I need to walk my dog every day ... right?

This is a statement/question we hear so often when talking to people about their dogs and their dog's needs.

Why do we walk our dogs?
There are four main reasons

• exercise
• elimination
• mental stimulation
• training 

So lets look at each of these reasons and discuss the pros and cons for each.

 Exercise - 
Just like us, physical exercise is important for dogs in order to maintain a healthy body, so a daily walk or two is a good way of getting the exercise in.  Walks provide opportunities for your dog to participate in natural behaviours, such as sniffing and marking, which will give some mental stimulation, so that's a plus.
Lots of owners believe that going for a walk gives your dog the opportunity to meet some of his/her own kind and behave naturally.  Whilst for some dogs meeting up and having a romp with other dogs is a pleasant, even positive experience, for many dogs it is less pleasant and positive, especially if they are nervous or reactive.  So suddenly meeting up with another dog makes the walk a stressful experience, for both the dog and the owner.  Once aroused it can be difficult for your dog to 'come down' and focus on litening and enjoying the rest of the walk.
Lots of people think that walks allow them to spend quality time with their dog, and this is certainly true if the dog is working close by on a short lead.  But my dog loves to run ahead and sniff around in the undergrowth - he's not really interested in having quality time with me, in his mind he'll get that at home.  Walks for him are more about exerciing the legs and nose.
It also needs to be remembered that, just like humans, the more dogs are exercisesd, the fitter they become and so a cycle of needing more and more exercise occurs, exercise that you, the owner may not have the time or inclination to do.  Your dog then becomes bored or frustrated, and you may see a rise in unwanted behaviours, such as inappropriate chewing, digging, and other destructive behaviours.

Elimination -
 Walking can help stimulate the bowels and help dogs to relieve themselves.  For those owners that don't want elimination happening in their garden, a walk is the only solution.  However, this type of walk does not need to be a long one, just long enough to allow the dog to relieve him/herself.

Mental stimulation -
Walks give your dog lots of mental stimulation as, as they sniff, they are picking up messages from other dogs and animals scent marks.  Scent marking and sniffing these marks is the doggie equivalent of you checking out and adding to your Facebook newsfeed.  Scent marks provide lots of information about the dog, its age, sex, physical health etc,. Meeting other dogs can also provide some mental stimulation as the dogs need to communicate with each other, reading each others signals.
However, lots of sniffing and message reading can be over stimulating and arousing leading to your dog losing focus on you and stop listening.

Training -
Some aspects of dog training need to be done whilst walking or whilst your dog is off lead.  Heel walking and loose lead walkng do need to be practised and taking your dog for a walk will allow you to do this.  Recalling your dog to you is also something that can be practised on a walk, as long as it is afe to let your dog be free in that rnvironment.
However, both these training requirements can be met more appropriately and positively during a short training walk, similar to an elimination walk, or in an enclosed field, rather than as part of a longer walk where the dog may have raised arousal levels and therefore less focus.

So ... do I need to walk my dog everyday??? 
In short no. Your dog will not miss the odd walk, and in fact if your dog has had a negative experience on a walk then actually having a day or two off walking will be more beneficial as it will allow time for your dog's cortisol (the stress hormone) levels to fall.
There may also be times in your dog's life that regular walks are not appropriate, such as when they are puppies, elderly, have conditions such as arthritis, or need crate rest after surgery or during illness.  A dog that has not got used to a daily walk routine will manage better when these times occur as they have practised other activities and are confident with them.

Thre are other ways in which you can exercise your dog, both pyhsically and mentally, and spend quality time with them.

• play fetch or tug with them - it gives them exercise and helps develop a positive bond between you and your dog.  Just remember to let them win once in a while!
• play hide and seek - either hide a toy for them to find, or put them in a wait, hide yourself and call them;
• do some training.   It makes them think and exercises their muscles as they change positions, and gives you both quality time together.  Shaping is mentally tiring as your dog has to do a lot of independent thinking;
• puzzle activities - commercially bought puzzles, home made puzzles are perfect ways of getting the brain working;
• scatter feeding allows your dog to sniff out their food and walk around, so meets both phyiscal and mental exercise needs,as well as helping reduce cortisol levels;
• sniffing activities such as snuffle mats, scent trails around your home and garden, scent work are great ways to exercise and again be working with your dog;
• licking and chewing activities are very calming and tiring, so stuff a kong, or give then a bone or chew to work on.  These are particularly important after negative exerperiences as they help reduce cortisol levels.

Finally, I think it is important to mention you, the owner as you are part of the walking partnership.  There are times when you have had a bad day at work, be stressed by the children, or dog, just not feel up to taking the dog for a walk.    Taking your dog out feeling like this does not provide it with a happy experience as s/he will feel all your tension, stress, even anger, through the lead and become stressed themselves.
So give yourself the right to use the 'get out of jail (well walk)' card and stay at home and give your four legged companion cuddles and something more rewarding for both of you.