Yesterday, we had some pretty nasty weather: wind, rain, cold - you know the kind of day I mean! And this was all day. So it got us thinking: Do you REALLY have to walk your dog every single day? 🤔🌧️ Short answer: no. Long answer: it’s a lot more nuanced than the internet would have you believe. We hear “dogs must be walked daily” so often it feels like a moral obligation. But if we’re honest, it doesn’t always line up with reality — especially on days like yesterday when it’s cold, wet, stormy and miserable. Here’s the thing: 🐺 In the wild, dogs’ ancestors absolutely conserved energy. In bad weather or tough conditions, they rested. They didn’t force themselves out for a “non-negotiable daily walk”. 🐕 Modern dogs aren’t wolves anyway. Many breeds were designed for short bursts of activity, companionship, or hanging around humans most of the day, not endurance hikes in sideways rain. 🚶‍♀️ Walks aren’t sacred: needs are. Walks are just one way to meet: - Physical exercise - Mental stimulation - Emotional wellbeing If those needs are met in other ways, skipping a walk now and then is completely fine. 🌧️ When it’s absolutely okay to skip a walk - The weather is grim or unsafe - Your dog is tired, older, sore, or unwell - You swap the walk for enrichment at home - Your dog is generally well exercised across the week Dogs don’t keep score. They don’t know it’s “day 173 of walking streaks.” They know whether they feel settled. 🏠 Great alternatives on miserable days - Sniff games & scatter feeding - Short training sessions (10 mins can exhaust a brain) - Tug, hide & seek, hallway fetch - Chews, lick mats, frozen Kongs - And yes… sleep (rest is biologically normal) 🐾 Breed, age & personality matter A working-line collie is different to a greyhound, which is different to a senior spaniel, which is different to a companion breed. Some dogs genuinely need daily physical outlets. Others are perfectly happy missing a day and snoozing through a storm.

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday period. Sometimes, times get difficult when we’re surrounded by family! Did anyone escape on an adventure with their dog? We managed to get away on walks and a few meals out. One of the country parks near us is a favourite. It’s called Bradgate Park, and it’s in the county of Leicestershire. We went on Christmas Day - the sky was blue but the wind bitterly cold! So beautiful though. Where do you like to escape to?