Walking Dogs: Why It Makes a Difference

Providing exercise and mental stimulation for our pets is necessary and nothing does so better than a good walk. Most of our dog breeds have characteristics designed for a specific purpose that would keep them engaged (i.e. sporting dogs, working dogs, herding dogs). However, adult household dogs without the opportunity to pursue that purpose generally do not exercise themselves and, if they have access to a backyard, it usually provides the same scents and sights day after day.

STARTING OFF RIGHT

The time for the "taking a walk" discussion begins with a new puppy. Before taking a puppy for its first walk, it needs to be vaccinated against communicable diseases. Once adequately protected, you can begin to take the puppy outside the home to other places (i.e. walks and puppy classes).

Make sure that the puppy is microchipped and wearing a collar for identification and that you are using an age appropriate control device, such as a head halter, no-pull harness, or flat collar and leash. Avoid choke collars, pinch collars, and extendible leashes.

Initial walks that teach the puppy to accept the leash should be short so that neither you nor the puppy becomes frustrated or tired. This can vary from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the puppy. Walks can help with early socialization, learning basic control tasks, and allowing exploration and exercise.

FULFILLING EACH DOG'S NEEDS

Most importantly, a dog needs to eliminate and have access to the appropriate place to eliminate.

In addition, a dog often enjoys the chance to sniff and investigate the environment:

• Some dogs are able to sniff and keep walking; others may want to spend more time investigating and perhaps marking the interesting smells they encounter with urine.
• One study noted that off-leash dogs sniff for longer periods when compared with dogs walking on a leash. Naturally, the significance is not clear, but perhaps it has to do with the ability to sniff uninterrupted.
• Giving the dog an opportunity for sniffing and marking during each walk is a good idea. This can be under your control using commands such as "free dog" when sniffing is allowed and a "heel" command for walking without stopping.

Exercise needs vary from dog to dog and breed to breed:

• The goal of the walk should not necessarily be to create an athlete, but to give sufficient time for exercise and sniffing. A large-breed dog may enjoy running while smaller dogs may be content with slower walks, but exceptions abound. Therefore, walks should be tailored to individual needs.
• If a safe, controlled, open space (i.e. fenced yard) is available, games, such as fetch, may be possible and offer great aerobic exercise.
• When planning exercise, accommodations are necessary for age, physical ability, and breed. In dogs prone to lameness, overheating, and cardiac problems, avoid any situation that may exacerbate these issues.

KEEPING HUMANS HAPPY

Being pulled down the street by a dog is undesirable and may discourage you from walking your dog. The walk should be on a loose leash with no pressure on either your hand or arm or the dog's neck or chest.

There are several components that facilitate achieving this goal:

• Various products on the market can help improve dog walking. These include head halters, body harnesses, and different types of collars and leashes.
• Training classes are often useful in teaching pets to walk comfortably on leashes, especially if they focus on positive training, the use of appropriate control devices, and loose leash walking without a strict "heel."
• One easy technique is to stop when the leash is taut and wait until the dog comes back to them a bit and then resume walking. Many dogs will then learn "a loose leash means go forward, taut leash means we stop."
• You may have to forego their regular walks while in training process and spend the time training rather than convering a distance, but the reward of a well-trained dog will be worth the effort.
• Leash walking also helps with controlling the dog, regulates interactions between the pet and people or other dogs, and may help diminish disease transmission on walks.

When walking for elimination, most owners like it to occur promptly and quickly so that the length of the walk can be determined by the time available; not merely waiting for the dog to eliminate.

• Teaching the pet to eliminate on a verbal command will accomplish this goal. You can ask for elimination and not begin the walk until it is accomplished. Once the animal eliminates, the walk can commence.
• This also makes it easier for you to clean up after the pet and control where elimination takes place.
• Another added benefit is that if time is short the dog will eliminate promptly, which avoids owner frustration and potentially allows time for a short walk.

OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS

Despite their best efforts, many owners find walking their dog time-consuming or unpleasant. Common complaints include pulling, barking or lunging at other dogs or people, lacking control of the pet, and no time. As mentioned earlier, the appropriate tools can help.

• Set-length leashes offer more control than extending leashes. Head halters and no-pull harnesses can diminish pulling and allow walks to be more controlled.
• Rather than opting for only long walks, adding short sniff walks of 10 to 20 minutes 1 to 3 times a week can make a difference.
• For extreme problems, a good positive reinforcement trainer or a veterinary behaviorist may be necessary and may help in selecting appropriate control products.