A Practical Guide to Fun and Safe Dog Walks in Australia

By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team

For most dogs, the daily walk is the highlight of the day. It is exercise, but it is also news gathering, social time and a chance to use their nose. Australian walks come with their own hazards, though. Footpaths that can burn paws by mid-morning in summer, paralysis ticks along the east coast, snakes on warm spring days, cane toads in the north, grass seeds in late spring, and baits in some rural areas. A little planning keeps walks both safe and fun.

Key takeaways

Walk early or late in hot weather and check the ground with the back of your hand for seven seconds.
Check for paralysis ticks daily if you live near the east coast, and use a vet-recommended tick preventive.
Keep dogs on lead in long grass and bushland during snake season.
Let your dog sniff. Slow, nose-led walks are mentally tiring and very satisfying.
Know the signs of heatstroke, tick paralysis and snake bite, and where your nearest emergency vet is.
Related: is the pavement too hot, tick paralysis in dogs, snake bites on dogs.

Gear that makes walks easier

A well-fitted harness or flat collar. Many dogs walk more comfortably in a Y-shaped harness that does not press on the throat. Dogs with neck or airway problems, such as brachycephalic breeds, often do better in a harness. See collars versus harnesses.
A standard lead. Around 1.5 to 2 metres gives control and some freedom. Retractable leads can cause injuries and make it hard to react quickly near roads or snakes.
ID. A collar tag with your phone number, plus an up-to-date microchip.
Water and a bowl. Especially in summer.
Poo bags. Always.

Australian hazards and how to manage them

Heat. Dogs cool mainly by panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. On warm days, walk at dawn or after dusk. Asphalt and sand can be far hotter than the air. If the ground is too hot for the back of your hand after seven seconds, it is too hot for paws. Brachycephalic breeds, overweight dogs, seniors and thick-coated breeds overheat more easily.

Paralysis ticks. Ixodes holocyclus lives along the eastern seaboard, from north Queensland down into eastern Victoria. Check your dog every day by running your fingers over the whole body, including between toes, around the ears, lips and under the collar. Use a tick preventive your vet recommends, and remember that no product is 100 percent.

Snakes. Brown snakes, tiger snakes and red-bellied black snakes are most active in warm weather. Keep your dog on lead in long grass, near creeks and on bush tracks, and stick to cleared paths.

Cane toads. In Queensland, northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory, toads come out on warm, wet evenings. Dogs that mouth them can be poisoned.

Grass seeds. In late spring and summer, barbed seeds can work into paws, ears, eyes and noses. Check after walks and keep long-coated dogs trimmed around the feet.

Baits. Some rural and peri-urban areas use 1080 baits for foxes and wild dogs. Look for signs at trailheads and keep dogs on lead in baited areas. Your dog should never eat anything found on a walk.

Water. Avoid stagnant water, which can carry leptospirosis, and blue-green algae blooms in dams and lakes. At the beach, stop dogs drinking seawater.

Making walks fun

Sniff walks. Let your dog choose the pace and stop to sniff. Sniffing lowers arousal and uses a lot of mental energy. A 20-minute sniff walk can be as satisfying as a longer brisk march.
Change the route. New smells keep walks interesting.
Train on the go. Practise loose lead walking, recalls and "sit" at kerbs. See loose lead walking.
Respect your dog's comfort. Not every dog enjoys busy cafes or dog parks. Quiet walks may suit anxious dogs better.
Match the walk to the dog. Puppies need short outings, seniors may prefer two gentle walks, and high-energy working breeds may need more varied activity.

Etiquette

Keep dogs on lead where required, and only let them off in designated off-lead areas if they have a reliable recall.
Ask before letting your dog greet another dog or a person.
Pick up after your dog every time.
Give wildlife space, especially nesting birds and wildlife in national parks, where dogs are usually not permitted.

When it is an emergency

Get to a vet immediately if your dog:

Pants heavily and cannot settle, has bright red or pale gums, staggers, vomits or collapses after a walk in heat (possible heatstroke). Start cooling with cool, not ice-cold, water while you travel.
Develops wobbly back legs, a change in bark, coughing, retching or laboured breathing (possible tick paralysis).
Suddenly weakens, collapses then seems to recover, has dilated pupils, trembles, drools or has bleeding from a wound, after time in grass or bush (possible snake bite). Keep your dog calm and still.
Has brick-red gums, drools heavily, shakes or has a seizure after mouthing a toad.
Shakes its head violently, paws at an eye or sneezes repeatedly after a walk in long grass (possible grass seed).

FAQ

How long should I walk my dog?
It depends on age, breed, health and weather. Many adult dogs enjoy 30 to 60 minutes a day, split into walks. Ask your vet if your dog has health issues.

Is it okay to skip a walk on a very hot day?
Yes. Indoor games, food puzzles and short sniff sessions in shade are safer on very hot days.

Should I let my dog sniff everything?
Sniffing is valuable for dogs. Just stop them eating anything they find, and steer clear of hazards.

Are dog parks safe?
They can be fun for social dogs. Supervise closely, and leave if play becomes rough or your dog looks stressed.

Talk with a vet

If you are unsure how much exercise suits your dog, or your dog seems stiff or tired on walks, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help. Book a Dial A Vet consult.

References

RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. How much exercise does my dog need?
Westgarth C, et al. Dog behaviour on walks and the effect of use of the leash. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2010.
Hall EJ, et al. Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016. Scientific Reports, 2020.
Merck Veterinary Manual. Tick paralysis in animals.

Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.