The Importance of Balance in Your Dog's Week

Seven years ago, I wrote about the importance of Rest Days for your dog - and even now, it remains our most-read blog post every month. Clearly, this is a topic that you care about. So, on this #DontWalkYourDog Day, let’s dive back into the conversation about walks, stress, and what’s the best approach to your dog's week.

Let's first of all revisit the idea of a Rest Day for your dog.

It means no walks (or short toilet breaks only if you don't have a garden) and removing exposure to the outside world, giving our dogs a chance to fully unwind. This break helps prevent cortisol (stress hormone) production while allowing existing stress levels to gradually decrease. Think of it as a detox, allowing your dog’s mind and body to reset for better emotional well-being. It's their ultimate duvet day!

Why? When the body encounters a perceived threat or trigger (for dogs - it could be other dogs, people, traffic, noise), it releases cortisol, a key stress hormone, causing its levels to rise. While this reaction is a natural alarm system - prolonged or excessive exposure to stress can result in health issues. In our dogs that might be gut issues, low immunity, or skin problems. Behaviourally, it also leaves a dog open to more long-term anxiety issues as they remain at a heightened state of arousal.

The Importance of Balance in Your Dog's Week

We often hear about the importance of regular walks for dogs (and they are for both physical health and to allow natural dog behaviours), but just as essential is ensuring they have a balanced week. Too much stimulation - whether from daily walks, training, or social interactions - can lead to heightened stress levels for anxious dogs, while too little engagement can result in boredom or frustration for most dogs. 

I frequently discuss the importance of balanced weeks with my clients - the benefits of which go beyond your dog, they start with you. Feeling the pressure to train your dog every single day can be stressful, especially when we’re already juggling work, personal commitments, and everything else life throws at us! While training can be fun and is a great bonding opportunity with your dog, if the situations you're training in aren't working for your dog, that stress can easily transfer to you. When your dog is barking, lunging, pulling, or simply ignoring you, it can make the daily walk feel like a chore. But by changing the where, how, and when of your walks, you can bring the fun back to your outdoor adventures and reduce the stress for both of you.

The Importance of Variety

Every dog is different, and what constitutes a balanced week will depend on their age, breed, personality, and past experiences. However, ensuring they experience a range of activities - and rest - will help them remain happy, relaxed, and fulfilled.

Training-Focused Days

Training isn’t just about teaching obedience - it’s about communication and mental enrichment. It might also include strategies you're implementing on the guidance of an ethical dog behaviourist. Training in short, positive sessions builds confidence and focus, providing as much mental stimulation as a long walk.

For young puppies or nervous dogs, these sessions can be particularly beneficial, allowing them to gain skills in a controlled, safe environment rather than the unpredictability of the outside world. Incorporating training days into your dog’s weekly routine ensures they continue to learn and develop without overwhelming them with too much external stimulation.

Bonding in Calm Environments

Some days should be reserved purely for deepening your connection with your dog. This can be as simple as taking them to a quiet space, a secure dog field, or a peaceful woodland walk where they can roam and sniff without encountering too many distractions. These experiences provide quality one-on-one time, reinforcing your relationship and allowing you both to focus on the glimmers around you - not the triggers.

Rest Days: A Chance to Recharge

Not every day needs to include a walk. For many dogs, going out into the world can be a highly arousing experience - filled with new scents, sounds, and interactions. If this is a daily occurrence, they may struggle to process all of that information and could end up carrying excess stress. On Rest Days, activities such as scent games, foraging for food in the garden, and calm enrichment toys can help keep them entertained.

Creating a Balanced Routine

A balanced week of walks might include a mix of long walks in nature, structured training sessions, dedicated bonding time, time with friends, and, rest days. By varying their experiences and ensuring they have time to decompress, you’ll help your dog maintain a stable and happy mindset.