Things To Avoid When Walking Your Dog

Walking a dog is not simply a walk in the park, both literally and figuratively. For many dog owners unaware of the proper behaviours to have when walking their canine friends, dog-walking can be a stressful experience for them and their dogs.

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of your dog while on a walk, make sure you’re not doing these 5 things!

1. Preventing Your Dog From Sniffing Around

ust as you make sense of the world around with your five senses, particularly your sense of sight, your furry friend makes sense of its own world primarily with its sense of smell!

If your dog is a healthy dog that is not anxious, its sniffing around is perfectly normal. Sniffing around helps your dog relax and also find out more about its environment, such as whether other dogs have been or are around the area. If you are concerned about the hygiene and health of your dog, be sure to properly vaccinate it and you would not have to worry about your dog sniffing urine or poop and falling sick.

2. Tug-Of-War

You might be guilty of this when you walk your dog. When your dog pulls on the leash, you might react and tug on the leash to exert pressure on the collar of the dogs.

Consequently, your dog might suffer from throat difficulties and from stress when you attempt to start a tug-of-war with it. You may buy a non-pull harness to pre-empt your pulling on the leash should your dog have the tendency to do so.

3. Hitting or Yelling

If you see your dog acting aggressively when meeting another dog, do not panic, or even worse, hit it or yell at it. Hitting or yelling will only make things worse and stress your dog out even more.

Instead, the best way to deal with your dog’s unfriendly behaviour is to train it firmly and gently. Treat your furry animal just like how you might train a little child in good manners!

4. Banning Interaction With Fellow Dogs

You must encourage your dog to interact with fellow dogs as part of its normal development, rather than lock it up in an enclosed area to be left alone. Just as loneliness is not ideal for human beings, loneliness also is unpleasant for your dog. Ensure your dog remains sociable by letting it interact with other dogs.

5. Excessive Or Too Little Walking

As a general rule of thumb, things must be done in moderation, including walking dogs. If you were to walk your dog for hours at a stretch, you will exhaust and stress your poor dog out rather than enabling it to relax.

On the other hand, too little walking would frustrate your active pet and affect its overall happiness and health. Remember, each dog is unique, just as every human being is unique – therefore tailor your walking schedule and duration according to the temperament of your furry friend!

As a dog owner, you are responsible for your dog’s health and well-being. Pay attention to these tips when walking your dog the next time and look forward to a fun and meaningful time with your dog on the street!