How to effectively walk your dog

If you would like to begin walking your dog every day without any difficulty, then, you should make it a habit and be motivated to do it. You should note that walking your dog is not just for the exercise, but also for the emotional and mental wellbeing. Below are some dog training tips that make walking with your dog easier and fun.

1. Put a leash and collar on the dog.

A time will come when your dog will realize it’s time for you to go for a walk just by you holding a leash. Introduce a collar to your dog at a young age. You should put the leash around the puppy’s or dog’s neck and talk to it. For example, you can say “let’s go”. First, let him get used to wearing a collar and a leash. Start by putting it on him for short periods around the house, then continue increasing the periods and also the environment.  To make it easier, play with him while giving him treats so that he can associate the collar and leash with food and fun which is a good thing.

When shopping for a harness, make sure you check the one with a front clip harness. Note that the right harness won’t solve a thing but you will need to schedule a time for dog training. You want to ensure that the collar is not too tight on your dog’s neck. The best thing is to place your two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck so as to ensure the collar is neither too loose nor too tight.

2. Allow Your Dog Sniff Around

First, you should start to determine the area which is safe and the area you want the dog to explore. Always loosen the dog’s leash for some time to give him an opportunity to take in smells comfortably. Smelling or sniffing is a way in which dogs keep track of what is happening in the neighborhood. A sniffer walk can be very exhausting and time taking compared to a walk with zero sniff breaks. We always focus on just the physical exercise by walking but we should also keep in mind the extra mental stimulation for your dog which can be gotten in sniffing. You can make the walks more enriching by just giving them sometime to sniff around.

3. Decide the side which you prefer your dog to walk.

Time and consistency are important during dog training especially when training your dog to walk. Deciding on a side you prefer your dog to walk on, which establishes its spot. The dog will be comfortable walking with you because he can figure out what to expect.

4. Carry Plenty of Water for Your Dog

If you will be walking for more than 30 minutes or out in a hot weather, ensure that you carry plenty of water for your dog. Dogs experience a harder time regulating their temperature than humans do and therefore, it’s easy for them to overheat. Most of the times, dogs sweat through panting such that they can easily become dehydrated especially during an exercise in hot weather.

Dogs that drink water during walks stay cooler and its easier for them to burn glucose effectively. Ensure you buy a water bottle with a lid or you can use any container at home to carry water. It is advisable to use a water bottle with a lid because it is easy to use and to carry.

5. Ensure Your Dog has Proper Identification

Every time you and your dog leave the house, make sure that the dog is wearing ID tags. It is unfortunate that you can never control everything that happens and sometimes your dog might get lost. Always be prepared to rescue your dog by ensuring that your dog has worn tags which has information about how one can reach the own and has to be up to date.

In case of a microchip, as long as your information as the owner is up to date, anyone who scans your dog for a chip can easily get in touch with you.

6. Pull the leash close to your body.

 The most crucial aspect of knowing how to walk your dog effectively is being able to maintain control so that your dog won’t dictate where you should go or what you should do during the walks. You are the boss and this should be reflected in your walking relationship as well.

Wrap your traditional leash around your hand until there is very little give between you and your pet. Pull the leash close to your body but allow enough give to allow your dog to walk naturally. Your dog will feel the resistance of the leash and realize that getting ahead of you is unacceptable.

7. Talk to your dog.

A dog will always understand the tone in the owner’s voice. Don’t get frustrated when your dog doesn’t respond. Encourage your dog with by saying something nice to him whenever he does something right. Use a firm voice when commanding him not to do the wrong thing, for example, barking at people passersby or other dogs.

8. Reward your dog with treats.

Reward your dog with treats especially when training your dog to walk and also trying to train your dog to stay with the leash. Reward should be timely and consistent.

Conclusion

Patience and consistency are key for example, using the same leash every time. It is also advisable to tire your dog before going for a walk to help him focus during a walk. Going for a walk will provide your dog with physical exercise, a chance to know what is happening in the neighborhood and mental stimulation. Training a dog to walk on its leash is also very important. To ensure that the walk is effective and your dog is sincerely enjoying the walk, try walking the dog from its point of view and also ensure you avoid the common mistakes such as preventing sniffing or smelling and explore time.