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Why Walks Matter: A Dog Trainer in Phuket Explains Your Dog’s Real Exercise Needs

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:54:29 GMT

Are daily walks really essential for your dog’s behaviour and wellbeing? A dog trainer in Phuket explains why they matter more than you think.

Dogs in Nature

Think about indigenous dogs and wild dogs in nature — how do they earn their food?

Dogs naturally hunt and forage. When they wake up, they scan their environment for any changes that may have happened while they were asleep, so they are aware and prepared for what to expect. Then they relieve themselves. Once they have oriented themselves and feel safe, they begin to look for food.

In nature, there are no aisles of kibble just waiting to be scooped into a bowl. Dogs often have to track and hunt for some time before they find something suitable and sufficient. When they finally eat, they have worked for it. This is mentally and physically stimulating, and afterwards, they rest and recover from the morning’s efforts. This process is repeated every day of their lives.

Same Dogs on Different Routines

Dog owners often tell me that their dog doesn’t usually eat in the morning, so they leave food out all day so the dog eats whenever (s)he feels like it. When those same dogs come to stay with me, they start their day with an appropriately long walk — and suddenly they have an appetite in the morning. That tells me it’s less about the time of day and more about fulfilment and purpose.

Of course, there are exceptions. My own dog refuses to eat without a walk or swim (treats do not fall into the same category). He's a golden retriever - often known for having quite the appetite. I also know dogs who will eat at any time of day, whether they have already eaten or exercised doesn't make a difference to them. Generally speaking, however, purpose plays a huge role in appetite and overall well-being.

Purpose or 'Job'

You may have heard trainers, behaviour specialists or other dog professionals talk about giving your dog a job.

Dogs don’t need to earn money to provide for a family. Their role is to secure food, shelter, and safety. So one of the biggest reasons walks are so important is that they give dogs a natural sense of purpose.

When dogs don’t have a healthy outlet for their energy, nor have a sense of connection to their surroundings, nor a use of their natural instincts and abilities, they tend to find their own “job” — whether that’s barking to protect the house, digging in the garden as if there were hidden treasure, or constantly demanding games of fetch.

Surrounding Awareness

Another natural behaviour for dogs is to check their environment first thing in the morning. Walking allows dogs to gather information about their neighbourhood, notice changes, and feel oriented and prepared for the day.

Movement is Medicine

Before dogs were invited into our homes as pets, they were bred to work alongside humans: flushing and retrieving game, herding sheep and cattle, guarding property, pulling loads, tracking, and hunting. These dogs were bred for stamina, strength, and problem-solving.

When you consider that, it becomes easier to understand why simply having free access to a garden — no matter how large — is not enough. As comfortable as our homes may be, they are not a dog’s natural habitat. Dogs are meant to move through space, explore, and engage with the world around them. Limiting them to the same few walls and the same patch of grass restricts their ability to use their bodies and minds to their full potential.

It also gives them the chance to immerse themselves in nature, breathe fresh air, and engage their senses — something all living beings benefit from.

And just as our own health has suffered from sedentary lifestyles and long hours indoors, the same applies to our dogs. Therefore, even before the existential benefits, daily movement plays a major role in keeping dogs physically healthy.

A Suggested Daily Routine

Does this mean you must religiously walk your dog twice a day?

Not necessarily. I like to apply moderation and the 80/20 rule to most areas of self-improvement. If, most days, your dog gets either two walks or one longer walk plus other activities that tap into natural behaviours — such as tug, fetch, scent work, running, swimming, or training — you are on a very good path.

On days when you’re exhausted, give yourself some grace. Play in the garden, practise a few training drills, or teach a new trick. Mental stimulation can be just as valuable as physical exercise.

On days when you have a bit more energy, but still don't feel up for a long walk, head to a park or open space. Use a 5–10 metre long line and allow your dog to explore more freely while still staying safe and under control. (Don't let your dog run up to other people and dogs uninvited- no matter how tiny, friendly or harmless! Don't be that person. Please?)

And when life truly gets busy, consider support — whether that’s a dog walker, a safe and structured daycare, or one of my enrichment programmes and field trips designed to meet yours and your dog’s needs. (Get in touch to learn more).

On the rare days when none of these are possible, short-term mental enrichment tools like puzzle toys, lick mats, and Kongs can help bridge the gap — but they should be seen as support, not a replacement for real-world experiences.

Reflection

While this article has presented you with a range of benefits afforded by walks with your dog, we have barely scratched the surface. Walks are crucial in bonding (dog-human or dog-dog), fostering a pack mentality and offer an array of advantages from a training standpoint.

I will leave you with this thought... Having a dog is not only about what they bring into our lives, but also about the life we are creating for them.

When we begin to see walks as more than a daily chore — and instead as a vital part of our dog’s emotional, physical, and instinctual wellbeing — we shift from simply owning a dog to truly sharing a life with one.

Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

makenacarlyle@gmail.com (Makena Delaney) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:54:29 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

Why Your Dog Listens to One Person but Not Another

makenacarlyle@gmail.com (Makena Delaney) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:54:29 GMT

Why Your Dog Listens to One Person but Not Another

(And How Consistency Fixes It)

Many dog owners come to me feeling frustrated or unsure because their dog appears to behave inconsistently.

He listens sometimes, but not others.
She behaves perfectly with one person, but completely ignores another.
One partner says, “She does this all the time,” while the other insists, “No, she never does that with me.”

What’s important to understand is this:

Both people are usually telling the truth.

First, Let's Understand Your Dog's Perspective

If your dog is listening to at least one person, then defying the other is not a rigid personality trait; it's probably just what they have found to work for them.
Each person brings a different energy, clarity, and set of boundaries into the interaction. Over time, your dog learns exactly what he can and can’t get away with, and with whom! It’s no different from how children quickly learn which parent to ask for what. Like us, dogs are opportunists!

When expectations are aligned, those differences disappear. When they aren’t, your intelligent dog learns the loopholes.
After all, studying you is Brownie's full-time job.

Why Consistency Matters to Dogs (More Than We Realise)

Animals don’t live in grey areas the way humans do. They don’t need to be diplomatic, emotionally accommodating, or flexible to “keep the peace.”
For dogs, internal and external peace comes from clarity, boundaries, consistency, and predictability. (For us too, if truth be told...)

Humans, however, are very flexible with rules, especially when it comes to our pets.

Maybe one person doesn’t allow the dog on the sofa, while another sneaks them up for cuddles when no one’s watching.
Maybe one partner doesn’t tolerate jumping up, while the other rewards it with attention.
Maybe walks with one person are structured and consistently paced, while walks with the other are a wild adventure led by the dog.

To a dog, these aren’t “different styles.” They’re different rule books.
Before you know it, one partner is innocently playing good cop, while the other defaults to being bad cop.

How Does Inconsistency Creep In?

What’s even more confusing for dogs is when the same person has different rules depending on mood, energy level, or time of day.

Maybe the dog is usually not allowed on the furniture, except... when they look extra cute or have just been freshly groomed.
Maybe they shouldn’t be on your lap while you're driving, but... sometimes you give in.
Maybe your dog isn't supposed to chew on socks and shoes, unless... they've got holes in them and need to be gotten rid of.

Most of the time, that inconsistency isn’t intentional. It’s just the path of least resistance.

You don’t reinforce leash manners or house rules because you’re tired, busy, or don’t want to deal with the pushback you know will come.

A Simple Real-World Comparison

Think about traffic laws in Thailand.

Wearing a helmet is mandatory, but how often is it actually enforced? Usually at peak times? Or during holidays? Or when police presence is visible?

Most people take the risk because nine times out of ten, they get away with it.

Dogs learn rules the same way.

If a behaviour is always shut down, it disappears.
If it’s sometimes allowed, it’s always worth trying.

Common Myth: “My Dog Already Knows This” - Or Do They?

One of the most misleading assumptions I hear is:

“My dog already knows this.”

And I understand why it’s frustrating, especially when your dog listens beautifully at home, but suddenly ignores you around guests, distractions, or your trainer.

My rule of thumb is simple:

If your dog truly understood the behaviour in that context, they would do it.

If they aren’t, it’s not defiance. It’s either confusion, excitement, stress, or a lack of clarity in that situation .
Given that they’re an entirely different species, using different communication methods while adjusting to our world, they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Case Study

I once worked with a family whose dog was beautifully obedient, but only with one person.

The father had a calm, confident presence, and the dog responded instantly to him.
With the rest of the family, she pushed boundaries constantly.

The issue wasn’t intelligence or respect. It was inconsistency.

Because dad relied on his presence rather than a shared training system, the dog experienced two different communication styles within the same household.

Once everyone, including the father, committed to using the same cues, tools, and structure, the dog’s behaviour became predictable and manageable for everyone.

Some people naturally have a more commanding energy, and dogs often respond beautifully to that because it feels safe and clear.

But when you have a family dog, systems and structure matter more than personality.

Without them, one person ends up carrying the responsibility (as well as the frustration) alone.

What Consistency Actually Means (And What It Doesn’t)

In my experience, this is the moment where I usually lose my listeners and clients. Everyone likes the psycho-analytics and theories.
But the moment I say, you need to have rules, be consistent, follow through and hold your dog accountable, people decide this method is not for them. They're sure there is another way.
But I want to tell you with all the kindness and honesty I can muster…
Saying there is another way to change your dog's behaviour besides 'doing the work' is like saying 'I'd rather do the 7 day juice cleanse or crash diet than consistently eating clean, nutritious whole foods and cultivating a habit of movement.'

Consistency is often misunderstood.
It doesn’t mean removing joy or personality.

True consistency means:

Clear expectations
Predictable responses
Coordinated communication between humans

Many people think freedom is what their dog wants most.

In reality, dogs want to feel:

Safe
Understood
Fulfilled
Like they belong

Leadership and consistency provide all of that - and they’re often a greater form of love than affection alone.

So How to Reduce Confusion for Your Dog?

If your dog’s behaviour feels unpredictable, start here:

Align rules between everyone involved
Use the same cues and expectations
Decide what is always allowed vs never allowed
Be consistent even when it’s inconvenient

Small changes in human behaviour often create the biggest shifts in dog behaviour.

Final Thoughts

Dogs don’t need every person in the household to be perfect. They need everyone to be predictable.

When communication is clear and consistent, dogs relax. Behaviour stabilises.
Daily life feels easier, not because the dog has been “fixed,” but because the system around them finally makes sense.

This is why I often recommend both partners be present during assessments and training. Alignment doesn’t just improve training outcomes; it changes how it feels to live with your dog.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure why things work for one person but not another, that’s usually where we begin.