5 Easy Ways to Make Dog Walks Fun!

Walks with our dogs should be fun- for both you and your dog. However, often dog walks are seen as a chore and another job to do.

Here are some simple ways to put the fun back into your dog walks:

A border terrier on a red lead looking up from the pavement

1. Incorporate Tricks

What tricks does your dog already know?

Do they know sit? Then see if they can do it on a walk. Ask for it in unusual places and see if they can still do it.

Or why not teach your dog something new you can do together on your walks. For example, teach your dog to look at you and make eye contact, or teach your dog to go around objects like trees.

2. Talk to your Dog

Dogs are excellent listeners so use your dog walks to tell them about your day and how you are feeling. Multiple scientific studies have shown the psychological benefits of talking to our dogs about our problems (Evans-Wilday et al., 2018; Misir et al., 2021) so give it a go- you will feel better and your dog will love listening to you!

A collie tugging on a soft toy during a class in the park

3. Play with Your Dog

Take toys on your walks to engage with your dog. Take interactive toys, like tugs and chaser toys, so you play together instead of just giving your dog a toy and that being the end of the interaction.

4. Be Less Predictable

Go different routes, change direction suddenly and cross roads for no reason. Vary your pace so sometimes you are walking reaaaally slow, then run with your dog.

See what your dog does. Do they look confused? Are they more engaged with you? Are they more interested in their walk? Are the sniffing more?

5. Let Your Dog Lead

Instead of you deciding where to go, see where your dog takes you! Do they take you to the usual park? Or do they take you a new route?

Next time you go on a walk, leave your phone at home and engage with your dog. You will both enjoy your walk a lot more!

A small tan dog on a lead looking up at its walker on the pavement

Want some help making your walks fun? Book a one-off training session with me: www.rosypawsedinburgh.co.uk/contact

References

American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/ways-you-might-be-ruining-your-dogs-walk/

Evans-Wilday, A.S., Hall, S.S., Hogue, T.E. and Mills, D.S., 2018. Self-disclosure with dogs: Dog owners’ and non-dog owners’ willingness to disclose emotional topics. Anthrozoös, 31(3), pp.353-366.

Misir, R., Hnojčik, A., Fridrih, R. and Petrac, A.P., 2021. 22 Benefits of trained dogs for mental and physical health according to the holistic approach (AAI, AAT).

Rosy Paws Blog: https://rosypawsedinburgh.co.uk/blog/f/5-reasons-why-it%E2%80%99s-important-to-have-fun-with-your-dog

Victoria Stilwell: https://positively.com/contributors/7-simple-ways-to-make-dog-walking-more-fun/