Just like humans, dogs need physical and mental stimulation, and there’s nothing better to achieve this than to take your beloved pup out for a walk every day. You will see many positive changes in your pup’s behaviour, physical health, and emotional state when they get to go on their daily walks!
Not only is walking an excellent exercise for pets, but it also helps to keep them happy and fresh. It is so rewarding to watch our dogs enjoy themselves in the great outdoors and breathe in some fresh air. The best part? It’s super easy and can be done anywhere.
Just in case your dog hesitates to go for a walk, or if it feels tired after a few minutes of walk, some underlying health problem might be causing it. In such circumstances, it is best to take your pup to a vet clinic near you. Our veterinary clinic in Stratford provides complete examination, diagnosis, and treatment services for most types of pet illnesses.
Keep reading for some essential tips to make your dog’s walk as productive and as safe as possible.
Tips to Walk Your Dog the Right Way
Use a Front Clip Harness
One of the most common problems new dog owners face is handling the pet while it pulls on the leash, especially if the dog is an adult. Adult dogs have serious pulling power and can easily drag the owner along if not held the right way. Keep in mind that while learning to deal with the pull is one thing, using the correct front clip harness is another.
In any case, you must ensure that the harness does not hurt your dog during the walk. Depending on the nature of the dog, it might react when pulled back. With that said, opt for something that keeps things comfortable and in control, such as a front clip harness.
Puppy Power
If you own a puppy, you should know how far to walk it each day. Compared to adults, puppies get tired pretty quickly and need a balanced approach when walking. This is something many new dog owners don’t realize. Irrespective of the breed, you should not walk your puppy for more than 20 minutes in the beginning.
Training Your Dog
Training your dog is an essential part of dog walking tips. Initially, you can expect your dog to be a bit stubborn. It would be best if you took it out more often to interact with humans and other animals. However, your dog should always have a leash, so you can practice positive reinforcement wherever required, and soon the dog will get the hang of it.
Stick to a Routine
Perhaps the best dog walking tip is to develop a walking and training schedule and stick to it. If you like to take your furry friend out for a walk at particular times of the day and to unique places, then stick to it, at least at the start. This will allow them to behave nicely. Plus, once they realize they are going to the same place every day, they will be much calmer.
Treat Time
Treating the dog at the right time goes a long way toward improving their behaviour. But it would help if you only offered them their favourite treats when they do something right. Doing so will reinforce positive behaviour and prevent bad or aggressive behaviour.
Let Your Dog Sniff
Dogs love to sniff because it provides them with mental stimulation. You may not like this activity during a walk, but you should allow your dog enough time to sniff around. Sniffing will enable dogs to store information. And at times, sniffing may also allow the pet to protect its owner against potential harm.
Give Your Dog the Best Walk
Not Letting Your Dog Sniff and Explore
As mentioned earlier, dogs have an inherent urge to sniff and explore since their brains are devoted to sensing abilities. Just as humans use different senses to analyze, dogs mostly use their sniffing power. Therefore, dragging your dog away when it is sniffing its surroundings will diminish its mental stimulation.
Pulling on the Leash Hard
While pulling on the leash is essential, you should not do it unnecessarily and excessively. If you pull back, the dog will react, and this is a natural reaction. Pulling each time as the dog goes a bit far will take away all the fun. Teach your dog to walk with a loose leash and reward when they follow your command.
