During quarantine, dog owners have had much more time to spend playing with and walking their dogs. However, our motivation to take them outside can decrease when it becomes tedious. If you find that you or Rover are bored with your normal daily walks, there are a number of ways you can make your outside time together more exciting.
Curious Navigator: Allow your dog to take the lead on a walk–stop when they want to sniff something, and allow them to choose which way to go when you come to a crossroads. Though you may not get far, your dog will appreciate being given the freedom to explore the world their own way. Following their decisions is a great way to show your dog that you are interested in what they find exciting. Because smell is a dog’s most dominant sense, it’s extremely stimulating for them to be able to take in the unfamiliar scents they come across while on a walk–this is a form of enrichment that they don’t get much of inside your house, since all those smells quickly become familiar and uninteresting.
Change of Scenery: Switch things up by visiting a trail or park. Though this kind of outing takes more planning and time than a simple neighborhood stroll, both you and your pup will find the change of scenery refreshing and exciting. You’ll meet new people, maybe meet new dogs, and can enjoy walking on dirt or mulch trails as opposed to normal pavement. The number of scents available to Rover are increased exponentially when you venture to the woods–just be careful if you decide to go off the trail, as ticks, snakes, and other wildlife also live there!
No time for the park? No problem. Reverse the course of your normal walking path, or explore a nearby neighborhood you’ve never visited before. Making these simple changes can significantly improve your dog’s enrichment experience.
Pick Up Your Pace: Take the opportunity to work on your exercise regimen as well as Rover’s. Go for a run instead of a walk; if you are a beginner runner, intermittently run for a minute before walking for a few minutes, then repeat. Having a running buddy can make the experience much more enjoyable, and you’ll get the added bonus of tiring your pup out so that you can focus on other things back home.
Add another Walking Buddy: You can make daily walks more exciting for you and Rover by inviting someone else to come along–bonus points if they also have a furry friend that gets along with your dog! Going for a walk can be a great way to catch up with someone you haven’t seen in a while, or to gather the family together after spending the day apart at work, school, and after-school activities.
Work on new skills: There are many behaviors and skills that you can work on while taking daily walks. With a long, retractable leash and a safe area, you can work on Rover’s recall. Improve their leash-walking behavior by training them to walk in the “heel” position. You can even continue training to discourage jumping by having Rover sit and wait whenever someone passes by–just be sure to bring along plenty of treats on each walk.
