“Let’s go for a walk” is, without doubt, my dogs’ favourite phrase (or maybe it ties equally with “Tea-time!”). Either way, it’s sure to get them into a super-bouncy, super-excited state of mind. What they don’t know, of course, is where we’ll be walking, and – importantly – how. Because yes: how you walk your dog – spaniel, or otherwise – can have a huge impact on their training, their health, their obedience levels – and more.
For many (including me, years ago, before I studied and understood) ‘taking the dog for a walk’ involved setting out from home on foot or by vehicle, going to pleasant public ground, and letting the lovely creature off the lead for a good romp. With solid recall, of course. But, let’s face it, the walking would be done by the human, with the dog rocketing around at 50mph, having a high old time. With spaniels, we assume they ‘need’ oodles of off-lead time to let of steam and run around for a couple of hours. This actually isn’t true: sure, they need to burn energy, but in rather different ways. My next blogs will discuss the different ways of keeping your dog stimulated whilst out and about – but right now, let’s talk about the actual act of walking.
The “plod”, as I’ve heard it called – dog on lead, walking to heel, a steady sedate pace alongside its owner – is actually great exercise, and it builds bone and muscle. More muscle, in fact, than galloping around like a thoroughbred horse! This is partly to do with the movement of the shoulders, the hips and elbows; partly to do with the surface (typically the ‘plod’ is conducted on pavement or stonier ground), and partly to do with the pure rhythm of it. Dogs that present with cruciate injuries or other muscle or ligament damage typically do so as a result of insufficient strength in those vulnerable areas. “Lobbers” (those plastic throw-gadgets that you can use to chuck a tennis ball for 20+ metres at a time) are also culprits – but honestly, the biggest factor in severe leg injuries is a simple matter of insufficient strength, which can be remedied by solid “plodding” for 10 minutes a day. Not to mention the disciple this brings to the creature!
Off-lead “heel” walking is also fantastic exercise – both a mental and a physical workout. The muscle building factor remains the same as in the “plod”: they’re still going at your own human pace, ideally glancing up at you frequently to check they are doing okay, and to see if you want them to change tack. Here, though, the dog has to concentrate really hard on the pace you are keeping; their challenge being to moderate their own speed in line with you. Here, you can really test your dog: speed up, slow down, pause sporadically, change direction… keep them guessing, in other words!
Distraction walking is another incredible mental workout. This may involve a bit more set-up from you, the owner/handler, but it can be so rewarding. Essentially, here you are asking the dog to keep to heel – either on- or off-lead – past a series of potentially tempting, distracting situations. For instance: you could choose a long line of oak or beech trees, where there are sure to be squirrels. On-lead, you could walk past a field of lovely smelly sheep (do make sure this is on-lead though – for your dogs’ safety!) Or, it could be in a busy place where people are playing ball games, or where there is food around (again – if the temptation is food-based, I’d advocate keeping your dog on a lead unless you are 110% positive there will be no temptation to barrel in and steal!)
Socialisation walking really is as it says on the tin. You might join with a friend, or go to a place where you know there will be other dog-owners with friendly, non-threatening dogs that your pup can interact with. If you don’t know the dog or the owner, don’t let your buddy just barrel in there – make him or her sit and wait nicely, and let the other dog approach. This is just good manners, and it’s also for their own safety. Don’t be afraid to call out to the other owner, if you don’t know them – “Hiya, is your doggie okay with mine being here?” is such an easy thing to call out. 9 times of out 10 you’ll hear “Of course!”, but if you are advised to keep your dog on his/her lead, or to move away and give the other canine space – just do so. It’s no skin off your nose – or your dog’s! Remember that everyone knows their own dog best of all, so if you’re advised to keep your distance, just do it. The dogs will thank you.
On a final short note – timing. I’m certainly not the spaniel police, and as I’ve said, the only person who really knows their dog best is the owner. But I have never believed that spaniels ‘need’ hours and hours of exercise per day. In my experience, 1 – 1.5 hours is absolutely plenty; either all in one go, or split into two sessions – morning and afternoon, for instance. For pups and for seniors, this is the most sensible approach. The really important thing is not quantity – it’s quality. Interact with your spaniel all of the time – keep him/her intrigued, obedient and curious. Don’t be the dog owner who listens to podcasts or joins conference calls on a walk. This is your time with your best buddy, so give him/her the full attention they deserve. That will leave them with the happy state of fulfilment and tiredness that will make them love the phrase “let’s for a walk” more than anything.
Happy walking
Happy hunting
Hail Be Thou x
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