11 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Walk the Dog

Dogs love routine, and so do our brains. Pick a set time, like straight after breakfast or as soon as you get home from work, and treat it like any other appointment. Keep the lead, poo bags and a water bottle by the door so nothing slows you down. When walking is just what happens at 6 am, you stop having to talk yourself into it.

In Queensland, heat is one of the biggest reasons walks get skipped, and it's a real risk for dogs too. Go early in the morning or after the sun drops, and choose shady tracks or grass over hot footpaths. Before you head off, try RSPCA Australia's five second rule. Put the back of your hand on the ground for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog's paws.

This one is my favourite. Everything is better with a decent playlist, so find an hour-long mix to keep the walk upbeat and fun. Keep the volume low or one ear free so you can still hear bikes, cars and other dogs coming.

Your dog depends on you for their daily walk, and their excitement when it's walkies time is heart-warming. A walk isn't just exercise for them. It's a chance to sniff, explore, meet other dogs and spend one-on-one time with you. Dogs that don't get enough exercise can become frustrated, and that can show up as unwanted behaviour at home.

Walking the dog is a free way to get your own exercise in. Australia's physical activity guidelines recommend adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity each week, and daily dog walks can make a big dent in that. A large Swedish study of more than 3.4 million adults even found that people living alone who owned a dog had a lower risk of heart disease.

One tip: a University of Sydney study found that a relaxed, on-lead dog walk is usually light exercise. If you want it to count as moderate exercise, add a few brisk stretches where you walk fast enough to breathe a little harder.

Walks are perfect for practising training outside, where there are real distractions. Work on sit, wait and loose lead walking to give your dog's brain a workout as well as their legs. If your dog pulls, RSPCA Australia suggests you stop and stand still rather than jerking the lead, then reward your dog when they come back to your side. For extra help, find a dog trainer near you.

No need to walk the same old track like a sheep! Once or twice a week, try a new park, waterway, trail or dog-friendly beach. New smells and sights are exciting for your dog and make the walk feel like a mini adventure for you too. In Townsville, check out our list of off-leash dog parks in Townsville. RSPCA Australia recommends saving off-lead time for safe, fenced areas.

We're all time poor, so turn your dog walk into catch-up time. Invite a friend, your partner or the kids along, or team up with other dog owners in your street. Free Heart Foundation Walking groups run across Australia, and some welcome dogs. Having someone waiting for you is a great reason not to cancel.

Start with an easy target, like walking every day for a week, then build up to longer walks or a new trail each month. A fitness app or step counter shows your progress, and a quick photo from each walk makes a fun record to look back on. Reaching a goal feels great and keeps you coming back.

You've earned it! After a good walk, treat yourself to a coffee at a dog-friendly café while your dog enjoys a cool drink of water or a puppuccino. Ending on a treat builds a happy link with walks for both of you.

Some weeks are just too full, and that's okay. A local dog walker can keep your dog's routine going, and a trainer can help if pulling or reactivity is making walks stressful. If your dog seems sore, tired or reluctant to walk, book a check-up with your vet. Find dog walkers and trainers near you.