Helpful Information And Advice On Dog Walking
All dogs need exercise, and one of the things that they love most is a good walk. Unfortunately, many dog owners either don’t have the time, or don’t realize the importance of walking their dogs regularly.
Others give it a go, but give up after being hauled around the neighborhood one time too often by an unruly dog. If any of the aforementioned scenarios describes you, pay attention, because I'd like to share a piece of information that every dog owner should know.
“Dogs need their walks!”
Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet
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Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet
As any dog trainer will tell you, a dog needs to be exercised every day. Depending on breed, age, size and so on this can range from a short 30 minute walk, to hours of vigorous activity. But the point is that exercise is essential, and walking is probably the best exercise there is for a dog.
But dog walking is more than simply clipping on the dog’s lead and heading out the door. A few simple guidelines will make it an altogether more enjoyable experience, for you and the dog.
Here are some best practices you can follow;
* Choose walk times carefully, avoiding the heat of the day. If you do have to walk when it's hot, be sure to take water along for your dog, because dogs can overheat quite easily.
* Teach your dog to walk next to you rather than in front. A dog that takes the lead is more likely to become aggressive and pull on the lead, as he sees himself as leader and protector.
* Don't pull back on the lead because this will just encourage your dog to pull back. Try to always keep a relaxed grip, and if your dog does pull, stop and wait for him to calm down before continuing.
* Own the walk. You decide where you go, when you stop, and whether the dog is allowed to mark, or sniff around.
* Avoid other dogs. You never know how two dogs are going to react towards one another. Quite often these encounters will end up in a fight. If you have a small dog and a large dog approaches, pick you dog up and turn your back. If your dog is large, turn and walk in the opposite direction.
You also don’t know the health status of dogs you come across. An infected dog can pass on a serious disease to your dog.
* Choose a collar and leash (or a harness) that is comfortable for your dog, but that also gives you complete control over the dog. Also make sure that your dog is wearing an id tag, just in case he gets away from you.
If your dog does escape, the id tag will hopefully result in him being returned safely. For an extra level of security you may also want to have your dog micro-chipped.
* Finally, have fun! Walking your dog can be a really fun activity if you approach it in the right way. It's one of the best ways of bonding with your dog, it's an excellent work out for both of you, and your dog will be calmer and more obedient. All of that for just an hour of your time a day.
Find out more about dog training tips, dog care, dog grooming and other interesting dog info at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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