Walking the Dog Day
Walking the Dog Day is observed next on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 (80 days from today).
Dogs are considered man's best friends. Today, up to 40% of households have a dog. Lots of joint activities that dog owners and their beloved dogs can do every day. This includes walking or walking. Surely, many of you enjoy taking your lovely dog to the park for a walk. Every year February 22 is Walking The Dog Day, held annually to recognize the benefits of dog walking, as well as encourage people to change clothes, and bring their dogs with them and go for a walk.
Why do dogs need to be walked?
Some people claim that a large backyard dog exercise is enough to keep them happy and healthy.
But dogs need to be walked for many reasons. As well as exercise, being walked allows them to socialize with other dogs, explore unpleasant odors outside their home, and play with their favorite playmates. Dogs are opportunists and optimists, which is why so many people turn inward with joy at the prospect of a walk around the park.
Walking also allows dogs to spend time with their human social group. We should not underestimate the value of one-sided attention between owners and their dogs. Those who are strongly associated with their dogs are most likely to exercise them. Dogs, in turn, act as catalysts for humans to engage with others in their communities.
Not getting enough exercise dogs can develop physical problems, such as muscular, cardiovascular or metabolic diseases and behavioral problems that are indicative of frustration and increased irritability.
How much walking is enough?
Obviously, the exact amount of exercise your dog needs will vary according to its age, breed, and size. A ten-year practitioner in Perth found that people might not walk their dogs much if the dog was sick, old, or a smaller breed. However, all dogs need some time out of the house and yard each day.
As part of the Flippers, Australian Guide Dogs are encouraging owners to take their dogs for a two-minute walk a day - one in the morning and one in the evening. If this seems too demanding for the humans in your dog world, it might be worth checking to see if everyone in your family is taking part in dog walks, so that might share the opportunity.
Benefits of walking the dog for humans
So the benefits of dog walking are clear. The good news is that it is also very beneficial for everyone.
Regular physical activity for humans has major health benefits, but around half of Australian adults are still physically inactive, and have remained so for 22 years.
Dog-walk provides an unrealized, but simple, community-wide solution to the challenge of human physical inactivity. One benefit is that walking can improve mental wellbeing and increase social connection for many people. Modeling the universal walking concept provided surprising results.
If most Australian dog owners don't currently walk their dogs start walking 20 minutes a day, 12-17% of more adult Australians will be active enough.
This would halve inactivity, and could prevent up to 5% of all cases and deaths from heart disease and stroke, and up to 10% of primary colon and breast cancers.
Dog walks are also a great way to get the whole family moving, as a dog can be walked by children and parents. Increased walking has health, social and mental benefits. Isn't it time you took your dog for a walk?
Some notes when taking the dog for a walk
Do not take your dog for a walk without training and learning about your dog
Before taking your dog outside, you need to make sure you can control the dog through previous training. Your puppy can get too excited when he's outside, especially on his first walk. You can train your dog with a few simple commands to keep it within your range. You should also learn about your dog's personality traits to avoid things or places that make him scared or agitated. Keep the dog calm throughout the trip to ensure the safety of the dog and those around him.
Drag your dog with you when it shows signs of moving in another direction
If your dog starts to show signs of pulling you in a direction he likes, pull him back into place. The easiest and simplest way for your dog to understand that he is not allowed to do this is to pull the leash towards you or towards you want him to go. When pulling the leash, you can scold or keep quiet, but don't look them in the eye to keep a serious look.
Please bring drinking water and always pay attention to your dog's health signs
Going out means not having the comforts of home. You need to prepare clean water for your dog because exercise will make them very thirsty. If the weather is too hot, you should leave the dog indoors. Outside in this weather, your dog is very likely to suffer from heat stroke. When exercising in cold weather, the dog should be kept warm with pet-specific clothes because the dog may catch a cold. If you observe that your dog is not doing well, stop walking and go to the vet if necessary.
For safety, please help your dog wear a "mask" too
You can use a bridle or muzzle for your dog while walking. This both helps the dog avoid injuring people around and also prevents the risk of war between the dogs. You wouldn't want a peaceful and fun stroll to turn into a battlefield, would you?
The best place to go for a walk is a park or outdoor play area. The large space will help the dog to play more comfortably. Do not forget to prepare a full meal after walking to restore strength for the dog. You can consider it as a reward when your dog listens to you.
The origin of Walking The Dog Day
Research documents have not shown exactly who created Walking The Dog Day. However, it is believed that someone who regularly walks his dog started Walking The Dog Day.
And with the need to walk the dog, professional dog walkers are very popular today. And the first person credited with initiating professional dog walking was Jim Buck. Starting in 1960, when New York had too many busy businessmen who did not have time to spend with their dogs, Jim Buck embarked on professional dog walking as a job.
Observing Walking The Dog Day
On Walking The Dog Day, there's no better way to celebrate than going out for a walk with your dogs. On this day, many busy people often hire people to walk their dogs. However, it will be better if you spend time walking with your pet dog to bring many benefits to both you and the dog. Share photos of your dogs walking with the hashtag #WalkingTheDogDay
Observed
Walking the Dog Day has been observed annually on February 22nd.Dates
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023
Thursday, February 22nd, 2024
Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
Monday, February 22nd, 2027