Is a walk enough or do you belive dogs need to run

Woodward23 · 2023-04-28T08:13:05+00:00

Its got me thinking as I was walking my 6 month old dog around the park. Some dogs were off lead some were on. Whats your view do you belive a on lead dog walk is sufficient enough exercise. Or do you belive dogs need to run their energy out

faffadoodledo · 28/04/2023 09:14

Mine does. But we live somewhere where we won't piss anyone off with an off lead dog in a park. You wait. You'll get lots of posters telling you digs should ALWAYS be on leads.

TheDogsWardrobe · 28/04/2023 09:18

I think dogs need to run. We always keep ours on a lead in public spaces but they get to run and chase each other a lot at home.

Isheabastard · 28/04/2023 09:21

I’ve always believed dogs should be able to be allowed off lead so they can follow their noses at all the delicious smell I have no idea off. So a bit of running is also allowing natural behaviour.

But I live very rurally and the nearby woodland walk is only used by locals. I’m also very anal about watching my dog and knowing exactly where he is all the time. And making sure his recall is good.

Offleyhoo · 28/04/2023 09:22

I think they need both. I do mix of on and off for main walk plus an on lead later in the day. I'd say the free running and sniffing element of the earlier walk is vital for his physical & mental wellbeing. It does of course depend on health & age of dog, weather etc too.

PortiasBiscuit · 28/04/2023 09:23

Dogs love to run, who cares whether they need it, it makes them happy!

Offleyhoo · 28/04/2023 09:23

As pp said, off lead does require keeping a very close eye and excellent recall.

mondaytosunday · 28/04/2023 09:24

Yes I do think dogs need to run. If you have a big yard and they are happy to chase a ball around, that in addition to a walk might be fine. Some dogs aren't that interested though.
I do know owners who never let their dogs off for whatever reason (snd you shouldn't unless your dog is friendly and has reliable recall), but hopefully they get exercise at home too.
I have two. One who is a bit overly friendly and not great on recall, the other the most obedient thing ever. However, the former loved a run and I tried to find a places where he could get a good run (ball obsessed). He's now almost 14 so doesn't run much anymore. The younger one really isn't interested in balls or playing - she's off the lead a lot but doesn't do much running.

Tootlingalong · 28/04/2023 09:25

For me ideally both, we walk our dogs twice a day on lead and hire a dog walking field once a week so they get to run for an hour. One of our dogs is an ex-hunting rescue and has very poor recall so this works best for us.

AndrexPuppy · 28/04/2023 09:27

Mine does but I don’t believe it applies to all.

I do think an entire life of pavement only, on-lead walks is a bit of a sad thing for a dog though but that’s different to never being off-lead or not being allowed to run.

Buildingthefuture · 28/04/2023 09:31

I definitely think they need off lead free running time. Mine go bananas in the woods, running and sniffing and following scents, they love it! But they have 100% recall and are trained to ignore and avoid other dogs and people. I wouldn’t let them off if they didn’t.

EdithStourton · 28/04/2023 09:32

Need to run. I see dogs locally who I never see off lead and some of them are so pent up and frustrated.

Flatandhappy · 28/04/2023 09:35

Where I live in Aus there are “dog off leash areas” in parks. Sometimes enclosed, sometimes not. There are often times where they are allowed off leash on beaches too, other than that you are supposed walk your dog on a lead. I think it’s nice for dogs to get a good run if you don’t have enough space for them to do it at home but obviously there will be a difference between dog breeds/sizes.

twistyizzy · 28/04/2023 09:36

Of course they need to run but even more they need to sniff. Sniffing is like us reading a newspaper and it tells them about their world. In addition it offers mental stimulation and acts to calm anxiety etc. In my opinion it is cruel to keep dogs on a lead BUT this then means you have to train your dog in recall and manners which sadly 80% of dog owners fail to do!

Simonjt · 28/04/2023 09:37

All animals need a regular opportunity to run for their health, dogs and us included.

wildinthecountry · 28/04/2023 09:40

Yes of course they need off lead time , but someone will be along soon saying why shouldn't .

faffadoodledo · 28/04/2023 09:41

Yes to sniffs! My pet peeve is seeing runners tearing along with their digs on a leash being forced to go at their pace. And not being give a chance to sniff. Indeed being actively yanked away from the sniffs.
I know canicross is a thing. Hopefully that's a bit more dog led tho. Maybe?

FridayNeverHesitate · 28/04/2023 09:52

I think most dogs need to run free each day, if possible. I have a Cavalier and she's only small, but she clearly gets so much pleasure and excitement from dashing through the woods and following her nose. An entirely on-lead walk is much less fun for her.

I do feel that the current calls for all dogs to be on lead at all times will, if implemented, lead to an increase in destructive and aggressive behaviour from bored, frustrated and under-exercised dogs. I don't believe in anthropomorphising animals generally, but we wouldn't expect a human toddler to be happy and fulfilled if we kept them in reins when visiting the playground, and the requirement of a dog for free running and exploration are quite similar.

That said, I think dog ownership needs to be much more closely regulated, and I don't believe that dogs should be in shops and restaurants (on lead or off). Dog ownership is a privilege and owners have an obligation to train and socialise their dogs to be under excellent control even when off lead.

SirChenjins · 28/04/2023 09:53

A combination of walks with sniffing/training and off-lead runs when their recall is good and they can be trusted not to approach on-lead dogs. I see plenty of the latter who run about crazy while their owner is up ahead paying no attention to them or shouting 'they just want to play'.

NBLarsen · 28/04/2023 09:54

Mine is always walked on a lead, his recall isn't good enough to walk without it, but I let him steer the walk so we go where he wants to walk and sometimes we stop every 5cm to sniff every blade of grass - that's what he wants to do. Then once each week we go to a fenced off area so he can go crazy running around, he'll only run for 15 minutes then he's zonked out for hours! (Rescued ex-racing greyhound)

TakeMyStrongHand · 28/04/2023 10:06

I have an ignorant Akita. He is never off the lead but has a long line. The walk is for him and he guides it. There is a lot of time stood sniffing. He's too lazy to run really but every so often we do. He is extremely happy after his walks. He would be even happier off lead chasing all the wildlife and causing carnage but no one else would.

MuffinToSeeHere · 28/04/2023 10:11

Sniffing is way more important than running! A neighbour near us has a gorgeous collie who runs miles attached to a waist belt but she is also very destructive and yet no amount of explanation when we bump into them that it's because she is never allowed to stop and sniff makes any difference. Some people foolishly think the best and quickest way to tire a dog is by running and won't be told otherwise.

Purplecatshopaholic · 28/04/2023 10:14

NBLarsen · 28/04/2023 09:54

Mine is always walked on a lead, his recall isn't good enough to walk without it, but I let him steer the walk so we go where he wants to walk and sometimes we stop every 5cm to sniff every blade of grass - that's what he wants to do. Then once each week we go to a fenced off area so he can go crazy running around, he'll only run for 15 minutes then he's zonked out for hours! (Rescued ex-racing greyhound)

Similar. I have a sight hound (Spanish Podenco) - they have little to no recall - no one I know walks theirs off lead. My boy are I are out at least twice a day, always on the lead, with regular trips to the dog park for a run about. Like grey hounds though, Podencos are really lazy - you pay for half an hour and he runs for about 2 minutes of that, lol.

ErrolTheDragon · 28/04/2023 10:22

Depends on the dog, obviously. My standard dachshund didn't need to run other than in the garden (was a great hill walker though).

Don't get one that absolutely needs to run (more than in your garden or on a leash with you) if you live somewhere inappropriate - city, or countryside with stock and/or ground nesting birds.

SomePosters · 28/04/2023 10:26

Well my whippet cross would become massively depressed if she couldn’t stretch her long legs.

The sheer joy with which she bounds about tells me she needs it.

I wouldn’t be happy to be walked only on a lead, I wouldn’t do that to a child and I won’t do it to a dog.

Some dogs would be less phased but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be given that freedom.

Recall is everything and it’s a skill you need to practice and practice with them

alloalloallo · 28/04/2023 10:29

I’ve got a springer and she really needs a good off lead walk every day.

She loves the beach, swimming, following interesting smells and just blasting off as fast as she can so she gets an off lead walk nearly every day, but, her recall is brilliant, she’s not interested in other dogs/people and we go to quiet, out of the way places where it’s allowed/appropriate to let her off.

We also play lots of sniffing games, zoomies in the garden, hide and seek games, etc at home with her.