When looking over the annual calendar of pet holidays dog lovers may find themselves scratching their heads when coming across Don’t Walk Your Dog Day. After all, isn’t a daily constitutional with your canine companion not only a duty but a delight, benefiting both the physical and mental health of both two-and-four-legged walkers? Yet, there are reasons to sometimes abstain from strolling and follow a new path for the sake of your fur baby.
When is Don’t Walk Your Dog Day?
Don’t Walk Your Dog Day is celebrated every year on April 2nd (the same day as National Walking Day). The pet holiday was founded in 2022 by dog trainer Niki French, author of Stop Walking Your Dog: A Guide to Training Your Nervous, Reactive, or Over-Excited Pup.
This day was designed to make pet parents aware that not all dogs like to go, or should go, for walks.
Reasons for Not Walking
For some canines, a casual jaunt around the neighborhood can cause a great deal of stress for a number of reasons.
Has another dog attacked or acted threateningly toward your dog? Was your dog stung or bitten during a walk? Perhaps the memory of a traumatic event that took place while out on a stroll is stopping your dog from enjoying an excursion.
Dogs can also be fearful of the unfamiliar sights and sounds you might encounter on your walk, or they may panic when wearing a leash.
There is never a need to endanger a dog’s mental health for physical activity, and pet parents with nervous dogs are encouraged to find alternate ways to keep their pup both happy and fit, such as playing fetch in the backyard.
Your barking buddy may also want to back out of their daily walk, at least for a while, due to an illness or injury. Dogs can mask pain well, so be vigilant to ensure that an ailment hasn’t sidelined Spot.
The weather may make Fido feel fearful of outdoor excursions, and any meteorological condition that causes discomfort for your dog is a good excuse to postpone that promenade around the block. Always remember that a dog’s paws can get burned on the asphalt during the summer months, and even a short walk during a winter blast can lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
Age may be a contributing factor to Rover’s reluctance to go for a walk. Along with the tiredness that many senior dogs experience, your canine may have arthritis or hip dysplasia. Swimming would be easier than walking on a senior dog’s joints, and an activity such as teaching your dog a new trick will help your four-legged family member stay mentally active.