Play vs. Walk With Your Dog: If You Only Have Time for One, Which Should You Do?

I often get asked: “If I only have time to either play with my dog or take them for a walk, which one should I choose?”

My honest answer: play.

Why Walks Aren’t Always Enough

Don’t get me wrong, walks are valuable. They expose your dog to new smells, sights, and sounds, which helps with confidence, socialization, and overall enrichment.

But here’s the catch: walks are not always genetically fulfilling for your dog. They provide some physical exercise, but they often don’t tap into what your dog was actually bred to do. That missing piece is where we start to see behavioral issues arise.

The Power of Play:

Play, on the other hand, speaks directly to your dog’s instincts and genetic makeup.

For example:

•Golden Retrievers were bred to retrieve. Most thrive when playing fetch.

•Terriers were bred for digging and hunting—games that mimic that can be highly satisfying such as a flirt pole.

A walk might help burn a little energy, but it won’t give your dog the mental workout or fulfillment that play can. Play not only tires them out physically—it leaves them satisfied and balanced.

Play = Fulfillment

I’m not saying walks are bad or unnecessary. In fact, combining both is ideal. But if life gets busy and you have to pick one, choosing play will always give you more bang for your buck.

See our previous blog about why play and rest time is important for all dogs to better understand how balance leads to a happier, healthier pup.

The Bottom Line

If you only have time for either a walk or play with your dog, choose play. Not only will it strengthen your bond, but it will also leave your dog more fulfilled, calm, and content.

Pro Tip: Try to tailor playtime to your dog’s breed and personality. Fetch, tug, scent games, hide-and-seek, and training games can all double as play while also mentally challenging your pup.

Need help on finding the right game to play with your pup? Give us a call at 910.378.9377