1. Need to know: How long is the most suitable time for walking dogs?

　　So how long should you walk your dog every day? It depends on what kind of dog you have. Generally speaking, for small dogs, controlling the walk time to about 20~30 minutes per day is more appropriate, while medium-sized dogs only need about 30~40 minutes per day. If you have a large dog weighing seventy to eighty pounds or more, then basically you should take them for a walk for about one hour daily.

　　The walking time for dogs each day should not be too short. Without sufficient outdoor exercise, dogs cannot expend their energy, and when staying at home, they tend to whine and find things to vent their excess energy. But don’t think that the more time dogs spend outside, the better. Staying outside too long is not necessarily good for dogs. Too much playtime can cause a dog’s mind to become unsettled and wild, which is not conducive to training.

　　【Editor's Note】

　　Daily walking is important. Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger movies can recall that in "True Lies," even when it was pouring rain, the big guy wore a raincoat and took his dog out for a walk. Actually, he was just using it as an excuse to go out and meet intelligence agents surveilling his wife. But it can't be denied, his excuse was very reasonable! Truly born to be a secret agent.

　　2. Be alert: Incorrect walking methods

　　Some owners are busy with work from Monday to Friday and hardly have time to take their dogs out. On weekends or out of guilt, they take their dogs hiking or swimming, doing a lot of exercise in a short period. Actually, exercise cannot be made up later ... Sudden intense exercise can easily cause discomfort to dogs because their bodies are unadapted. If your dog is over 7 years old, such practices can even harm the dog's heart, spine, ligaments, and joints.

　　Some owners are inherently lazy and don't really enjoy walking. But dogs need walks, so what to do? Humans, being intelligent and tool users, may ride motorcycles or electric scooters while holding the leash with one hand and controlling the vehicle with the other, letting the dog run alongside. This seems a good method, but is actually bad for dogs. Except for some special breeds, dogs are not interested in running, especially long-distance running. Otherwise, it wouldn't be called walking a dog but "dog running." Older dogs doing this type of exercise can easily have heart injuries.

　　Actually, when humans walk their dogs, it is also the dogs walking the humans. The best way is to walk step by step; it’s the best exercise and also helps foster the relationship between owner and dog.

　　【Editor's Note】

　　I remember a netizen once said they liked to wear roller skates when walking their dog. The dog did not resist the speed of the skates, but it was too dangerous. Sometimes, dogs suddenly change direction when they see something interesting and run off. The netizen wore roller skates and couldn’t pull the dog back strongly. When trying to call the dog using commands, they often ended up falling on their back with legs in the air.

　　3. Must note: Some dogs should not be walked

　　Not all dogs are suitable for walking. For example, puppies under three months old. Such little pups who can barely walk should just eat and sleep, occasionally receiving their owner’s affection. Female dogs in heat or pregnant dog moms should not be taken out frequently.

　　A friend once took his female dog in heat out for a walk, probably because he was busy chatting with others... days later, he found his dog was pregnant and didn’t even know who the father was. Pregnant dog moms can go for walks, but at first, the duration should not be too long. The owner should pay attention all times. If other male dogs are nearby, the owner must maintain a distance between them.

　　【Editor's Note】

　　Some pet owners like to take newly bought puppies out for walks, but this is not a good habit. Dogs without full immunization or still in the two-week risky period after starting vaccination should not go out, as they risk catching germs. Similarly, dogs that are sick or just recovering from illness are also unsuitable for frequent walks. Look at the animal world: sick animals obediently stay in their nests to recover; who casually goes out for a wander to refresh their mind?

　　4. Please be careful: Walk senior dogs cautiously

　　Senior dogs should avoid exercises that cause very fast and sustained heartbeats and breathing during walks. When breathing and heartbeat stay very fast for several or more minutes, it can easily cause myocardial hypoxia and hypoxia in multiple body tissues.

　　For example, a person walking at a normal speed covers about six kilometers per hour, and neither heart rate nor breathing is overly strained. Switching to jogging increases calorie consumption by about 60%, but oxygen consumption by the heart muscle increases 2 to 3 times. So for senior dogs and humans, running only helps burn a little more calorie in a limited time. But the purpose of exercise is not to burn calories but to promote healthy blood circulation, muscles, ligaments, joints, and internal organs.

　　【Editor's Note】

　　Senior dogs are not like when they were young; walk slowly and rest more. Older dogs are prone to diseases, and walking is not about muscle training but helping their overall blood circulation and maintaining health. Owners should try to avoid letting senior dogs do overly intense exercise when taking them out. (Source: PetsZone)