There are many reasons why people may not be able to walk their hound every day. It could be due to a lack of time, a physical disability, inclement weather, or even a lack of access to a safe walking environment. Another key reason to dial back the walking – or hit pause on walks altogether – is to allow your hound a chance to decompress. If they’ve had a negative experience out on a walk, or are just finding daily walks stressful, then it’s not mandatory to go on one!
Regardless of the reason, there are plenty of alternative options to going for a daily walk with your hound. Here are some creative ideas for keeping your dog healthy and happy without being able to take them for a walk:
- Backyard Exploration: If you have a backyard, let your hound explore and sniff out all the new smells. This can be done by letting your pup have off-leash time in the backyard or by simply throwing a few toys around for them to explore.
- Mental Stimulation: Doing some training or teaching your hound a new skill is a great way to bond with your pup and get some exercise in too. Be sure to start where they can succeed and build on the difficulty. Several short training sessions that end on a positive note is preferable.
- Playtime: Spend some quality time with your hound playing with their favorite toy or even enjoying a game of hide and seek. Hide treats or toys around the house and let your pup find them. This is a great way to keep their minds active and burn off some energy.
- Indoor Agility Course: Create an agility course in your living room or backyard. This can be done with a few household items such as chairs and hula hoops. This is a great way to keep your pup’s body and mind active and to build confidence.
- Go Swimming: If you have a pool or access to a nearby beach, let your pup enjoy some time in the water. This is a great way to get some exercise and have some fun too, though not every hound enjoys getting wet!
- Enrichment Time: Food-based enrichment is a quick way to use up some excess energy and get your hound’s brain working. You can use commercially available puzzle toys, or get creative with DIY options. Check our our article on enrichment here.
- Go for a Drive: Cruising the sights and smells of the neighbourhood from the back seat of the car can be really enriching for a hound that may be too nervous out in the big wide world. Never know, there might even be time for a pit stop at the drive-thru.
These are just a few of the many alternative options to going for a daily walk with your hound. With a little bit of creativity, you can keep your pup healthy and happy without necessarily taking them out for a walk.