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

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.