Tips for Walking with your Pet Dog

Before introducing a dog, you probably assumed that walking the dog is about long and relaxing walks while exploring the surroundings and walking trails. In these “pre-dog” fantasies, your four-legged friend most likely obediently minced next to you on a leash, following your every command and looking at you with adoration.

Then you get a dog, and the fantasies dissolve. Why does my dog ​​need to stop and urinate on everything? Why does she have to sniff every blade of grass? Yes, it might upset you, but don’t pull the leash!

After all, walking a dog in a city is important to its health and happiness. Walking keeps your pet moving and flexible and helps relieve problems such as constipation. Regular walks also help the animal not to gain extra pounds. Walking your dog is also important in reducing or eliminating destructive behavior. Animals that aren’t exercising enough, feel limited, or full of excessive energy may start digging holes in your yard or chewing on anything from your boots to cushions.

Walking with you also strengthens the bond with your pet and gives him the opportunity to meet and interact with other people and dogs in the environment. Socializing your dog is very important. Socialized pets tend to be happier and more welcoming than non-socialized dogs, who may be anxious and fearful of new people or animals.

And we didn’t even talk about how a dog affects your health! A study from Michigan State University published in the New York Times found that 60 percent of dog owners who regularly walked their pets met the federal criteria for regular moderate to vigorous exercise. At the same time, almost half of those walking received physical activity for an average of 30 minutes a day at least five days a week. In comparison, only about 30 percent of people without dogs had such regular exercise.

But what about your dog’s weird walking habits? Let’s take a look at some of the freaky (and annoying!) Things dogs do on a leash. Why are they doing this and what can you do to reduce the problem?

The dog urinates while walking

Why is your dog doing this? Dogs have an instinct to defend their territory, and urine is a natural way for a dog to mark their territory. She informs the other dogs that she was there and claims this territory. Terrain marking in animals usually begins at puberty.

What to do? First, check with your veterinarian. Make sure that stopping your dog every three meters to urinate is actually tagging and not related to health problems such as a bladder infection. If it’s a behavioral problem, you can teach her to reduce her need for frequent cues, but you can’t get her to stop doing it altogether. In addition, dogs that have not been neutered or neutered tend to mark territory more than those that have undergone medical intervention.

Lying in the mud

Why is your dog doing this? When you come across garbage or an object with a pungent smell while walking, does your dog stop, fall, and start rolling around the area? Although it is not known exactly where the dogs got this disgusting habit, one version suggests that this trait is inherited from wolves. They wallow in the scent and then bring it back to the pack for further study.

What to do. Keep your four-legged lover of smelly places on a leash (this is important advice, whether he likes to wallow in the mud or not). Teach him the command “Fu!” And then reward him with a treat when your dog obeys. Never pull on the leash to pull it away from a smelly object so as not to harm it.

Pulls on the leash

Why is your dog doing this? Because you are going too slow! Because you are not going there! Because she wants it so!

What to do. This behavioral problem can be eliminated with appropriate training. Use treats and rewards to keep your dog walking at your pace. It prevents the animal on the leash from getting too far away from you. Also, by keeping your dog free of slack on the leash, you can train him to stay close to you while walking. The longer the distance, the more she thinks she is allowed to explore the area, so she pulls the leash.

Lies still and refuses to move

Why is your dog doing this? She may have been hurt, sick, or tired.

What to do. Examine the dog. Erased your paws? Is the asphalt too hot? Is she too hot? Let her rest and drink. If that doesn’t work and there are no obvious signs of injury, use treats to coax your dog home. In general, before setting off, think about your dog’s abilities and exercise needs. For example, an English Bulldog is more likely to expect something very different from a walk than a Labrador Retriever. Never force your dog to go for a walk. If she really doesn’t want it, go back and try again later. Forcing a pet in the absence of its desire can lead to injury. But if the problem becomes chronic, see your veterinarian to see if the animal has a health complication that you may not have known about.

Runs back and forth    

Why is your dog doing this? A dog’s scent is much sharper than yours. You cannot smell all the tempting smells of other animals and people the way she does. She chases smells, looping back and forth, and may not even notice that she is getting tangled under your feet.

What to do. Train your pet to walk beside and on a certain side of you. Create your own rules for walking and train your dog to follow them. You can use verbal cues and treats to teach her how to walk properly on a leash. Still, your dog gets an indescribable pleasure from sniffing, so letting him do it when it’s convenient for both of you is a good thing. Again, keeping on a short leash closer to you will help correct this behavior and prevent you from tripping.

Bites the leash

Why is your dog doing this? She is oh-oh-oh-very glad that you take her for a walk, and she must somehow throw out this energy. And suddenly your leash turns into a tug-of-war game.

What to do. Teach your dog to relax at the sight of the leash, not get nervous. Dog Trainers offers some tips on how to teach her not to be too violent and to reward her if she sits quietly and calmly when you pull out the leash.

Going out for a walk is likely to be one of the highlights of the day for your dog. By teaching her and understanding why she does what she does, you can enjoy your daily walks as much as your darling. Always keep in mind that the walk is just as important and interesting for her as it is for you. So even though her habits are sometimes annoying, understand that it’s okay to let a dog be a dog … Well, maybe you shouldn’t let him wallow in the mud.