Walking The Dog: Enhancing Enrichment and Enjoyment

08/05/2024

Most dog pawrents are familiar with taking their dog on A Walk. A Walk, being a stroll around the block, to a romp in the countryside. We use walks to exercise our dogs, tire them out and to just enjoy the outdoors together. But how often do we stop to consider how we walk in detail? Beyond general time, distance or location. Taking the time to analyse our walking habits, could reveal ways to further our dogs' enjoyment of walks.

By thinking about the details of what A Walk with our dog is, we can aim to make the experience more enriching for them. Enrichment refers to meeting a need and/or allowing opportunities to safely and healthily perform species-typical behaviours [1].

Firstly, we can think about what needs a walk typically meets. The need to exercise, being a main one. Regular exercise helps to maintain physical health, lowering blood pressure, for example and maintaining mental health, by stimulating the mind [2]. We can ponder not just the amount of exercise, but also the type of exercise. Purposeful, mindful movement can be incorporated, to build on body awareness skills. Safe opportunities to move freely and unrestricted can feel fulfilling. Activities that meet breed-typical behaviours should also be provided, such as, in general, swimming for labradors, digging for dachshunds or pulling for huskies. You could also consider specific training to enhance fitness, building on flexibility and strength. Observing your individual dog may reveal information about the type of exercise or movement that they enjoy the most. As such, we should try to provide more of these opportunities to them, if we wish to make walks more enriching. For example, if a dog enjoys to roll in the grass, then seeking out opportunities for them to engage in this natural behaviour may enhance their mood and overall wellbeing. Other factors to consider are the time of day, weather conditions and frequency of walks - does your dog prefer short but frequent strolls, or one big walk? Do they get excited in the wind and rain, with certain smells enhanced, or do they feel overstimulated and would rather not get their paws wet? 

Another key need a walk might meet is to exercise the dog's mind, leaving them not just physically tired, but mentally content. Gathering and processing information can be tiring, as can making decisions. Allowing dogs the time to process their surroundings could be beneficial, for example, pausing the walk for a spot of people-watching, or listening to the nature sounds. Spending time, thoroughly sniffing the same areas may also help dogs to fully process the information they have gathered. Letting them mark their scent and communicate freely through a fascinating world of scent and pheromones, beyond our human understanding. Choosing for themselves where they want to walk, how quickly or slowly, will also tire them out and provide a sense of agency and safety, other key needs that can easily be overlooked. Dogs are likely to need more support in feeling safe, when out on a walk, than in the more predictable setting of their home. Allowing them to choose the direction and speed of walking, and to enter or exit interactions as they wish, wherever safe to do so, is likely to promote a sense of safety.

Being outdoors on a walk will stimulate all of a dog's senses, their sight, hearing, smell, touch and even taste. Sometimes, this might be too much and as such, we could help to make a walk more enriching by seeking out quieter times and places. The floor texture might even be worth considering, with arthirtic/painful dogs finding relief in softer surfaces. Other dogs will find comfort in the predictability of the same routes. Some may easily bore and desire an adventure. Even something as simple as exploring a bin alley, although probably not our preferred walking location, can provide easily-accessed excitement and novelty for their noses.

Another key, species-typical need a walk is able to meet is foraging. For many guardians, the idea of their dog picking items off the ground and eating them is panic-inducing. However, this is natural for them. On walks, we can aim to provide safe outlets for this innate behaviour, such as throwing treats into the grass to be snuffled out, or for a challenge, hiding treats vertically along the bark of trees. Further, this foraging behaviour encompasses sniffing and chewing, which are great for reducing arousal and promoting calm, relaxed feelings [3]. Useful to wind them down at the end of an exciting walk!

The social needs of individual dogs can vary, but being out on a walk can often be a great way to meet those needs. Some dogs will enjoy gentle interactions with new people or dogs, while others might prefer only familiar people/dogs. Several prefer to not meet anyone at all on their walkies. Observing your dog's individual preferences and personality will allow you to be mindful of the situations that you enter. For example, for a dog who would rather not interact with others, avoiding busy spaces or crossing the street at the sight of an oncoming, boisterous dog, could provide relief. Whereas, dogs who enjoy the company of familiar dogs could benefit from regular, scheduled walks with friends. It is useful to keep in mind that your dog's preferences may change over time. For example, as they mature from an outgoing, energetic pup, many begin to prefer the company of similar, calmer friends and may dislike sharing space with high-energy adolescents. Keeping note of your dog's preferences will allow you to respect their individuality and protect them from excess stressors.

Overall, walks can provide great opportunities to meet your dog's needs - exercise and mental stimulation, but also social needs, sensory needs, species and breed-typical needs. A walk is a great chance to provide your dog with a sense of agency, essential for their mental wellness. Observing your individual dog is key to understanding their preferences, likes and dislikes. This can then guide you to providing walks and opportunities that enhance their wellbeing further.

Written by FOUR P4WS team member Jess, behaviour consultant of HeartHounds.co.uk