How to make a dog walk more fun and challenging?

Every dog owner has to deal with it: our faithful four-legged friends need to be walked. At least four times a day, owner and dog must go out so the dog can do his needs. But walking is much more than "taking the dog for a quick pee". Going on adventures together with our four-legged friends is not only great fun and good for the health of both dog and owner, it also strengthens the bond between humans and animals. But what if you find that the daily walking rounds get a bit boring? In this blog we give you tips on how to make walking your dog more fun and challenging.

Benefits of walking your dog 

When you get a little demotivated about going out with your dog, it's good to take a moment to consciously consider the amount of benefits that hiking brings. Hiking is good for people and animals: it's good for fitness, it gives your mood a huge boost, being outside in nature is healthy, and when you meet other people and dogs on a walk it also provides social contact. In addition, did you know that it has even been scientifically proven that walking with a dog instead of by yourself lowers stress levels? We see nothing but win-win situations!

Daily walks are an essential part of having dogs, so it's important to find ways to keep yourself motivated. The easiest way to do that? Provide variety in the walks! Below, we'll go over several ways to make walking with a dog more fun (for both the owner and the dog).

Provide variety in walking routes

If you walk the same walking routes day in and day out, chances are very high that it will cause boredom in both you and your dog. Variety in walking routes is the key to success in combating boredom. Make the regular walk around the neighborhood a little bigger or smaller or walk the same route in reverse. Do you have a little more time? Then take the car and go on an adventure together in a beautiful nature reserve or take a nice walk on the beach. There are plenty of beautiful hiking trails online, sure to be found in your area.

Plan a "walking date

A moment for yourself while walking the dog is nice, but if you always have to go out on your own, we can imagine that eventually you get a little bored. A good tip is therefore to plan a 'walking date' with a good friend, neighbor or family member. This is fun for you so you have something to chat about, but perhaps this person also has a dog and it also makes for double celebration for your four-legged friend! If the walk is well liked, you may also want to look at opportunities to go out together more often.

Supplement the walk with playtime

A walk doesn't always have to be just a stroll. A fun way to add some extra fun to a walk is to include play time during the walk. Take some toys from home to a park and have fun playing with the dog. Consider a Frisbee, a pull rope or a ball/other object that you can hide for the dog to find. Playing allows for one-on-one time with your four-legged friend, which in turn is good for the bond between you. Fun guaranteed!

Sniffing, sniffing and more sniffing

For a dog, a walk is more than just exercise and doing his needs, in fact, for many dogs it is their daily opportunity to explore the outside world. So during your walk, take a few extra minutes to stop so your dog can sniff around. If you find it annoying to stop every few feet to let your dog sniff, you may choose to take a few "sniffing breaks. Consciously taking a few short sniff breaks is a great way to keep the dog sensory and mentally stimulated.

Another fun way that provides some extra sniffing challenge is to scatter some treats in the grass or just hide some treats at eye level, such as in a tree (TIP: Riverwood reward snacks are ideal for this!). Sniffing games where the dog learns to find a treat and thus is rewarded for his tracking will provide that extra bit of mental situation.

Sit, Down, Stay!

Is your dog known to be a true circus performer because he is well behaved and knows an awful lot of tricks? Super clever! But does he obey just as well outdoors? Outdoors, dogs are generally more distracted, making it a lot harder to keep your four-legged friend's attention when he's surrounded by new smells, sounds and other stimuli. Therefore, you can make walks a lot more challenging by including some obedience training during your walk. Basic obedience exercises such as sit, stay, down and foot are always good to include, but calling the dog back (recall) or command training are also fun exercises to alternate with. Training in different environments (such as while walking) will improve the dog's impulse control. In addition, it is a great way to sharpen your dog's focus.

Let the dog determine the route

We understand that it may not be the best idea for during a morning walk before you have to go to work or for the last walk before you go to bed, but what would happen if you let your dog set the route and pace? Whether he leads you to the park where there are lots of rabbits or takes you to the water so he can have a nice swim; your dog might just surprise you with where he prefers to go. By letting the dog choose the route instead of taking the standard route yourself, you can give the dog a chance to show you what he finds interesting.

Don't forget to enjoy yourself

When you are in a walking slump, walking the dog can feel like an obligatory task that needs to be done. Hopefully the above tips can motivate you to make every walk a treat. The last thing we would like to give you is to especially enjoy the fresh outdoor air and beautiful nature. During your walk, take a few deep breaths and take in your surroundings. It is wonderful to end the hectic day with a relaxing walk with your dearest four-legged friend by your side. And be honest: an enthusiastically wagging dog eager to go on an adventure with you automatically puts a smile on your face, doesn't it? 😊