How can you make the dog walks more challenging and interactive?
Do you often find yourself walking the same route? Below are a few tips and tricks to make your dog walks more challenging and fun.
Commands
To keep your dog alert during walks, teach various commands. For example, ask your dog to sit and stay while you walk a few steps away, then call your dog to you on the command “free” or “come”. This helps your dog learn to be obedient in a challenging environment.
You can also let your dog walk at heel for a while so that attention stays on you rather than the surroundings. Another good exercise is to frequently call your dog. Always keep control and be able to get your dog’s attention even when distracted. Start on short distances while your dog is walking ahead, then gradually increase the distance and call when your dog is clearly focused on something else.
This keeps your dog under control and ensures regular attention. Your bond will improve and your dog will stay closer to you during walks, with less tendency to wander off.
Walking on a leash versus walking freely
Many people prefer to let their dog run freely where possible. However, walking on a leash can also be useful and educational. On a lead, your dog has to watch your pace and adjust accordingly, which takes attention and energy. You can use off‑lead time as a reward for good on‑lead behaviour. Your dog also learns that not every walk is the same, which makes walks more unpredictable and engaging.
Detective work
Let your dog use its instincts by hiding small treats in the forest. Ask your dog to sit and wait while you hide them. Give the search command and help if needed. With practice your dog will improve. You can increase difficulty by placing treats in a plastic cup and hiding it; when your dog brings back the cup, it gets the reward inside.
Fetching
Is your dog able to fetch? Take a dummy, ball or other fetch toy to the forest. Throw it and let your dog retrieve it. When done correctly, reward with a treat. Once mastered, hide the dummy so your dog must first search, then retrieve. If you are teaching from scratch, choose a narrow trail with vegetation on both sides so your dog cannot run off, place the dummy about two metres away and give the “fetch” command. Increase distance gradually and practise in different places. Train for success and don’t allow your dog to run off with the dummy; make sure returning the dummy is generously rewarded.
Additional physical exercise
Does your dog love water? Look for places to swim. Fetch games work on land and in water and are perfect on hot days. Swimming is also gentler on older dogs than running. Special hip belts and harnesses such as the Ruffwear Roamer Leash or the Trixie Waist Belt & Leash make running or cycling with your dog easier. For cycling guidance, see cycling with your dog.
Choose a different route
It may sound obvious, but choose a different route or type of area. Many owners fall back on the same loop. Online you can find new walking areas nearby, and with a traditional map you can discover fresh places. Your dog will enjoy the variety with new sights and scents. If you always go to the forest, try a walk through town where your dog can practise walking nicely on the lead around people. If a new route isn’t possible, simply walk your usual loop the other way round.
Company of other dogs
Do you have friends or relatives nearby who also have a dog? Walking together can be fun. First check that the dogs get along. This also provides social interaction with a fellow dog.
Senior dogs and puppies
Please note that the information above is not suitable for every dog. Puppies should not take long walks or jump over tree trunks, and senior dogs may have physical limitations.
Puppy
Because puppies are still growing, do not overburden their joints. As a general rule of thumb: a puppy may walk the number of minutes equal to its age in weeks per walk. It is better to do multiple short walks than one long one; ideally 4–5 short walks a day. A walk can be tiring due to many new impressions, so include simple obedience exercises like “sit” or “come”, and vary environments for mental stimulation. To add mental challenge at home, use a snuffle mat.
Senior
Older dogs cannot walk as far as younger ones. Compensate with mental stimulation such as scent work, and consider swimming to move without stressing the joints. At home you can add challenge with a KONG Wobbler or a snuffle mat.
