Why dogs love regular walking friends
Most dogs will happily walk anywhere. But ask any owner with a regular crowd and they will tell you the same thing: the walks with familiar friends are the ones their dog lives for.
Here at Packmates we are a small team of dog owners, and we built this because we wanted it ourselves. Every one of us has stood in a car park on a grey Tuesday morning, wondering whether the walk was worth the effort. And every one of us has noticed that the answer is very different when someone is waiting at the gate.
This post is not a study or a scientific claim. It is simply what we, and the owners we have talked to, have noticed again and again about dogs who get to walk with the same few friends.
Familiar faces make for easier hellos
A new dog on a walk is a big event. Tails go up, noses go down, and everyone has to work out who is who. That can be great fun, but it can also be a lot, especially for shy, young or older dogs.
With a dog you already know, most of that falls away. The greeting is quick and relaxed, and then everybody gets on with the important business of sniffing the hedge. Owners often tell us a nervous dog seems to find another gear once they have a regular friend to potter along beside.
Knowing each other's habits helps the humans too. You learn who likes a bit of space, who plays rough, who needs a minute before they say hello. That sort of knowledge simply cannot be rushed.
Walks become something to look forward to
Dogs love a routine, and a walk with friends gives them the best kind. The same time, the same bit of woodland, the same cheerful faces. Plenty of owners say their dogs seem to know which morning it is and start waiting by the door.
Familiar routes help as well. When the humans are not worrying about where to go, the dogs get to enjoy a place properly. They learn the good smells, the best ditches and where the squirrels like to hang about.
You are far more likely to go
Let us be honest about the owners for a moment. It is dark, it is drizzling, and the sofa is warm. A solo walk is easy to shorten or skip. A walk where someone is expecting you is much harder to talk yourself out of.
That works both ways. Your dog gets more consistent exercise and sniffing time because you have a reason to turn up. And you get some fresh air and a chat on days when you might otherwise have stayed in.
I used to dread the wet days. Now I have two people and two spaniels waiting at the park gate, so we all just get on with it. It is the best part of my morning.
What regular walking friends look like
There is no right size for a walking group. Some people have one steady friend, and others have a rotating gang of five or six. What tends to matter is that the dogs and owners suit each other.
- A pair of owners who walk the same loop every Saturday morning.
- A small group with similar dogs, such as a few puppies or a few seniors.
- A friend who joins once a week when their shifts allow.
- A mix of faces that changes a little as people come and go, with a core you can rely on.
Whatever shape it takes, the common thread is that you know each other a little. You know whose dog is nervous around bikes, who has the best poo bag stash and who always brings a flask.
How to grow a regular crowd
You do not need to find your people in one go. Friendships between dogs and between owners both tend to build slowly, and that is part of the charm. Here is the way we would suggest going about it.
Start with one walk
Find or post a walk that suits your dog, and keep expectations modest. A single good loop with one friendly pair is a great start.
See who clicks
Notice which dogs your dog is relaxed with and which owners you enjoy chatting to. Not every pairing will work, and that is perfectly normal.
Add to your favourites
In Packmates you can favourite owners you enjoyed walking with, so they are easy to find next time.
Suggest a repeat
If a walk went well, say so, and suggest meeting again. Walks in Packmates can repeat, so a regular slot is simple to set up.
Let it settle
Give a routine a few weeks to find its feet. Be flexible, because everyone has busy weeks, and be glad of whoever turns up.
Keeping it kind and sensible
Regular walks are lovely, but they still deserve a bit of care. Dogs change, and so do people. A puppy grows up, an older dog slows down, and a rowdy friendship may need a few more rules.
Looking after a regular walk
- Keep an eye on how your dog is feeling after each walk, and speak up if something has changed.
- Check in with the others if you are bringing a new dog or a new friend.
- Pick a public meeting point that works for everyone, and agree it each time.
- Be honest if a walk is not working for your dog. Kind words go a long way.
- Keep your dog under control at all times. Your dog is your responsibility, whoever you are walking with.
If you are bringing a puppy into the mix, our guide to introducing a puppy to other dogs is a good place to begin. And if your walks are a chance to practise good manners, practising recall around other dogs will help.
Find your first walking friend
Packmates is a noticeboard, so finding company is as simple as posting a walk or asking to join one. You can read how Packmates works, explore what is happening near you on the walks page, or have a look at how to join the beta.
We think your dog has a few good friends waiting for them. Go and say hello.
