Essential Dog Walking Tips and Advice
31 Dec 2011
All dogs need exercise, and one of the things that they love most is a good walk. Unfortunately, many dog owners either don’t have the time, or don’t realize the importance of walking their dogs regularly.
Others give it a go, but give up after being hauled around the neighborhood one time too often by an unruly dog. If any of the aforementioned scenarios describes you, pay attention, because I’d like to share a piece of information that every dog owner should know.
“Dogs need their walks!”
Most dog trainers recommend at least 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day for healthy, adult dogs (more, sometimes much more, for certain breeds). And walking should form the cornerstone of that exercise regime.
But there’s more to dog walking than just putting on a leash and setting off. A few basic guidelines will make it much easier on you and more enjoyable for your dog.
Here are a few dog walking best practices for you to follow;
* Choose walk times carefully, avoiding the heat of the day. If you do have to walk when it’s hot, be sure to take water along for your dog, because dogs can overheat quite easily.
* Don’t allow your dog to walk in front of you or he may get the idea that he is the pack leader and this will encourage him to pull. Always walk with the dog by your side.
* Always keep slack on the lead. Every time you pull the dog back you just encourage him to pull in the opposite direction. Rather stop, wait for the dog to calm down, then continue.
* Own the walk. You decide where you go, when you stop, and whether the dog is allowed to mark, or sniff around.
* Stay away from other dogs if you can help it. You have no idea how dogs are going to respond to each other. These situations can quite often end in a fight, so rather turn away and walk a different route.
An unvaccinated dog may also be a health risk to your dog, so its better to be safe than sorry.
* Choose a collar and leash (or a harness) that is comfortable for your dog, but that also gives you complete control over the dog. Also make sure that your dog is wearing an id tag, just in case he gets away from you.
If your dog does escape, the id tag will hopefully result in him being returned safely. For an extra level of security you may also want to have your dog micro-chipped.
* Finally, have fun! Walking your dog can be a really fun activity if you approach it in the right way. It’s one of the best ways of bonding with your dog, it’s an excellent work out for both of you, and your dog will be calmer and more obedient. All of that for just an hour of your time a day.
Click here to learn more about dog training tips, dog care, dog obedience training and other informative dog info at dogsanddogtraining.com

