Fall is in the air, and the scorching temperatures and dog days of summer are behind us. However, every day is a dog day when you have a puppy at home!
We all know our dogs should be walked according to the amount of exercise your dog breed needs. As responsible dog owners, we’d all like to say we walk our dogs at least twice a day without fail. However, how many of us can truly say we do that?
National Walk Your Dog Week is celebrated Oct. 1-7. Colleen Paige, a Celebrity Pet Lifestyle Expert and Animal Advocate, began National Walk Your Dog Week in 2010 to bring awareness to canine obesity and behavior. Since then, events all over the country have been held to promote the benefits of walking your dog and celebrating our canine friends’ health.
Let’s examine statistics about dog walking, reasons why people don’t walk their dogs, and tips for making the most of your dog walking experience.
Dog Walking By the Numbers: Statistics to Know
We’ve compiled a list of interesting dog-walking statistics that shed light on Americans’ dog-walking habits. Some will reaffirm good habits you have established already, while others may make you pause and be reflective. Use these facts to inspire you to make changes if needed.
Positive attitudes about dog walking
Let’s examine what a sample of Americans believe about dog walking to help us understand the national sentiment. Even though studies have different sample sizes and methodologies, the data is sufficient to paint a picture of daily dog walking. These statistics are pulled from various meta-analyses of dog walking research over the years and are attributed when possible with some sites offering multiple statistics.
According to Forbes.com, 65.1 million U.S. households own a dog out of 86.9 million homes that own any kind of pet. That’s a lot of walking a day!
Attitudes toward dog walking increase if the owner feels a special bond with their dogs. This makes sense because if someone doesn’t feel a connection with their dog, they are less likely to act on caring for their well-being if they aren’t motivated.
Out of owners who do care for their pets, 64 percent of dog owners believe that dog walking is a personal reflection of their love and affection for their dogs. Westgarth et al. found that “owners walk their dogs due to a strong sense of responsibility engendered by the reciprocal social and emotional relationship with them” (2021). In addition, 78 percent of dog owners surveyed believe that their dog should be walked twice a day.
According to a conglomerate of studies, an average of 41% of people walk their dogs regularly, a number much lower than those who believe in walking a dog twice a day. On average, a pet dog is walked nine times per week for around 34 minutes. That means that people who walk their dogs spend about 11 days out of the year at the other end of the leash.
One would assume that millions of people dutifully walk their dogs daily, right? The following statistics paint a different picture of reality though.
Then what are some obstacles people face or excuses people have for skipping walks?
Why People Don’t Walk Their Dogs
Researchers from the University of Liverpool in the U.K. studied over 31 scientific papers from both human and veterinary literature and discovered that a large chunk of the dog-owning population doesn’t even walk their dogs because they claim they get enough exercise in the backyard or are outside dogs. We know the excuses don’t end there, though.
A case of the Mondays
In its inaugural “Dog People Walking Report,” Rover.com notes that 57% of people stated they skip walking their dog at least once a week with Mondays being the most skipped day. And even though they skipped a day, 67% feel overwhelming guilt.
Walking a dog may sound simple in theory, but many dog owners have both legitimate reasons and excuses why they don’t hit the pavement with their pooches.
- Health Issues: Both the dog owner and the dog may face health issues that limit their ability to go for walks. Physical ailments or injuries can make it difficult for both parties to engage in regular exercise.
- Time Constraints: Many people lead busy lives with demanding work schedules and family commitments. Finding time for a dog walk can be challenging when juggling multiple responsibilities.
- Weather Conditions: Unfavorable weather, such as extreme heat, cold, rain, or snow, can discourage people from walking their dogs. Concerns for their pet's comfort and safety often play a role in this decision.
- Lack of Motivation: Some individuals may lack motivation or enthusiasm for dog walking. They may view it as a chore rather than an enjoyable activity, which can lead to inconsistency.
- Behavioral Problems: Dogs with behavioral issues like leash pulling, aggression, or excessive barking can make walks stressful for their owners. This can discourage people from taking their dogs out.
- Safety Concerns: In certain neighborhoods or areas with high crime rates, people may be concerned about their safety while walking their dogs, especially during evening hours.
It's important to address these challenges and encourage responsible dog ownership by providing information and solutions to help dog owners overcome these barriers to regular walks.
What Could Happen When You Don’t Walk Your Dog?
Regardless of breed, all dogs need regular exercise. Oftentimes it’s not enough to play a quick game of fetch or throw a ball inside and call it done for the day. Dogs that do not receive enough exercise, which can be completed through dog walking, face a myriad of health problems.
If you don’t provide enough ways to exercise your dog, he or she could experience anxiety and boredom and exhibit destructive behavior, such as chewing, licking, barking, and destroying their space to create their own version of entertainment. As the saying goes, a tired dog is a happy dog.
Dogs who do not get enough exercise are in danger of becoming obese. The Association of Pet Obesity Prevention released a clinical study in 2022, stating that 59% of dogs in the United States are obese or overweight as reported by their veterinarian. It also noted that nearly ⅓ of owners of overweight or obese dogs thought their pet’s weight was in the normal range, a huge disconnect from the reality of their dog’s health.
In addition to joint and cardiovascular issues and diabetes, one of the most devastating effects of obesity in dogs is the impact on their lifespan. Researchers found that obese dogs have a lifespan 2.5 years shorter than dogs at a healthy weight. We want to give our puppies the best life possible, and a simple walk will go a long way past hanging up the leash.
Making the Most Out of Your Dog Walking Experience
For some of us, we might need a bit of motivation to make dog walking a regular part of your puppy’s daily routine. One step you can take to increase the chances you’ll go on walks with your dog is to be prepared to get the most out of your dog walking experience.
- Pick the right time of day for you and your dog.
- Use the correct dog leash and the best dog harness for your puppy.
- Practice safety first and map out a secure route. Use reflective items at night.
- Prep for an excellent outing with your puppy to enjoy your walk to the fullest.
- Don’t be in a rush; let your puppy sniff around on a scent walk for dogs.
- Examine your puppy’s paws to avoid common issues with dog paws.
- Get your household involved in taking your dog on walks.
Walk a Puppy From Pawrade
If you don’t have a puppy yet, you’ve probably dreamed about your own puppy to walk. We’re happy to tell you that we have plenty of healthy puppies for sale that would love to go on a stroll with you as your best buddy every day. Be on the right side of statistics and join the legions of responsible dog owners who enjoy walking their dogs just the right amount. We hope to hear from you soon!
