Maintaining a Routine: Why Walking Your Dog is Essential
We all have routines. Morning routines help us feel ready for the day, and nightly routines get us into sleep mode. Many of us likely even have work routines to make sure we get all of our tasks done. With routines playing such an important part in our lives, it should come as no surprise that dogs crave that same consistency and stability. When it comes to pet care, maintaining a routine is a must. Of all the ways to do this, walking is one of the easiest and most important ones.
If you need any convincing about why routines matter so much to dogs, look no further! What it comes down to is having basic needs met. Since we control everything about our dog’s lives, it’s our job to ensure they know we’ll provide everything they need. An article by PetGuide also makes this point and suggests which things to make routine and how to do it. From food to bathroom breaks to personal space, the more things you can keep consistent for your dog, the better!
Having that stability reduces stress and anxiety in your dog, making for a happier and more well-behaved pup. Once your dog knows what to expect and when, they will be less likely to act out. After all, why potty on the floor when a trip outside is guaranteed? Or why try constantly scavenging and begging for scraps when meal time has never been missed? If your dog trusts that you’re going to meet their needs, they won’t be as inclined to resort to desperate measures. Best of all, that trust will strengthen the bond between you and your pet!
So where do walks factor into this? Well, exercise is one of a dog’s basic needs! Dogs needs exercise to stretch their legs and release energy (something we talked about in depth in our second article in this dog walking series). So since they need to do it anyway, you may as well make the most out of it! Walking your dog on a regular basis is a great way of maintaining a routine. The consistency of the activity will comfort your dog, and you can structure other parts of your routine around the walk. Whether that’s always walking your dog right after getting up or walking them every day before feeding them dinner, your dog will appreciate it.
Fitting in enough time for all the walks your dog needs can be hard. If you don’t have a fenced in area outside to let your dog out into, maintaining a routine may even seem impossible. Whatever schedule you need to work around, the most important thing is to remember to be as reliable as possible. Pick some times that work best for you, and try your best to stick to it! The more consistent you are, the more your dog will trust you to meet their needs and the happier you both will be!
We all have routines. Morning routines help us feel ready for the day, and nightly routines get us into sleep mode. Many of us likely even have work routines to make sure we get all of our tasks done. With routines playing such an important part in our lives, it should come as no surprise…