{{Short description|Act of a person walking with a dog}} {{other uses}} thumb|A woman walking her dog thumb|right|A dog walking service [[File:Pro dog walker - Tokyo - 2024 Nov 1.webm|thumb|A professional dog walker in Tokyo]] '''Dog walking''' or Walkies is the act of a person walking with a dog, typically from the dog's residence and then returning. Leashes are commonly used for this. Both owners and pets receive many benefits,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/new-rules-woof-justice-pooches/article-2228828-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913041904/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/news/new-rules-woof-justice-pooches/article-2228828-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2012|title=Are new rules woof justice for pooches?|date=29 May 2010|work=Grimsby Telegraph|publisher=thisisgrimsby.co.uk|access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> including exercise and companionship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://walking.about.com/od/dogwalking/a/dogwalking2006.htm|title=Dog Owners Get Twice as Much Exercise - Dog Walking for Exercise|last=Bumgardner|first=Wendy|date=13 November 2008|publisher=About.com|access-date=30 May 2010|archive-date=8 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108081126/http://walking.about.com/od/dogwalking/a/dogwalking2006.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Description== Dogs are restrained by a collar around their neck or a harness,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.annarbor.com/pets/my-mantra-in-raising-and/|title=Commercialism: coming to a pet near you|last=Shaw|first=Lorrie|date=5 May 2010|publisher=AnnArbor.com|access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> or by simply following their guardian with familiarity and verbal control. Commonly, the dog is walked by the guardian or another family member, but there are also professional dog walkers.<ref name="lawyer"/>
Dog owners can also go hiking with their dogs. Many trails mandate that the dogs are on leash, in view of the dogs' safety and the safety of other hikers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hiking Etiquette 101: The 12 Trail Rules You Should Know|work=www.wonderfulwellies.co.uk|url=https://www.wonderfulwellies.co.uk/hiking-etiquette-101-the-12-trail-rules-you-should-know/|accessdate=8 March 2019}}</ref>
==Health benefits== thumb|Two dogs being walked along the waterfront A study by Michigan State University showed that people who walk their dogs are 34% more likely to meet expected goals of exercise, with a recommended level of 150 minutes of activity such as dog walking per week. Matthew Reeves, the co-author of the study said, "There is no magic bullet in getting people to reach those benchmarks but walking a dog has a measurable impact."<ref name=notjust>{{cite news|title=Walkies Not Just For Dogs|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/234034/Walkies-not-just-for-dogs|newspaper=Daily Express|date=12 March 2011}}</ref>
Research conducted by the University of Western Australia has suggested that a higher rate of dog walking within a community tends to cause more interpersonal relationships within that community. The research suggested that people in the community would acknowledge and greet other people in the street, and exchange favors with neighbors, which could possibly encourage more exercise in the community, by giving pets and owners a chance at a healthier lifestyle.
==Professional dog walkers== [[File: Dog walker on skates with six dogs cropped.jpg|thumb|right|This professional dog walker on skates is pulled rapidly down a street by six dogs in Summit, New Jersey, U.S.]] Professional dog walkers, both individuals and businesses, are paid by dog owners to walk their dogs for them. Some dog walkers will take many dogs for a walk at once, while others will only take a single dog.<ref name=" lawyer">{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Lawyer-wants-to-bring-dog.6272446.jp|title=Lawyer wants to bring dog walkers to heel|last=Smith|first=Mark|date=5 May 2010|work=The Scotsman|access-date=30 May 2010}}</ref> The length of a walk might vary by breed or owner's request, ranging from short walks intended to last no longer than the time it takes for the dog to relieve itself of waste, to longer walks with a specific amount of time set by the owner. "The length of walks should take into account the dog's age and health status. Long walks (over 1 hour) should not be undertaken by dogs under 12 months of age for smaller breeds, up to 18 months for large breeds, to protect their bones and joints while they are still growing."<ref>{{citation | url=https://otbtcanineadventures.com| title = Dog Walker - Frequently Asked Questions | publisher=otbtcanineadventures.com| access-date=14 May 2024}} </ref> Also growing in popularity is "dog running".<ref>{{citation | url=https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a20864740/full-time-dog-runner/| title = Full-time Dog Runner | date = 2 January 2018 | publisher=runnersworld.com| access-date=8 June 2018}} </ref> Dog runners are professionals who run with dogs, rather than walking with them. In some jurisdictions, dog walking businesses<ref>{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Sharne|date=2020-12-16|title=How to start a dog walking business|url=https://smarterfinances.co.uk/pets/how-to-start-dog-walking-business/|access-date=2021-11-22|website=Smarter Finances|language=en-GB}}</ref> must be licensed and have employees trained in animal first aid. Professional dog walking services can be obtained locally or through online referral services. Obtaining a position as a professional dog walker has become more demanding, with applicants having to go through extensive training.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/want-a-job-as-a-dog-walker-its-just-like-getting-into-harvard-1507214545|title=Want a Job as a Dog Walker? It's Just Like Getting into Harvard|last=Higgins|first=Laine|date=2017-10-05|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> However, whether or not licensing or training is required, all dog walkers who walk other people's dogs must be aware of best practices such as using a fixed-length leash and weather considerations.
In the United States, the first professional dog walker is believed to have been Jim Buck, who in 1960 launched his dog walking service in New York City.<ref name=margalit>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/nyregion/jim-buck-made-walking-dogs-a-job-dies-at-81.html?hp&_r=0 | title=Jim Buck, Who Made Walking Dogs a Job, Dies at 81 | work=The New York Times | date=12 July 2013 | access-date=13 July 2013 | author=Fox, Margalit}}</ref>
=== Regulations ===
In the United Kingdom, some jurisdictions may require dog walkers to obtain business or advertising licenses. Other regulations require dog walkers to ensure dogs are under control in public spaces, dog feces are cleaned up, and the dogs are not prohibited breeds.<ref>[https://www.protectivity.com/knowledge-centre/laws-for-dog-walkers-2024/ New UK laws for Professional Dog Walkers] 24 April 2024</ref><ref>[https://professionaldogwalkersassociation.co.uk/About-Us/regulations.html Professional Dog Walking and the Law] by Professional Dog Walkers Association (UK)</ref>
In the United States, local jurisdictions may have laws regulating professional dog walking, For example, in San Francisco, dog walkers must be licensed with the city, are limited to 8 dogs on leashes no longer than {{cvt|8|ft|m|order=flip}}, have liability insurance and licenses for each dog, have available drinking water and a first aid kit, and carry a cell phone.<ref>[https://www.sfanimalcare.org/services/dog-walkers-permit/ Commercial Dog Walker Permit] by San Francisco Animal Care & Control</ref>
== Contested dog walks == Much research outlines the benefits of dog walking for the dog and human alike, promoting mental and physical well-being and sociability. However, dogs that display aggression undermine these benefits, “extracting a considerable social and emotional toll for people”.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=O’Hare |first=Paul |date=2024-02-02 |title=A walk with "that wild dog of yours": tales of circumscribed, co-negotiated and adaptive walking practices |journal=Social & Cultural Geography |volume=25 |issue=8 |language=en |pages=1311–1330 |doi=10.1080/14649365.2024.2308912 |issn=1464-9365|doi-access=free }}</ref> Wild animals have been documented adjusting their distribution and activity to avoid areas frequented by dogs,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marshall |first=Holly Elizabeth |date=2023 |title=The spatial and temporal displacement of native species by domestic dogs |journal=Global Ecology and Conservation |volume=44 |issue= |language=en |doi=10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02504 |doi-access=free }}</ref> <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Banks |first1=Peter | last2=Bryant |first2= Jessica |date=2007 |title= Four-legged friend or foe? Dog walking displaces native birds from natural areas |journal=Biology Letters |volume=3 |issue=6 |language=en |doi=10.1098/rsbl.2007.0374 |pmc=2391219 }}</ref> which may place additional stress on wild populations in key habitats or seasons.
==Legal== Dog walking has been banned by the Iranian government since June 2025 in most of its cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/08/iran-has-extended-ban-on-walking-dogs-in-public-reports-say|title=Iran extends ban on dog-walking for ‘public order, safety and health’|date=June 8, 2025|website=The Guardian|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0gngq4wjqo|title=Iran expands dog-walking ban beyond Tehran|date=June 8, 2025|website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202506085340|title=Iran extends dog walking bans to more than 20 cities as crackdown widens|date=June 8, 2025|website=www.iranintl.com}}</ref>
==See also== * Pet sitting * Pet taxi * Dog daycare * Dog walking in Iran
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{commons category inline|Dog walking}} {{Walking}} {{Domestic dog|state=collapsed}}
Walking Walking Category:Walking Category:Physical exercise Category:Articles containing video clips