Walking the Dog Day, February 22: Make the everyday walk better, not longer.
Match the walk to your dog's age and energy, and walk most days. Don't force a long one on a tired dog: a short loop that ends happy beats a march that doesn't.
Still not working?Common mistakes. Chasing length: a short loop that ends happy beats a long march that doesn't.
The fix in 20 seconds
Slush, wind, and a dog who still wants to go.
Walking the Dog Day is February 22: fit the walk to your dog's age and energy, then try a sniffari, a training walk and a new route.
In this guide
Your dog would vote for a walk every day of the year. Walking the Dog Day is the excuse to make that everyday walk better, not just longer.
Benefits of walking your dog every day
Body: moves the joints and muscles and burns energy that would otherwise go into the couch.
Brain: a walk is your dog's news feed. Sniffing new smells is real mental work.
Manners: regular walks are practice for loose leash walking, passing other dogs and staying calm around traffic.
Potty routine: predictable walks make for predictable bathroom breaks.
You: it gets you outside too.
How long should you walk your dog? Fit the walk to the dog
Length isn't the goal. Fit is.
Puppies: short, frequent outings with lots of sniffing and new sights. Ask your vet how much exercise suits your puppy's age and breed.
Young, high-energy dogs: longer walks plus a game or a sniff session. A tired body without a tired brain is still a busy dog.
Seniors: shorter, slower, more often. Soft ground is kinder than pavement for stiff joints.
Flat-faced breeds: avoid heat and keep the pace easy; they have a harder time cooling down.
Three walks to try this week
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For Walking the Dog Day itself, do all three: a sniffari in the morning, a training walk at midday, a new route in the evening. Keep whichever one your dog liked best in the weekly rotation.
The sniffari
Your dog sets the pace and picks the route. You stop for every smell. It covers less ground, but it works his nose and brain, which a brisk lap skips.
Drive somewhere different, or just walk your usual block in reverse. New smells make an ordinary walk feel like an outing.
Gear that makes it easier
A plain leash, poop bags and an ID tag cover most walks. For a dog who pulls, a front-clip harness helps while you train.
The PetSafe Easy Walk is our pick for dogs learning to walk nicely on a leash. The catch: it can slip sideways on a barrel-chested dog, so check the fit before the first walk.
Skip it if: You want firm control. The martingale loop uses gentle, gradual pressure.
