A dog that gets enough of the right kind of activity is easier to live with in every other way

Walks aren't just exercise — they're also a chance for dogs to use their nose, see new things, and process the world. Let your dog sniff regularly. A slower, more exploratory walk often satisfies them more than a brisk loop.

Adjust pace, distance, and surface to your dog's age and condition. Senior dogs and young puppies generally benefit from shorter, more frequent outings. Letting your dog choose which direction to sniff for part of the walk — sometimes called a sniff walk or decompression walk — provides more mental enrichment than a brisk circuit at human pace.

Fetch, tug, and chase games build the bond between you and your dog while burning energy. Match the intensity to your dog's age and joints — repeated high-impact play on hard surfaces can wear on growing puppies or senior dogs.

End play before your dog is exhausted. Stopping while it's still fun keeps them eager for the next session. Structured play with rules (start and stop on cue) also builds self-control. A dog who can disengage from play when asked is more reliable in other high-arousal situations.

Mental enrichment can be as tiring as physical exercise. Useful options include:

• •Puzzle feeders — turn a meal into a slow problem-solving session
• •Snuffle mats — encourage natural foraging
• •Short training refreshers — five-minute sessions practicing known cues
• •Scent games — hide treats around a room and let your dog find them
• •New routes — even a small change in walking route adds variety

Senior dogs still need activity — just gentler kinds. Slow sniff-walks on soft surfaces, short play with lighter toys, and food-based puzzles let them stay engaged without taxing aging joints.

If your senior dog is reluctant about walks they previously enjoyed, check with your vet before assuming they've just slowed down. Reluctance to walk can signal joint pain that's manageable with treatment.

Watch for hot pavement in summer (place the back of your hand on it for a few seconds — if it's uncomfortable for you, it's too hot for paws), bring water on long outings, and adjust activity in extreme temperatures.