Tips to Have the Best Walk Ever with Your Dog
While gyms are closed many people are taking advantage of the sunshine and walking outside to get some exercise! If you’re a dog parent, walking your dog is likely already a part of your daily routine, but some dogs can present challenges on walks, making the experience a not so enjoyable chore. We think walking with your dog should be a blast for everyone, so today we’re sharing our favorite tips to have a great walk with your dog!
Use Reliable Equipment
Good equipment is important to have a good walk with your dog. We love easy walk harnesses. We use them with most dogs we walk because it gently discourages your dog from pulling on the leash, and rests across the chest instead of the throat, so there is no choking or gagging. It’s also a great tool if your dog has a tendency to slip out of a flat collar (though if that’s the case, you may want to check the fit of the collar).
Steer Clear of Strange Dogs
When you’re on a walk with your dog, it’s always a good idea to steer clear of dogs you don’t know, no matter how friendly your dog is. Not only are strange dogs a distraction to your pup, there is no guarantee the strange dog is friendly or reacts positively to another dog on leash. Our rule of thumb when another walker/dog is approaching we calmly cross the street or move into a driveway so the other dog can pass without greeting our dog.
Bring Treats
A walker’s favorite! We keep treats on hand during our walks to praise positive behavior, and offer a nice distraction for dogs when needed. Pro Tip: Bring Kibble on your walk with your dog and let your dog earn their meal for the day by practicing positive behaviors on their walk (and avoid some of the extra calories of dog treats).
Utilize Distraction Techniques
If you have a leash reactive dog, distraction techniques can be your best friend during a walk with your dog! “Go sniff” is a great distraction technique that involves tossing some treats in the direction opposite of any distraction, and instructing your dog to go sniff to find the treats. It’s helpful when trying to take your dog’s attention away from other dogs, bicycles, squirrels, etc. Here are some other distraction techniques that you can use.
Allow Your Dog to Explore (with their nose!)
Walks aren’t just for physical exercise! Stimulate your dog’s mind by allowing them to work their nose and sniff around. You don’t need to stop constantly to allow them to explore but by pausing for a couple of minutes on your walk with your dog provides them with some extra stimulation.
If your dog needs additional exercise throughout the day, contact us to ask about visiting your pup while you’re working (at home or at the office), to take them outside for a bathroom break and some exercise. What are your favorite tips to make sure you have the best walk ever with your dog?