Walking vs. running in the yard

[KellyB]

I was wondering what everyone thought about taking a dog for an actual walk as opposed to just letting them run free in the yard/dog park, etc? I have found that my little chihuahua mix prefers to have me throw her the ball and run free in the yard to going for a formal "walk" We have a large yard and she seems to get so much better of a workout that way. Do you think that she needs to be walked for reasons other than exercise? Just curious?

[k8tymem8ty]

I was wondering what everyone thought about taking a dog for an actual walk as opposed to just letting them run free in the yard/dog park, etc? I have found that my little chihuahua mix prefers to have me throw her the ball and run free in the yard to going for a formal "walk" We have a large yard and she seems to get so much better of a workout that way. Do you think that she needs to be walked for reasons other than exercise? Just curious?
if your yard is big enough then that is ok to let your dog out there. i think that you should take your dog out for a walk once in a while just to make sure your dog is ok on the lead outside.

[lassie]

IMO its fine...Although if you take her outside of your yard it will help her to socialise with other dogs and be of more interest to her, .;)

[nancy]

I think it is important to take your dog for a walk to socialise the dog and get them used to all the smells and things they miss out on. Being a small dog chassing arround the yard is probably enough exercise she needs but she still needs to get out. This is just my oppinion.

[retriever crazy]

Thats fine for little dogs but big dog NEED to be walked.
Expeshaly for outsids city dogs like mine. ( Flip is a house dog, Lilly is a outside dog ) They both need it alot !!!!!!!!!!!!

[zoe08]

I think that playing in the yard will be good excercise and can help reduce the number of walks, but I still think it is good to take it for walks. Get it out into a new environment other than the house and backyard.

[Cheetah]

I agree that both running in the yard and talking walks are beneficial... I consider them both necessary for my dogs. I want them to be socialized as well as exercised. >^_^<

[retriever crazy]

yup good point

[MaryGrace]

I think both are good. :)

[xu ming li]

my dog probably gets more exercise running in the back yard,but its really important that i take sammy for daily walks becasue she has been aggresive to strange dogs that owners just randomly let there dogs run up to my leashed dog.

[Zoes_mama]

Well Zoe gets tons of exercise in the yard but I love taking her for walks. Like everyone said, it helps socialize her better with dogs and ppl, and trains her on the leash. Also, I love walking through the woods near my house with my discman. Gives me some thinking time :D