Dog Walking
Regular walks with your dog should be a pleasurable activity that benefits both your health and your dog’s, and helps to build a strong and loving relationship between the two of you.
All dogs enjoy walks, and require a certain amount of daily exercise, which is particularly important if you have only a small backyard or no yard at all for them to run around in during the day.
But even if your dog obtains sufficient exercise in the backyard to remain physically fit, walking beyond the fence allows the opportunity to explore new sights, sounds and smells, to meet new people and dogs and to participate in an activity with its owner, adding variety and excitement to your dog’s life.
When going for a walk it is important that the dog remains on a leash at all times to ensure that it is safe from traffic and other potential dangers such as other dogs that may be aggressive. Training your dog not to pull or surge ahead on the lead will help make walking a more pleasant experience for both of you. Allow your dog to explore but keep it under control; it should be taught the command “leave”- meaning to stop investigating the particular tree that has taken its attention and return to the owner’s side.
Dogs come to expect their walk at the same time each day, so you should make it a regular part of your daily routine. Occasionally, vary the route to keep things interesting for both you and your dog.
