Which type of dog walk is better for the dogs brain?

[Anonymous]

Every dog I've owned has benefitted from new places to explore on walks, new smells and new critters.

[Anonymous]

My dog likes to check up on the regular neighborhood route but it doesn't tire her out (we do 2-3 miles) while the same distance in a new place is exhausting for her.

IMO the only problematic walk is going to a new place without exercise (e.g., going to a patio restaurant and nowhere else). My dog finds that stressful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog gets one walk a day. Otherwise she is let out into the backyard multiple times a day.

That's really sad. She needs to go exploring, making friends with her people in the neighborhood, it stimulates the brain.

My dog has never gotten along with other dogs, since she was a puppy, despite playdates, playgroups, dog parks, training.
Most people I know don’t walk their dogs “multiple” times a day. Is that really what you and people you know are doing?

NP yes that's what people do! You're supposed to walk your dog a few times a day. Even your vet will tell you that!

This is not necessarily true. Not all dogs are the same. Breeds requirements are different and different individual dogs have different temperaments.

A malinois is different from a lab is different from a corgi is different from a cavalier. One walk a day can be absolutely fine and appropriate for many dogs.

[Anonymous]

Best dog walk is one that you allow the dog to sniff what they are interested in. Dogs have an organ in their nose that humans do not. Smell is their primary sense and if you can feed and develop it during walks, you are engaging both their brain and physical body. Distance does not matter. If your dog is comfortable in new settings then absolutely take them out to new areas with new smells. They take all that in, process it in their brain, and learn. If they get nervous then maybe you can work them up to new settings by doing a little at a time. Great job thinking of what might be best for your dog! I love that you asked the question.

[Anonymous]

I’ve owned dogs for years. It depends on the breed of dog, the size of your yard and your own routine. Our small dog wants to walk a few times a day and our big, lazy dog is fine with roaming the yard and barking at squirrels.

I’ve noticed people attach more human like qualities and emotions to dogs these days. Could you imagine trying to put a cat on an exercise schedule?

[Anonymous]

My rescue who is mostly hunting dog gets at least one "sniff" walk per day where he gets to go at his own pace and kind of follow his preferred route. My kids call it "scrolling the dog internet". I don't try to do an exercise walk or a long walk that's more for me until he gets his sniff walk because otherwise he gets crabby and frustrated. He settles down for the night better with a short sniff walk even if it's just down the block and back vs. a longer walk at a steady pace. We think of that as his "reading in bed before falling asleep" walk.

[Anonymous]

My dog used to walk us. He staked out his route early on and marched determinedly around it every single time. He had one beat for the morning, and another one for the evening walk. He knew to stop at crosswalks and wait for me. And he had his favorite yards where he would look for his human friends. I once walked half the distance with him trotting by my side before I realized I was holding the leash but had forgotten to clip it on him. 8 years later I still miss that 180-lb goofball every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog gets one walk a day. Otherwise she is let out into the backyard multiple times a day.

That's really sad. She needs to go exploring, making friends with her people in the neighborhood, it stimulates the brain.

My dog has never gotten along with other dogs, since she was a puppy, despite playdates, playgroups, dog parks, training.
Most people I know don’t walk their dogs “multiple” times a day. Is that really what you and people you know are doing?

People without yards do take their dogs for walks, mostly because the dogs need to go and most people don't want dog waste in their house. But the pp you're replying to who's trying to guilt/shame you about letting your dog out to run is an idiot. There are birds, squirrels, hawks, and sometimes deer and foxes in my yard. There's plenty of scents to explore, and more than enough "stimulation".

A lot of newer dog owners have no clue WTF they're doing, and it shows.

Right, right, everyone is a moron but you and your precious pitties. Your angry aggressive style is so obvious. Youre such a trashy weirdo. I feel sorry for your kid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best dog walk is one that you allow the dog to sniff what they are interested in. Dogs have an organ in their nose that humans do not. Smell is their primary sense and if you can feed and develop it during walks, you are engaging both their brain and physical body. Distance does not matter. If your dog is comfortable in new settings then absolutely take them out to new areas with new smells. They take all that in, process it in their brain, and learn. If they get nervous then maybe you can work them up to new settings by doing a little at a time. Great job thinking of what might be best for your dog! I love that you asked the question.

Leads one to wonder where do dogs put their pianos.

[Anonymous]

We go on dog led walks. Where he wants to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog gets one walk a day. Otherwise she is let out into the backyard multiple times a day.

That's really sad. She needs to go exploring, making friends with her people in the neighborhood, it stimulates the brain.

Not PP. I prefer to walk our hound mutt over putting her in the yard. The walk gives me a chance to clear my head especially if it’s a stressful week. There are days we head out the front door, and she goes straight to the gate to the backyard and refuses to walk. I think it’s based on the sniffs that day. Anyway, our dog sometimes prefers the yard. I find it irritating because it always seems to happen when the weather is perfect for a nice walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog gets one walk a day. Otherwise she is let out into the backyard multiple times a day.

That's really sad. She needs to go exploring, making friends with her people in the neighborhood, it stimulates the brain.

My dog has never gotten along with other dogs, since she was a puppy, despite playdates, playgroups, dog parks, training.
Most people I know don’t walk their dogs “multiple” times a day. Is that really what you and people you know are doing?

I walk my dog 4 to 5 times a day. One to two of those walks are exercise/off leash runs where she spends time running in circles sniffing like crazy, while one to two are just quick potty breaks.

I don’t have a yard

[Anonymous]

A dog's brain is still a dog's brain ya know

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dog gets one walk a day. Otherwise she is let out into the backyard multiple times a day.

That's really sad. She needs to go exploring, making friends with her people in the neighborhood, it stimulates the brain.

Oh, lord. It's the "socialization" idiot again...

One walk a day is fine for most dogs. My chihuahua mix barely even wants to do that. It's really okay, pp. There's plenty of ways to "stimulate the brain" of an average dog.

+1, a lot of people project their own needs onto their dogs. Dogs are pack animals who generally do best when they feel safe and secure. That can vary by the dog, and some dogs do well in novel environments or meeting new people, but the idea that a dog "needs" to go exploring and making friends is likely false. Dog needs are much more primal than that. Dogs are not people.

[Anonymous]

Your post doesn’t really make sense. What does being a pack animal have to do with NOT sniffing?

Everything I’ve read and been told by vets- and my own experience with dogs- indicates that exploring and sniffing is pretty essential for them, especially for nervous dogs as it helps reduce cortisol and gives them a sense of control.

If anyone is projecting, I think it’s the anxious humans who project their anxiety and stress onto their animals