Going on a Walk

Going on a walk can be very fun for dogs and their owners as well as have health benefits. Humans and pets alike benefit from regular exercise, which walking provides. Walking with your pets also helps you bond with your pet. Lastly, walking with your pet allows you to teach them obedience and proper behavior when walking and interacting in public with other animals and people.

When you are on a walk with your pet, you can stick to your neighborhood or venture out as well as take longer or shorter walks depending on your pets needs. Pets with injuries or weak hips or joints as well as smaller dogs will most likely not be able to go on long walks like big healthy dogs full of energy. A dog may get anxious if they are not in their familiar environment so sticking close to the neighborhood or local park is a good idea at first until you are more experienced.

Some pets may also need harnesses instead of collars while on walks, which I personally recommend. This helps for dogs who may not be perfectly trained walkers yet and tend to pull and walk ahead of their owner. When they pull ahead, their collar tends to pull at their neck causing them to be uncomfortable and choke. A harness is secured around a dog’s chest or body and is centered so the dog is not harmed when walking ahead of their owner. This may even prolong the time you can walk as it eliminates the unpleasant feeling.

Make sure when you take your dog out that it is not too hot. If you are going to take your dog on concrete remember that the pads on their feet/paws can be burned by hot concrete or asphalt. Any time you are going on a walk, especially on hot days, it is important to bring enough water for your dog, they get dehydrated just like us. Even if you give your dog water while on a walk, it is a good idea to always set a bowl of fresh water out for your dog when you get home. Though it may seem like a good idea to put ice in your dog’s bowl to cool them down faster on a hot day, it is not recommended in most cases. Again, just like us, going from extremely hot temperatures to extremely cold temperatures can put their bodies into shock. It is better to just let them cool off on their own with panting and cold water with no ice.

Lastly, remember your dog walking etiquette. Bring some sort of plastic bag or way to dispose of your dogs waste. You can purchase a roll of disposable bags with a container that attaches to your dog’s leash at a pet supply store. Another piece of walking etiquette includes controlling your animal in interactions with other people and animals. Keep an appropriate amount of space between you and your animal and other animals if possible. If you do approach another pet and their owner, make sure your dog will behave properly. If you don’t feel you can control your dog, try to avoid these interactions.

Walking with your dog takes a lot of work and things to remember but it is very healthy and fun for you and your dog. be very fun for dogs and their owners as well as have health benefits.