How do you know when to take your dog out?
Reuben Mraz
2025-05-24 23:42:15
Count answers: 3
Every dog's daily schedule should include walking to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Typically, dogs require a minimum of one to two walks per day, unless advised otherwise by your veterinarian. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, it’s important to keep them moving regularly throughout the day to prevent their joints seizing up but the exercise they do should be low impact. Walking and gentle running is fine, but it’s best to avoid chasing, jumping, and skidding. Observe what surfaces are more comfortable for them to walk on, they might struggle more on sand or gravel and might find pavements and grass easier and more predictable. It’s also sensible to avoid steep slopes, as they put extra pressure on the joints. Walks give your dog a chance to sniff new smells, explore new places and meet new people and dogs – all of which are really important for their mental wellbeing and confidence.
Jayne Hickle
2025-05-24 23:40:09
Count answers: 6
Being vigilant to your dog’s behaviour is a good way of judging if they are getting too cold. Common signs of your dog struggling to keep warm include: Trembling or shivering, Very cold ears, Whimpering, Hunched back and tucked in tail, Anxious behaviour and unwillingness to continue walking, Limp or stiff movement, Lifting paws off the ground. When walking in ice and snow you should regularly check to see if your dog’s paws are becoming too cold. Be observant to your dog lifting up their paws, limping or whimpering and whining when walking, which all could indicate their paws are becoming too cold. The breed of your dog will be the main determiner for when it’s safe for it to go outdoors in very cold weather. Small and medium breeds with thinner coats will struggle in -4°C conditions. Large breeds can walk in -6°C for about 30 minutes, while smaller breeds should be limited to walks of fewer than 20 minutes in freezing temperatures.
Howell Herzog
2025-05-24 22:23:32
Count answers: 3
Puppies need to toilet regularly and should be taken outside: When they wake up, Before bed, After every meal, After playtime or exercise, After any excitement, for example visitors to the home, Before you leave them and when you come back. Then every 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the puppy’s age. There are signs in your dog’s behaviour that will enable you to predict when they need to go to the toilet. Times to look out for these signs are after naps, after feeding and after they’ve been left alone. These include: Fidgeting, Sniffing around, Beginning to circle before squatting. When you recognise the signs that your dog is thinking about toileting: Take them to the correct place so that you can reward them when they go. Continue taking your dog outside and reward them with lots of praise when they go and eventually they'll let you know when they need to go outside to toilet.
Andre Bosco
2025-05-24 20:36:15
Count answers: 1
Most dogs are comfortable at temperatures between 15-25°C, but this is very much dependent on their age, breed, size, coat length, amount of exercise they're engaging in, health and fitness. Some dogs may struggle to maintain a low body temperature, even in lower temperatures. If it’s too painful for you to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds then it’s too painful for your dog to walk on. Is it dangerous to walk your dog on a warm day? Yes, it can be, but it depends on how hot it is and how well your dog copes in warmer weather. Dogs can overheat on hot days, and some dogs can even struggle in warm weather, especially during the midday sun. Walk your dog in the early morning or evening and avoid the midday sun. Take care when exercising any unwell or dehydrated dogs on hot or warm days, as they may find it more difficult to control their body temperature. Know the signs of heatstroke and watch out for them. Giving your dog a drink during a walk will help to keep them hydrated and cooler, but heatstroke can still happen, even if they have access to water.