How to walk your dog

It may seem strange that there is a correct way to walk a dog, after all, don’t you just put on the lead and go?

Actually no, because the important thing about dog walking is that the dog must walk behind their handler and therefore it must learn to “heel.” If they are allowed to lead the way then this can give the dog the idea that they are the alpha member of the pack, when it is important for their own happiness and their behaviour that they understand their place at the bottom of the pack..

Sometimes dogs will walk next to their owner in the manner that they are walking to heel, however this may nonetheless still present the above scenario as it is the person who is making the decisions that teaches the dog who is boss. Did the dog walk out of the house first? Did they wander in another direction at any stage during the walk? If any decisions are made by the dog, even if they walk calmly to heel for the majority of the time, they still may see themselves as leaders over you.

Teach your dog to walk behind you at all times, and correct any behaviour that is dominant. Taking your dog for a pack walk is often a good idea, whereby a group of owners and their dogs walk together, each making sure they dog is walking to heel by their side. Any dominant or aggressive behaviour must be instantly corrected, and this will not only teach them who are the leaders, but will also socialise them well with other dogs.

Although you may feel your dog needs time off his lead, it is best to avoid this in public areas. If your dog is well trained and obedient, a retractable lead is appropriate to use. Whilst walking, let your dog stop to sniff the ground and trees around him, but remember to bring him back to heel when you decide, not when he does. It is fine for your dog to greet passers by or other dogs as long as it is done in a nice way, as this will socialise your dog well and allow him to get used to strangers and other animals.

Walking your dog is a simple process, with just a few golden rules to remember. Ensure he knows you are the leader by walking out of the door of the house first, making sure he walks to heel and making all the decisions of direction and time whilst out together. Otherwise just enjoy the walk and remember it is a great time to bond with your dog.

Have any of you got any tips on walking your dog? Send in your comments below.

Importance of walking the dog

Walking your dog every day is an absolutely vital part of being a responsible pet owner and is so much more than simply a toilet break for your dog, or even a chance for a bit of exercise. Dogs need mental stimulation and social interaction just like humans do, and nice long walks provide both of these in abundance.

Any dog owner will tell you how excited their pooch gets at first site of the dog lead coming out - it is the one thing that dogs absolutely love to do. As a dog owner it is important to supply them with this positive attention by doing something with them that they absolutely love. Walks are also a great opportunity to practice obedience skills too, and it really helps an owner and the dog to bond.

The physical work out of the walk is important too and will keep a dog healthy and happy for a long time to come. Even dogs that have back gardens to roam about in still benefit from being walked as they often won’t get the full exercise they need otherwise. Being able to run freely and explore new sites and smells will provide them with mental stimulation and the physical exercise they need for good health.

Generally speaking, dogs need two walks a day, however dogs that live in apartments or places without outdoor space would really benefit from three or even four walks a day. They don’t have to be hour long hikes, just twenty minutes in the local park is sufficient to fulfill their needs. The best time to walk a dog is after their meal(s) as this is when they are most likely to need a toilet break.

Taking your dog for a walk is absolutely crucial for the health and stimulation of your dog. It is best to get into a daily routine so that it is never missed or put at the bottom of the ‘to-do’ list. Have any of you got any tips on walking dogs? Send in your comments below.