Make the Most of Your Walk - A Brigadoon Service Dogs News Article (2008)

A dog needs to walk a minimum of twice a day, for at least thirty to forty-five minutes each time, so that both the dog’s mind and body are given a workout. It is an extremely important ritual for a dog. The owner must act as the dog’s leader during a walk. This means the dog walks next to the owner or behind him—not pulling ahead. If a dog is “walking” a human, and the human is not in control, the dog perceives itself as pack leader at that moment.

Dogs should never set the agenda of where they’re going or what they’re going to do; good dog owners aren’t dragged behind by their dogs. The owners provide leadership—someone to follow, who’ll eventually lead the dogs to food and water and a place to rest.