It’s no secret that dogs need daily exercise. It’s part of being a dog – exploring, sniffing, and interacting with the world in the ways that dogs can. But not all exercise is created equal. You may live in the city, and take your dog for daily walks that surpass several miles. While your dog surely appreciates this, a walk on a sidewalk with little stimulation isn’t as beneficial for your pup as frolicking along a pet-friendly nature trail. Nature walks for dogs are beneficial both mentally and physically.
Nature walks for dogs vs. typical walks
A new trend called “decompression walks” gets dogs back into nature. The intention behind a decompression walk is to remove your dog from the noise and chaos of a city environment and allow them to enjoy stimuli that their ancestors would have experienced in day-to-day life. Nature walks for dogs shouldn’t be rushed; if you can only fit in 25 minutes before you go to work, save the nature walk for the weekend. Dogs should be allowed to sniff interesting objects like fallen logs and rocks at their own pace. The point is not to cram in as much distance as possible in your walk; it’s to let your dog appreciate their environment and explore as they wish.
Some believe that the de-stressing qualities of nature walks for dogs can reduce challenging behaviors like reactivity. Nature walks for dogs can be a tool for behavior change in dogs with anxiety or other issues.
“I used to live in a more urban place, and [one of my dogs] had negative behavior changes if I took him on urban, short leash walks…Now I get him out every day for an off-leash walk…and when I skip the walk, all my dogs have increased anxiety behaviors, meaning destructiveness,” says certified dog behavior consultant Sarah Stremming.
Dogs who have no behavior issues may also benefit from nature walks. For high-strung breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, a nature walk may give them an opportunity to exercise their brains in ways they normally can’t.
Health benefits of nature walks
Of course, it makes sense that a stress-free walk without the noise of city life can help a canine’s mental health. But what about physical benefits? Nature walks can aid in a healthier life overall for your beloved pet.
Walking for just 30 minutes each day increases your cardiovascular fitness, strengthens bones, reduces excess body fat, and boosts muscle strength and endurance. All of these benefits also apply to your canine. Overall, a dog that exercises frequently with their owners is more likely to be healthy than a dog whose only outdoor enrichment is entertaining themselves in a backyard.
Getting out in nature can prevent the rise of health issues in senior dogs such as heart conditions or diabetes. Nature walks can also help aid against pet obesity. Since obesity is a common issue for dogs, it’s important to keep an eye on your pet’s exercise levels.
Getting out in nature with your dog
Nature walks may seem inaccessible for some. After all, some of us just don’t have the luxury of living in an area with many hiking trails or other avenues for getting outside. If you don’t have many natural areas, try just allowing your dog more choice in their walk. Let them pick what way they want to go and “direct” the walk. Or, take some time to let them sniff around the local park at their pace.
Now that you know the benefits of nature walks for dogs, check out our other ideas for making dog walks more exciting. And remember to always leash your dog no matter where you walk!
