As much as we love our furry friends, we have to remember that they also need some time to decompress and relax from their daily routine. Dog decompression walks are a great way to give your dog the mental break they need while providing them with a stimulating environment. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about dog decompression walks and how to give your dog the mental break they deserve.
What are Decompression Walks for Dogs?
A dog decompression walk is a walk that’s specifically designed to allow your dog to explore and interact with their environment at their own pace. It’s a time for your dog to sniff, investigate, and engage with the world around them without any particular agenda or direction from you. These walks are meant to be low-stress, low-pressure, and focused on allowing your dog to enjoy their surroundings in their own way.
Why Are Decompression Walks Important for Dogs?
Dog decompression walks are important because they provide your dog with the mental stimulation they need to stay healthy and happy. Just like humans, dogs can become stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed by the demands of their daily routine. Decompression walks allow your dog to explore and engage with their environment, which can help them to relax and feel more content.
How to Prepare for a Dog Decompression Walk
Preparing for a dog decompression walk is relatively simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you have a comfortable and secure leash or harness for your dog. You want them to be safe and secure while they explore. Second, choose a location that’s safe and free of distractions. You want your dog to be able to explore without worrying about cars, other animals, or other hazards. Finally, bring some treats or toys with you to reward your dog for their good behaviour and keep them engaged.
Tips for Successful Decompression Walk for your Dog
Here are some tips for a successful dog decompression walk:
- Let your dog lead the way and follow their nose. You can do this on a leash, in calm areas in the park, forest or in your neighbourhood. My senior loves to go for a Sniffari around the neighbourhood in the evenings, to smell out all the doggies who have walked along the streets.
- Give them plenty of time to explore and investigate. These walks should be low pressure (ideally none) and without having to face triggers. So, if your dog is anxious or reactive, pick a time and place where you don’t encounter many people or whatever your dog reacts to (some dogs might be scared of noises, motorbikes etc, then a street walk wouldn’t be ideal).
- Avoid rushing or hurrying your dog. Make sure you have enough time planned for this time of walk. The goal is not to reach a destination or to be somewhere at a certain time. We rush our dogs often enough – this is their time, to take as long as they’d like to sniff along.
- Stay calm and relaxed yourself, take the time to have a little mental break yourself. You can also, if you and your dog enjoy this, have a little sit down (my senior’s favourite thing to do, to sit in the grass or on a bench with me and watch the world go by before we head off to some more sniffing).
- Bring some treats or toys to keep your dog engaged and rewarded, if needed. If your dog is not yet in the habit of daring to explore on their own, then you might want to encourage them to go off sniffing by throwing a treat or scatter feed some food. I’d recommend to start with higher value and then move to low value, so they don’t get fixated on the food, but the act of sniffing and following whatever sniffs. Alternatively, if your dog really enjoys playing with their toys, then by all means, add in a good session of tug or whatever you both like doing. It’s about relaxation and fun. I highly recommend though to make sure you keep arousal levels in check and also give your dog some time to wind down afterwards (encouraging them to sniff is a great way to do so).
Decompression walks are a great way to give your dog (and yourself) the mental break they need. By allowing them to explore and engage with their environment in a low-stress and low-pressure way, you’re giving them the chance to relax and recharge. Follow the tips in this guide to ensure a successful and enjoyable decompression walk for both you and your dog.
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