How much play does a dog need per day?

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. It’s also important that your dog is able to spend time sniffing, having fun, running and playing on their walks, otherwise they are likely to get bored. If you find yourself rushing dog walks, try to find a better time of the day to walk them, or consider hiring a dog walker. 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. No, even if you have a big garden, it’s important to take your dog out for regular walks too. Exercise is an important factor in dog behaviour, as dogs with excess energy often become frustrated, stressed and find it difficult to cope. Having a good exercise routine may help to improve any unwanted behaviours, but is unlikely to fix the problem completely.

Dogs are not people, they have different needs in terms of food, exercise and sleep. They behave differently - dogs do a lot of digging, shredding and chewing. Even their senses are different to ours, humans are mainly visual animals, while dogs rely mostly on their sense of smell. Enrichment is about how we can improve our dog’s welfare by meeting those different needs and ultimately allowing them to behave like dogs. If you’re like most dog carers, you’re probably taking your dog on a walk once or twice a day. All you need to do is slow down and walk less far, when you walk slower your dog has more time to sniff and explore. Letting your dog track those scents will satisfy and tire them out way more than a game of fetch. Coming home from a walk doesn’t have to mean the end of fun for your dog, there are plenty of ways you can enrich your dog at home without a lot of extra work.