04/12/2025
"What do you mean, I don't need to walk my dog!" ⁉️⁉️⁉️
Social Paws Advent Calendar - 4th of December
Yes, it's ok to miss a walk.
In fact I know Sally would of thanked me, particularly in the seasonal period where the parks and roads seemed busier than ever!
A walk is supposed to be an enjoyable experience - for you and your dog ✔️
Yet I've seen dogs stressed out watching the Christmas lights switch on 😢
Dogs shut down at Christmas markets 😢
Fields busy with dog friendly Xmas meet ups😢
Now don't get me wrong...
Some dogs may love the above.
But most likely if you have a particularly sensitive or anxious dog, they'd prefer walks to be a quieter experience where the emphasis is on being a dog. That often means having a good old sniff, their own time and space.
Dogs need mental stimulation and in my experience this can be just as effective in helping them chill out and keep them enriched and focused.
This could be a treat trail around the garden, some trick training, hoopers at home! Anything that is low intensity and engages the brain is a win win mix of brain activity and some physical (without their arousal levels going through the roof!).
In fact even the more excitable dogs benefit from the above - think of a marathon, you've got the warm up, main event and cool down...
Even before a walk doing low intensity activities as above, focusing on mental energy will make walks much easier. A stretch before the main event!
Thanks for reading,
Helen & Tristan
'A family business, where kindness speaks volumes'
