Rogue enjoys playing in the leaves at a local park . Sniff walks exercise the brain , which can be more interesting for a dog .
Mike Thomas and Rogue rest by Hardy Lake Provincial Park during one of their WoofWalk treks where they logged 1,000 kilometers during eight months .
Walks together with you and your best friend are going to be the same sometimes . And that is OK . But when I say walk what do I mean ? From when you leave the home to when you return . What happens in between ? Anything you want !
Practice a new skill , have them investigate a new sniff spot , search for some food in the grass , go a different route , go slow , go for a jog , then just pause and take a break . Literally whatever you want . And that one different thing means the world to your dog . And that one different thing keeps you closer together and both looking forward to the next adventure out your door . And when you step out the door , care less about where you get and more about the journey . If we have 30 minutes to walk , whether that is in a circle or a straight line , the same distance gets covered . So , focus on what ’ s fun and go with the flow . It ’ s OK not to complete the initial plan . Heck , even just decide to change the plan if you feel like it , too .
When you are with your dog , they deserve 100-percent of your attention . Whether it ’ s to have fun , help them feel safer , or build confidence . Stop scrolling on your phone . Stop rushing to get it over with . Time is precious . There is a limited amount of it . And you cannot get it back when you use it . They do not have a choice to be with another human , so be the best damn one possible for them . After having said all of that , however , it ’ s all right , even a priority , to have rest days . You and your dog will benefit greatly . Take a trip out for a short sniffy walk . Maybe play in the backyard , do some skill development , or have a cuddle session . Or a combination of those . Recover and reset for the next adventure . We want both of us to be at our best .
Rogue enjoying a trail walk along a rail trail . Mike Thomas made the effort to take Rogue to a variety of locations to make walks more stimulating for her .
The final lesson is adding texture to the daily experiences of the neighborhood walk , visiting a regular park , or walking with the same group . Like I said earlier , those are all appropriate . However , when it comes to making memories , I am personally so grateful that we really looked to dig a bit deeper and explore . We found out how many parks , little crevices , and secret places there were within a walk , bus , or subway from our home . We both took away so much from those new experiences . I will always be a fan of big road trips and day trips to somewhere unique and special . But the memories we create , no matter where , are what matter the most .
So do you have to walk 1,000 kilometers for you and your dog to be happy ? Absolutely not . All you need to do is step out the door and ask : What fun are we going to have today ?
Michael Thomas is Area Trainer for Petsmart in Toronto , Ontario , Canada . He has worked with more than 5,000 dogs in his career thus far . He and Rogue , his Siberian Husky , have been competing in Canicross for nine years . Together they run , bike , rollerblade ( the human anyway ), go on urban adventures , camping , hiking , exploring , and enjoy ice cream . Their bucket list goal is to complete the entire Bruce Trail ( The Canadian Appalachian Trail ) together . Located in Southwestern Ontario , the trail is 550 miles ( 890km ) long from the Niagara River to Tobermory , Ontario and that doesn ’ t include the 250 miles ( 450km ) of side trails !
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Spring 2022 51