16/04/2026
Do all dogs need daily walks?
In short, the answer is no!
I've been going back and forth with making this post as it could quite controversial, especially coming from a dog walker. So, I will preface with saying that that doesn't mean dogs don't need stimulation! It just needs to be provided in a way that wont overwhelm, and allows their nervous system to settle.
There is a general misconception that all dogs must have long walks, sometimes multiple times a day to ensure their needs are met.
Whilst this is true for some dogs, for others, unmanaged walks can have the potential to make behaviour problems worse.
For a reactive dog, daily exposure to triggers does not allow the nervous system adequate time for decompression.
When consistently and continuously exposed, stress hormones in the dog's body stay high, making the next walk even less enjoyable for your pooch. You may notice more hypervigilance, or that they're quicker to react than usual.
For a walk to be enjoyable for our dog, they need to stay under their reactivity threshold. It's our job as owners and advocates for our dogs to figure out what that looks like, as it will differ between individuals.
Environmental management is usually the best approach. However, in today's increasingly busier environments, that can be hard to do. It can seem like the triggers are everywhere! Staying under the threshold of reactivity allows them to process the environment much more efficiently.
So... what can we do as an alternative to ensure our dog is still feeling fulfilled without physical exercise?
🐾 We can provide sniffy walks in areas we know will be quiet & free from triggers
- Sniffing activates reward pathways in the brain, allowing calm and restoring emotional balance
- We're also helping to build back up some positive associations with being outside
🐾 Scatter feeding in these areas will encourage your dog to sniff & fulfill a natural foraging behaviour
- Can also be provided in the garden for even less potential trigger exposure if going out feels like too much!
🐾 At home feeding enrichment; puzzle feeders, lickimats, filled kongs - all providing great satisfaction for your pooch!
🐾 Training games to build confidence (another post coming soon on these!)
- 'Find it' is a really simple one and employs the same techniques as above
🐾 Teaching your dog to just rest & recoup!
- Allowing the nervous system to settle down and regulate again. This is a skill that a lot of reactive dogs can really benefit from learning
A good walk for your reactive dog is measured through their emotional wellbeing on said walk, rather than distance or duration 🐕
Here is Koopa enjoying a calm R&R day yesterday after a particularly triggering walk the day before 💙
How often do you and your dogs employ rest days?
