01/06/2026
Recently, another dog trainer tried to make me feel bad because I admitted that my dogs fall into the “60% of dogs who only get 6 walks a week” category.
And honestly? Some weeks they only get 5.
When did the number of walks become the measure of whether we’re meeting our dogs’ needs?
Surely what matters is the individual dog in front of us.
What matters is:
🐾 What those walks actually look like
🐾 The opportunities they have to use their natural instincts
🐾 The enrichment they receive
🐾 Their breed-specific outlets
🐾 Their ability to rest and relax
🐾 Their overall quality of life
Not every dog needs the same amount of physical exercise. In fact, for some dogs, more walks isn’t necessarily better.
I know my dogs are happy. I know they’re fulfilled. I know they have their needs met in ways that go far beyond simply counting walks on a calendar.
As dog owners, I think we need to stop comparing ourselves to arbitrary numbers and start looking at the dog in front of us.
I’d love to know your thoughts. Has anyone else ever felt judged for not doing what someone else thinks you “should” be doing with your dog?
Ps do they look unhappy to you?
