Hey, unruly dogs of the world! Do you find that every time you take your dog out on the street, they pull at you, run into other people or go for other dogs to play with? In this blog we give you the essential tips to make your walk a happy and peaceful experience for both of you.
1. Is my dog properly equipped?
There are collars and harnesses and within these there are different sizes that have been manufactured to meet the needs of all dogs.
Some dogs are more agitated and others may even go unleashed due to their training. So be careful before letting go.
Care must be taken when choosing equipment for our companion, as some can cause choking, neck injuries, stress or anxiety… and we don’t want that for our best friend!
The best accessory to promote a good walk should take into account his weight, his physical characteristics and his attitude, you can consult our veterinary clinic. It must be comfortable for your dog, tight but not constricting.
2. The distance of the leash
This is a question that always generates doubts, is it better to leave him to his own devices, the closer the more control?
The answer is that you should not keep the lead too short, because that increases the level of stress on both you and your dog, but not too long either, because then he will become more restless and your control will be reduced.
3. Your allies
Bringing along some of your friend’s things like a toy, water or toilet bags can add to the quality of the walk for both of you. And by the way, if they do their business properly, you can reward them with a treat!
And above all… their vaccinations, we know you are responsible and up to date, but just in case we remind you that during the walk, your dog will try to lick various things, even other dogs’ urine, which is part of his instinctive behaviour: it allows him to identify the dogs in the area. If he is properly vaccinated, this will not be a problem.
4. Bring him up in peace and quiet
We know that every time it’s time for a walk and he sees you putting on your shoes, your companion they start to get more and more nervous – this happens to many dogs. Our advice is to only put him on the lead when he is calm, so that he doesn’t get nervous all the way. In this way, he will associate that in order to go out you have to be calm and that this is the only way to go out.
Once you are outside, this attitude should continue, i.e. if he starts to get nervous or pull on the lead, you should interrupt the walk until he calms down again.
Likewise with other stimuli, other dogs or people, if they start to pounce, you will have to teach him that the best thing to do is to be calm. And although this is not going to be easy, it is your task and you must start with yourself so that he understands this, as your dog is sensitive to your emotions and moods.
In this way, they will understand that you are the one who sets the rules and that the control is yours and yours alone. Be patient and you will achieve your goals.
5. A leisurely walk
Rushing when walking your dog is not good for either of you. It is very important that you learn their language, their signals, whether they are calm or nervous, so that you can learn how to act in any situation. Training is for you too.
Follow all of Camelias Vet‘s tips and let us know the results!
