Most of us know that we’re supposed to walk our dogs at least once a day, and yet studies have shown that 20 percent of us don’t even bother. If you want to start walking your dog every day it comes down to getting motivated and making it a habit. Walking isn’t just good exercise for you, it’s also important for your dog.
Here are some tips that will make your walks smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Use a front clip harness if your dog pulls on leash Dog collars and harnesses that clip on the back can promote more pulling. These harnesses actually help train your dog to ignore you and pull you because when you pull on the leash to try to gain some control, it directs the dog’s attention away from you. Getting a front clip harness is the best investment I’ve made when it comes to making walks easier. Keep in mind that the right harness won’t solve everything. You still need to devote time to training your dog to walk nicely Let your dog sniff around for mental stimulation Dog walks are about more than just physical exercise. The time you take to walk with your dog is usually the only time they get to go out and explore each day. Give them a little extra time to sniff around. If you don’t want to stop every five seconds or have your dog sniffing around in your neighbor’s yard that’s fine. You decide which areas are appropriate, and safe, for them to explore. Loosen their leash for a few minutes and give them a chance to take in all those smells. Those smells provide your dog with stimulation and information and it’s their way of keeping track of what’s going on in the neighborhood. You’d be surprised at how exhausting a nice sniffer walk can be for your dog compared to a brisk 15 minute walk around the neighborhood with no sniff breaks. We often focus on just the physical aspect of walking, but keep in mind that the extra mental stimulation your dog gets from sniffing really adds up. read more
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