn social skills. For example, when two dogs meet, they can learn how to express friendliness and understand each other's behavioral intentions through sniffing and chasing. If the dog is kept at home for a long time and lacks social opportunities, it may have psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, timidity, and strong aggression. There was a Pomeranian that was kept at home for a long time. It would bark wildly and even show aggressive behavior when it saw strangers, precisely because it lacked normal social training and was full of fear and unease towards the outside world. Watching the dog become less cheerful and lively due to psychological problems, the owner is both heartbroken and self-blaming, deeply realizing the importance of walking the dog for its mental health.

In addition, walking the dog helps to cultivate the dog's good behavior habits. In the outdoor environment, dogs will be exposed to various new things and stimuli. Through the owner's guidance and training, they can learn how to control their behavior in different scenarios. For example, when crossing the road, teaching the dog to obey commands like "stop" and "go" can not only ensure the dog's own safety but also avoid causing trouble to others. At the same time, the training during the process of walking the dog can enhance the tacit understanding and trust between the dog and the owner. When the dog obeys the owner's commands and completes various actions outdoors, it will feel the owner's recognition and rewards, and thus rely on and trust the owner more. The establishment of this trust relationship has a positive impact on the dog's behavior regulation and daily life management. Every successful training makes the relationship between the owner and the dog deeper, and makes the dog more obedient and sensible.

Of course, in real life, some owners may not be able to ensure walking the dog every day due to busy work, bad weather, and other reasons. But even in such situations, alternative ways should be found to meet the dog's exercise and social needs. For example, some simple obstacles can be set at home, and indoor games can be played with the dog, such as throwing a ball and playing with a frisbee, allowing them to move their bodies in a limited space. You can also invite the dogs of friends or neighbors to visit at home to create social opportunities for the dog. However, these alternative ways cannot completely replace the role of walking the dog outdoors, and they are just helpless measures in special situations.

When having a dog, although walking the dog is not a mandatory requirement, considering the dog's physical health, mental health, and behavior cultivation, it is very necessary. Every time walking the dog on the streets and alleys and watching it run cheerfully and explore freely, we can feel the joy in its heart. This joy is exactly what we, as owners, most want to give it. With love and responsibility, meeting the dog's needs and accompanying it to grow healthily and happily is our deepest confession to this special "family member". Because in our hearts, the dog's happiness is our greatest wish, which is worthy of our time and energy to carefully protect every beautiful moment of it.