Most of us enjoy walking or hiking with our dogs. It is a nice way to get some fresh air, enjoy the local scenery, and get in a little light exercise!
But, are you and your dog getting the most out of your walks together? Here are a few tips to really help you make the most of your walks together!
1. Unplug
I know, we all have our favorite Spotify playlists we enjoy, or want to catch up on the latest podcast or the next chapter in the eBook we’re enjoying. Unplug those headphones, put your phone on silent, and just be present with your dog!
If you were out walking with a human friend to spend time together, would you have your headphones in? Of course not! The same goes for our dogs.
2. Let them be dogs
Taking your dog for a walk should be something you are doing FOR THEM! If you need to hit your step count for the day, make your mileage time goals for a run, or anything like that, I suggest leaving Fido at home. When you walk your dog, allow them to take it all in!
We get the luxury of reading the news, listening to the radio, and talking ot friends all day long. The only time our dogs can get a change of scenery and a take new information in is when we allow it. You don’t have to let your dog drag you all over, but allow them to stop and sniff some “pee-mail” or follow a critter’s trail. They will love it, and you can enjoy watching what they are born to do… sniff stuff!
3. Limit On-Leash Greetings
I know… your dog is friendly! But, not every dog is. Not to mention that meeting while on leash severely limits your dog’s natural greeting tendencies, and can make a shy or unsure dog suddenly aggressive.
If you must let your dog greet other dogs, keep it to 3 seconds or less, and ALWAYS ASK FIRST. Keep a close eye on everyone’s body language, too! Bodies and faces should look loose and wiggly. Any tight or tense bodies or faces are a sign of problems to come.
Even if your dog is great at greeting others, I wouldn’t let them greet every dog they want to. This sets them up to *expect* to greet everyone. There are definitely times in your life that you want to keep moving with your dog, and if you train them that they only get to occasionally greet other dogs, you won’t have to pull them away when you don’t have time to stop.
4. Teach Your Dog to Walk Nicely on Leash
If your dog is pulling you down the sidewalk, it is going to be hard to enjoy a walk with them! Take the time to teach them how to walk without pulling, and you will be set up for years of enjoyable walks with your best bud!
Here is how I teach Loose Leash Walking. The most important piece is… stop letting your dog pull you around! Rewarded Behavior is Repeated Behavior. The more he gets to keep walking because he is pulling, the more he will pull!
To Train Loose Leash Walking:
Gather your leash, treats, clicker and dog’s walking harness.
Hold your leash in your right hand, with your hand against your belly. This is to protect your shoulder, give you more stability if your dog dashes off, and keep things steady overall.
1. Place a treat on the ground, then start walking forwards. Don’t call your dog or encourage them along. Just walk off!
2. Click/Treat when your dog is behind or beside you. Place a treat on the ground beside your shoe, inline with your pants seam.
3. Move forward as they are eating the treat. Click/Treat as they catch up.
4. Repeat!
If your dog gets ahead of you, use your left hand to stop the leash from continuing in front of you while you back straight back, pulling your dog with you. When they are back in position, Click and treat on the ground.