What Your Dog Actually Needs During Their Walk (Hint: It's Not Just Exercise)
- Amy Schwab
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Quick question: Do you know what your dog did on their walk today?
I don't mean how long they were out or how many blocks they covered. I mean what they actually experienced.
Did they get to sniff that interesting corner for a full minute? Did they practice good manners when another dog walked by? Did they explore a new texture under their paws or hear unfamiliar sounds that made their ears perk up?
These details might seem small, but they're everything to your dog's wellbeing.
When we interview potential team members at Betches Walking Betches, we don't just ask about their experience with dogs. We ask them to describe a recent walk in detail. How they knew when a dog needed to slow down. What they did when the dog showed interest in something. How they handled an unexpected situation.
The answers tell us whether someone sees dog walking as a task to complete or an opportunity to enrich an animal's day.
Because here's what we know after years in this work: the dogs who thrive aren't necessarily the ones getting the longest walks. They're the ones whose caregivers understand that every outing is a chance for growth, exploration, and mental engagement.
That might mean spending five minutes in one spot while your dog investigates every scent layer in the grass. It might mean choosing the route with more interesting stimuli rather than the most efficient path. It might mean recognizing when your dog needs gentle encouragement to move past a fear or when they need space to process something overwhelming.
This level of attention requires patience, observation skills, and genuine understanding of canine behavior. It requires someone who sees your dog as an individual with unique needs, not just another appointment on the schedule.
It requires someone who remembers that they're not just exercising a dog. They're shaping that dog's entire experience of the world outside your home.
That's not something you find with just anyone. And that's exactly why it matters who you trust with your dog's daily walk.
If you're searching for professional dog walking services in Los Angeles that prioritize your dog's mental and emotional wellbeing, Betches Walking Betches offers luxury pet care with certified, vetted caregivers throughout West LA. Our premium dog walking and pet sitting services provide the personalized attention, behavioral expertise, and peace of mind that discerning pet parents deserve.
From Santa Monica to Beverly Hills, our trusted dog walkers deliver more than exercise, we provide enriching experiences tailored to your dog's unique needs.
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