What's the Right Walk for Your Pup? A Tail-Wagging Guide to Finding the Perfect Walk.

Here at Milo & Co, we know that every furry friend has unique needs and preferences, making it crucial to personalize their walking routine. This guide will help you discover the perfect option for your pup, ensuring they wag their tails in happiness.

Understanding Your Dog’s Needs.

Before choosing the right dog walk, it’s essential to think about your four-legged friend’s needs. Each dog has a distinct personality, energy level, and physical abilities.

For example, active breeds like Border Collies might require vigorous hikes. In contrast, a Bulldog or Dachshund may be more suited to a leisurely stroll of just 20-30 minutes. Always assess your dog’s age, breed, and health status to find an appropriate walking pace and duration.

Furthermore, temperament plays a vital role. Consider how your dog reacts to various activities. A high-energy dog needs regular physical activity, while a more relaxed dog might be happy with shorter, calmer walks.

Duration and Frequency of Walks.

Deciding how long and how often to walk your dog is essential for their overall health. Veterinary guidelines generally recommend the following:

• Small breeds: 30-45 minutes a day.

• Medium breeds: 45-60 minutes a day.

• Large breeds: 60-90 minutes a day.

  
  

These time frames can be split into multiple, shorter walks throughout the day. For example, a medium-sized dog could benefit from three 20-minute strolls. Consistent exercise keeps your dog engaged and healthy. They also benefit from playtime in the yard or an enclosed area.

Incorporating Play and Socializing.

While long walks are beneficial, don't forget the importance of play and socializing. Socializing is key for your pup’s development. According to experts, dogs who play regularly with new dogs develop better social skills.

Mixing play into your routine doesn't always have to be at a dog park. Simple games like fetch or frisbee can add fun to your walks, keeping your dog happy and active.

Milo & Co Walk Options

Solo Walks (30 or 60 minutes options)

Solo walks are great for any dog. Solo walks are specifically designed to fit your dogs needs and are an excellent bonding opportunity for your dog and their walker. These walks allow your dog to sniff to their hearts desire and take in their environment. Solo walks are perfect for dogs who struggle with any kind of reactivity, along with anxious dogs, under-socialized dogs, older dogs, and puppies. A solo walk is whatever your dog needs it to be.

If your dog regularly displays behaviour such as leash reactivity or aggression, leash pulling, anxiety, or gets easily spooked, or a general lack of leash manners, we would recommend starting with our Walk n' Train option so that your dog's walker can concentrate and work on those behaviours.

Group Walks (60 minutes)

Group walks are a great choice for certain dogs. Our group walks have a maximum of 4 dogs, which provides socialization and pack-walking opportunities for all dogs, while still giving opportunities for personalized attention. While it would be easier for everyone if all dogs could participate in group walks, that would be risky and difficult for both the dogs and the walker. See below to see if your dog would be able to participate in our group walks.

Is my Dog Right for Group Walks?

Your dog might be a great fit for group walks if it displays the following attributes:

• Friendly with other dogs

• Able to walk calmly beside another dog

• Does not display resource guarding or food agression behaviours

• Is able to loose-leash walk in most situations

• Is calm and does not display anxious behaviours in most situations

• Does not display leash reactivity or aggression

• Takes direction from handler well

Still not sure if your dog meets the criteria? That's okay! We require every dog to participate in at least 3 solo walks before joining our group walks, which gives our walkers the opportunity to assess your dog's temperament and walking behaviors.

Walk n' Train (30 or 60 minutes)

Our walk' trains are perfect for dogs who display specific behavioural issues on walks, including but not limited to;

• Leash reactivity or aggression

• Stranger Danger

• Anxiety

• Low confidence

• Leash pulling

Our walk n' trains offer the opportunity for a completely personalized walks to focus on your dogs specific needs. They are a purposeful and structured experience and offer a combination of learning, exercise, and mental stimulation. You dog will recieve the help and guidance that they need, while also getting plenty of opportunities for sniffing and fun.

Our walk n' trains also include a training summary for each walk, plus suggestions for exercises to practice at home. We know that it can be hard to fit in regular training among all of your responsibilities, so these walks are the perfect way to help your dog improve without putting in all the effort, however, dogs learn from practice and repetition, so your will see improvement faster when the dog is also practicing with you at home.

I hope this post has clarified our walking options and how to choose the right option for your pet. Finding the right dog walk that fits your pup's needs can lead to happier, healthier excursions for both you and your furry friend.