Walking the dog has multiple wellbeing benefits for both the owner and the pet. It's something we do and enjoy daily – but are our dog walks reaching their true potential?
Bella & Duke’s canine behaviourist, Caroline Spencer, says having "fun" should be a fundamental part of your daily dog walk. She also says it's important to try different locations when walking your dog, and encourages owners to put their mobile phones away, too.
Caroline also highlights the importance of picking appropriate walking times to avoid the cold weather and emphasises the significance of keeping your furry friend active and warm when out and about.
Here are 10 go-to tips for maximising your dog walks this year...
10 tips for maximising your dog walks
1. Remove distractions – Put away your mobile phone when out walking and make it only about you and your dog. You get the best connection when you are not distracted.
2. Try different locations – Variety is truly the spice of life. It can be mentally draining doing the same walk day in, day out, so let your dog decide whether to go left or right. Live in the moment.
3. Stay active and warm when out and about – Wrap up and ensure your dog is on the move. If your dog is a breed with less hair – like a Whippet or a Greyhound – then it may be beneficial to pop a coat on them if they accept clothing, or make the walk a bit shorter.
12 dog winter coats to keep your pups cosy
Keep your pup snug and secure with this thick quilted dog jacket from H&M. Perfect for a winter's walk, it has quilted seams, a stand-up collar with an open front, and a belt with a hook and loop fastening at the back.
Designed to resist whatever the weather throws at you, this waterproof dog coat is ideal for older pups with joint problems or less fur and has a particularly warm inner lining.
Keeping warm and snug just got a whole lot easier thanks to this gorgeous waxed coat from Joules. In olive green, it has a tweed lining and beautiful bee prints.
In a gorgeous white, this pocket-detail faux shearling dog jacket has been designed to add an extra layer of warmth during those cold winter days. It has two small holes for their legs, as well as a zipped pocket on the back.
This thermal dog coat is excellent for winter walks, thanks to its self-heating technology.
"Our reflective technology lining, combined with a hollow fibre core maximises the dog coats thermal properties," say petslovescruffs.com. "The thermal dog coat has a fleece collar and chest pad to provide greater comfort, improved fitment and allow unrestricted movement."
A warm pet coat is great to ward off the chill during winter. Not sure which one to pick up? We love this technical dog parka, which has been specially developed for short-haired dogs and dogs without an undercoat.
In olive green, this luxurious Barbour coat is ideal for dogs who like the finer things in life.
On the hunt for a warm knit jumper? To keep your furry friend extra cosy, why not pick up this Barbour jumper. Boasting a unique design with a roll neck for elite comfort, it's perfect for them to wear on a Christmas Day walk.
READ MORE: The Barbour Christmas advert 2021 stars Paddington Bear and his heart-warming family
Made from super-soft fleece fabric, this blue fluffy coat has teddy bear ears attached to keep your dog warm and cosy. It also has a stretch jersey fabric, making it easy to pull on and off.
William Morris fans will love this adorable reversible dog coat in the brand's classic print. With a water-resistant, waxed cotton outer fabric, it also helps to keep rain off.
OVER GLAM Medium faux leather sleeveless dog jacket
This sleeveless dog jacket looks so cosy! It has small holes for their legs and black poppers to keep them cosy.
In vibrant blue, this microfibre dog coat is light and absorbent to offer protection from getting cold. It has a click fastener on the back and openings for legs and tail.
4. Opportunities for sniffing and enrichment – Engage your dog’s brain by encouraging them to sniff or play with toys on your walk. It’s also a fun way for the owner to keep engaged and feel connected with their pet.
5. Get plenty of rest – If you and your pet are feeling particularly tired and can’t bear the thought of stepping out into the cold, that’s absolutely fine. Have a rest day with short trips out to do the necessaries. But do make sure your dog gets adequate exercise for its breed.
6. Influencing your dog – Your body language influences your dog so, if you find yourself worrying about crossing paths with other dogs, that could aggravate your own pet. Try looking for a different route where you are sure to have more control.
7. Taking care of your dog post-walkies – Paws can often get clogged up with snow and grit during the winter months, so regularly check when you are out and about as they will become sore if left. Your dog will also get colder quicker.
8. Take in your surroundings – Enjoy the quieter hours of the day and take in your surroundings. Make it a mindful experience.
9. Keeping stimulated - Similar to humans, when dogs don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation they will get bored or even depressed. It’s important you’re engaging with your pet and exploring new places for them to smell.
10. Picking walking times – If possible, leave your walks until a little later when hopefully the sun is up or at least the temperature has gone up a notch or two. To keep spirits high, try take the opportunity when there is a break in the weather.
