Nothing beats getting out and walking with your favourite fuzzy friend. Whether you have a pooch of your own or you borrow one, there are a few things you should take into account before you head out for your walkies. Take a look below to learn more.
Timing Is the Key
Going for a walk with your pup is essential for their health and well-being. Dog walking is more than physical exercise. If your dog doesn’t get a good walk regularly, they can suffer emotionally and you may see them expressing this by acting out at home.
Depending on the breed you may have to plan at least 45 - 60 minutes for your walk. The more active the dog the longer the walk needs to be, so you will need to adjust timing accordingly.
Even if you know you can walk your dog in just 15 minutes, you should plan for more time because your dog might not just want to walk and return home. When you allow them to sniff around, they might want to go chase squirrels, play fetch, or just stay there for a while. All in all, you should plan for some more time for your dog every day and if need a helping hand you can always take a look at BorrowMyDoggy.
Collect Your Poop Yourself
A dog’s poop contains harmful microorganisms like salmonella, E-Coli, giardia, hookworms and many more. These harmful germs and bacteria make their way to underground water and other hosts (you and your dogs) in parks and other places where people gather if not picked up. Always keep a bag and a scoop to collect it.
Tasty Treats As Rewards
Reward your canine pal with dog treats on your walk. Your dog will be following your lead and when you give him some relaxed time to sniff around a bit and explore, you can reward them for their good behaviour and discipline. Treats are important when you are training your dog to walk and it helps to reinforce good behaviour.
Hydration
nasties not safe for your pup.
Check the pavement
When the temperature rises it can get quite hot for your dogs to walk on the surfaces. The heat can easily burn their paws.
A simple way to check is to touch the pavement with your palm or bare feet for at least five seconds and if it’s quite uncomfortable, it’s a no to go on a walk. Instead, choose a time when the sun is not too hot.
By taking these tips into account we’re sure you’ll have a pawsome dog walk! Many thanks to Clara, co-founder at petlovesbest.com for contributing to this post.
This article is for information only, and should never replace any advice, diagnosis or treatment from your veterinary surgeon or canine behaviourist. Always contact your local vet or out of hours vet without delay if you have any concerns about your dog or their behaviour.
If you're looking for some dog care support from a local, trusted dog lover or want to spend time with a pawsome local dog check out BorrowMyDoggy.
