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How Often Should You Walk Your Dog? Our Vet Explains

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How Long Does My Dog Need to Walk?
Walk Duration Based on Dog Types
Health Considerations
Walking Puppies
Importance of Sniffing on Walks
How to Know the Dog Has Enough Exercise?

Many dog owners can attest to the excitement that follows when they pick up a leash and their pup realizes it’s walk time! Walking is not only a great form of exercise, but it also offers important mental benefits for dogs as well. A study has even shown that performing regular scent work promotes a more optimistic state of mind in dogs!

Most dogs need 1-2 walks per day. On average, aim to walk your dog for 20 minutes to 1.5 hours a day, depending on their breed, age, and energy level. We have lots of information about the exercise requirements of individual breeds that you can look for on our site. This can be a long walk a day, or various shorter walks that will add up the time your dog needs.

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How Long Does My Dog Need to Walk?

This depends on a lot of different factors. For example, a senior Great Dane will probably be happy with a slow saunter around the block, while an energetic young border collie might hike for two hours and still be ready for more!

Your veterinarian will be able to offer specific guidance for your particular pup—taking their age, breed, and overall health into consideration.

Keep in mind that walks don’t have to be the same every single day. While it is important to prioritize walks for your dog, don’t worry about being super regimented. Schedules change, and weather can also be a factor. Likewise, walks need to be kept short when it’s excessively hot or cold outside.

Hiring a dog walker may be a good option if you have an energetic dog, but you don’t always have time for a long walk. You can also check out these ways to provide enrichment on days that opportunities for physical exercise may be limited.

Loving Couple Walking With Pet Golden Retriever Along Autumn Woodland Path Through Trees
Image Credit: Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock

Walk Duration Based on Dog Types

Among the many dog breeds in the world, some require longer exercise sessions to burn off their high energy, while others will do fine with a short stroll around the block. To help you determine the best routine for your dog, we’ve categorized dog breeds into three groups so you can identify where your dog fits and tailor their daily walks to meet their specific needs.

Low-Energy Breeds: aim for 20 – 30 minutes of exercise
Medium-Energy Breeds: aim for 30 minutes – 1 hour of exercise
High-Energy Breeds: aim for 1 – 1.5 hours of exercise

While we haven’t listed all the dog breeds in this list, we hope this breakdown will help you identify your dog’s category.

dog in harness with leash walking in the forest with owner
Image Credit: Stephm2506, Shutterstock

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Health Considerations

There are certain health conditions that will limit your dog’s ability to take long walks. Always consult with your vet to make sure their exercise time is suitable for their health. These are the most common health conditions to watch for when walking your dog.

Brachycephalic Breeds

When walking a brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog, such as a Bulldog, Pug, or Shih Tzu, it’s important to be mindful of their unique needs. Brachycephalic breeds are prone to overheating and can struggle to breathe in hot conditions due to their shorter airways.

It’s important to monitor them closely for signs of fatigue, such as heavy panting, drooling, or slowing down. During the warmer months, particularly during humid conditions, it is safer to only take these breeds out for a short toileting walk, preferably first thing in the morning and after sunset.

Dogs Suffering From Arthritis

If your dog suffers from arthritis, it’s important to be cautious of the conditions where they’re walking. Walking on softer surfaces like grass rather than pavement can reduce joint impact.

Dogs with arthritis may experience stiffness, pain, or discomfort, especially in cold weather or after long periods of rest. Opt for shorter, more frequent walks at a relaxed pace to avoid putting too much strain on your dog’s joints. Pay close attention to any signs of discomfort, such as limping, slowing down, or reluctance to move, and adjust the walk accordingly.

Joints start to warm up after 15-20 minutes of exercise, making them more susceptible to damage. For dogs with arthritis or issues like hip or elbow dysplasia, it is best to modify their exercise routines to reduce the risks of causing inflammation to the joints.

black dog taken to a morning walk
Image Credit: Oliver Hewett, Shutterstock

Overweight or Obese Dogs

If your dog is overweight or obese, it’s important to exercise them daily, but be cautious of not surpassing their limits. Watch out for signs of fatigue, panting, or reluctance to walk, as this may be a sign that they have reached their limit.

To help your dog get used to walking and exercising, aim to slowly increase walk sessions in intervals of 5 minutes until you reach the exercise time recommended by your vet. This will offer more exercise to your dog while avoiding over-exercising them. Using a properly fitted harness, like the Halti no-pull harness, instead of a collar will also reduce strain on their neck, especially if they tend to pull. Remember to consult with a vet before starting any exercise plan to ensure it’s safe for your dog’s specific health condition.

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A Note About Walking Puppies

Have you ever watched a puppy fall asleep in the middle of a play session? Their bodies are very good at telling them when to take a break! Puppies should never be encouraged (or forced) to keep exercising when they are tired.

Expect that walks will be short, especially at first, while your puppy is getting used to being on a leash. Walks at this age are less about exercise, and more about training and socialization! Always remember to stop if your puppy seems to be getting tired.

woman walking beagle dog in the park
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The Importance of Sniffing on Walks

While it can be a little annoying when your dog wants to stop and sniff everything, try to indulge them at least some of the time. When given free choice on a walk, it is estimated that dogs spend about a third of their time sniffing!

Walks are your dog’s chance to get out of the house and see what’s going on in the neighborhood. Consider varying your route to provide novelty, and check out this article for ideas on how to take your dog for a special “sniff walk”.

How Do I Know if My Dog is Getting Enough Exercise?

Generally, calm behavior and ability to settle at home are good indications that a dog’s exercise and mental stimulation needs are being met. A dog who isn’t getting enough of these things may display destructive behavior, restlessness, or excessive barking.

Walks alone may not be enough for high-energy dogs and working breeds, who often also require high levels of mental stimulation. For these types of dogs, consider providing outlets for the natural behavior(s) your dog is driven to perform. Examples include scent work, retrieving, herding, and agility.

man and dog walking
Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock

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Summing Up

Daily walks contribute greatly to your dog’s physical and emotional well-being. There are many benefits to consider, some of which include:

  • Helping your dog maintain a healthy body weight, which may reduce their risk of certain diseases and help them live longer.
  • Providing important mental stimulation.
  • Creating opportunities for social interactions with people and other dogs.
  • Strengthening the bond between you and your pup.

Remember to check with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s exercise routine, and never force them to keep exercising if they seem tired.

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The post How Often Should You Walk Your Dog? Our Vet Explains appeared first on PangoVet.

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Why Do Dogs Roll in the Grass? 6 Vet-Verified Reasons

Most dogs love a good roll around in the grass when out on their walks. One minute they are trotting along without issue, and the next they’ve spotted something interesting and take off to start wiggling around on their backs.

While it is completely normal behavior for dogs to roll in the grass, as their pet parent, you might be worried about why they’re doing it, and more than a little put out if they’re rolling in something unpleasant.

There are numerous reasons for your dog to roll in the grass, the most common being that it just feels good. The texture of the grass is bristly and provides the perfect scratching material, giving relief and relaxation. However, they could be rubbing their bodies on something toxic or disgusting, there could be something making them particularly itchy, or they might be allergic to grass and this rubbing is going to make matters worse, in which case the activity needs to be stopped.

Read on to get a better understanding of why your dog is rolling in the grass, and whether it is a problem.

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The 6 Main Reasons Why Dogs Roll in the Grass

1. Masking Their Scent

Grass holds many smells made up of the grass itself and its surrounding environment. Investigations into this topic suggest one reason dogs romp about in it is to cover up their own scent with that from the grass and ground.1 This is a throwback to a survival instinct that would have helped their wild ancestors avoid predators or rivals, or sneak up on prey.

Happy Dalmatian dog rolling grass
Image Credit: Elisa Day, Shutterstock

2. Covering Up a Smell

On the flip side of masking their scent with another scent to protect themselves against the unwanted, they also roll in the grass to remove unwanted smells inflicted upon them. For example, shampoos and sprays smell good to us, but a dog’s nose and olfactory system are far more powerful than any human’s. These kinds of products can be offensive or upsetting to them. A good roll in the grass solves this problem.

3. Relieving an Itch

A good and luscious grass patch to a dog is like the equivalent of a loofah and a quick massage to us humans. Dogs often have itchy or tight spots they simply can’t reach with their paws. A decent roll on their back and sides helps to scratch the itch, thus giving relief.

Happy dog rolling in grass
Image Credit: sophiecat, Shutterstock

4. Skin Conditions

If your dog has a dermatology issue, then rolling in the grass will become more intense, frequent, and lengthy. The itchier and more irritated the skin feels to your dog, the more they will roll to itch and try to find relief. If you notice this pattern, have your veterinarian check them out, as an underlying skin complaint or allergy could be the cause of the excessive rolling. Rolling in the grass due to allergies is usually accompanied by other signs, such as red or irritated skin, hair loss or hair thinning, hives, or sneezing. The trouble is, they are often also reacting to the grass, so by scratching that itch, they are making things worse!

5. Communication (Marking Territory)

Dogs, especially males, like to mark their territory to state their presence to other dogs. Dogs communicate through scent, and you are likely familiar with urine marking: when dogs mark multiple areas with small amounts of urine. One avenue for dogs to leave their scent or pick up the scent of another canine who was there before them is to roll and rub their backs on that area. They also exhibit this same behavior on their beds or toys at home, as well as outside in your backyard or in random grassy patches or places in the park or woods.

A happy Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog rolling in the grass
Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock

6. Relaxation

Many times, your dog just loves how it feels to roll around in the outdoors! The rough surface of grass is therapeutic and relaxing. If you observe your dog’s demeanor and actions, you will see them rubbing and rolling gently about on their backs and generally looking happy. This is because, well, they are! They feel safe, joyful, and secure, and who doesn’t want to celebrate and enjoy that?Divider_Dogs 1

Conclusion

For the most part, rolling in the grass is a cute behavior from your dog. It’s rewarding as an owner to see your dog happy and enjoying life. It is your choice, of course, whether you let them do this, because, at times, what they are rolling in is smelly and disgusting (to us) but delightful for them. In these instances, a bath to remove the stink once home is needed, and for this reason, you may wish to end or redirect the behavior.

Having a good recall is a great way for you to stop your dog from engaging in the activity. If you are worried that your dog may have rolled in something toxic substance or dangerous, contact your vet for advice.

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Featured Image Credit: Raindog Photography, Shutterstock

The post Why Do Dogs Roll in the Grass? 6 Vet-Verified Reasons appeared first on PangoVet.

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What Is the Average IQ of a Dog? Canine Intelligence Explored (Vet-Verified)

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What Is Dog IQ?
How Is Dog Intelligence Measured?
Raising Your Dog’s Intelligence

Many people know that dogs are intelligent, but what is their actual IQ? It’s a widely held belief that the average IQ of a dog is 100. However, this number gives a very limited view of a dog’s actual intelligence, as different factors measure human and dog intelligence. A dog’s intelligence can’t be accurately scored by the same metrics given to humans.

If we’re going to compare a dog’s intelligence to a human’s, more recent research shows that a dog’s mental capabilities are comparable to a 2 to a 2.5-year-old human child.1 If you do the math, a dog’s IQ doesn’t equate to the average intelligence of a human adult. There are many myths about a dog’s intelligence, and we’re here to sort out the facts.

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What Is Dog IQ?

Human IQ tests are designed to test reasoning and problem-solving skills. These tests start with a baseline average of 100, and people can score above or below this average. It’s important to note that scientists will update these tests every few years to keep 100 as the average.

Knowing how human IQ tests work can help us understand why they simply aren’t applicable to scoring canine intelligence. Human IQ tests are based on questions that measure the reasoning and problem-solving skills catered to humans, and obviously, those same skills do not apply to our pets. However, there are certain tests that dogs can be put through based on skills that are relevant and applicable to their species’ needs and capacities.

poodle puppy giving paw to trainer
Image Credit: Kids_studio, Shutterstock

How Is Dog Intelligence Measured?

If we are to compare a dog’s mental abilities, it resembles most closely to a human toddler. Data shows that dogs can learn and remember about 165 words and signals. Particularly intelligent dogs can learn to distinguish up to 250 words. Dogs can also learn how to count up to five and have a very basic understanding of mathematics.

Researchers measure a dog’s intelligence with three categories: instinctive, adaptive, and working and obedience. Instinctive intelligence measures a dog’s capacity to do what they were bred to do. Adaptive intelligence refers to a dog’s problem-solving skills and ability to learn from their environment. Lastly, working and obedience measures skills learned through obedience training.

When it comes to working and obedience, Border Collies score the highest, followed by Poodles, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Dobermans, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Labrador Retrievers. Afghan Hounds score lowest in working and obedience, and Basenjis, Bulldogs, and Chow Chows are among the least trainable breeds.

While a dog’s mental abilities are comparable to a human toddler, their social intelligence is comparable to a human teenager’s. Dogs have a strong ability to communicate with one another and humans. One study reveals that some dogs can learn to trick humans and other dogs, and they’re able to adjust their behavior around different people.

german shepherd dog in obedience training
Image Credit: Helga Madajova, Shutterstock

Can I Raise My Dog’s Intelligence?

While breed may affect a dog’s intelligence, their environment also plays a role. Just like humans, dogs can learn to become smarter through education. Dogs that receive more mental stimulation tend to learn faster than other dogs. When they’re exposed to new challenging situations, neural connections form in their minds.

So, giving a puppy a strong foundation in obedience training can help them learn commands more quickly and have stronger communication with you. Providing enrichment activities, like puzzle toys, can also challenge and stimulate their mind. Early socialization and gently exposing a puppy to new people and experiences can also help raise their intelligence.

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Conclusion

While the mental capabilities of a dog are similar to a toddler’s, dogs are still intelligent and remarkable in their own ways. There’s a reason why dogs are known as man’s best friend. Whether it was intentional or not, they made the smart choice of bonding with another smart species and have adapted to survive and thrive amongst humans in a way that’s unique from any other animal.

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Featured Image Credit: Lisjatina, Shutterstock

The post What Is the Average IQ of a Dog? Canine Intelligence Explored (Vet-Verified) appeared first on PangoVet.