10 Things we should know to make walking with our dogs easier and more enjoyable

Walking your dog has many benefits for both you and your dog. In addition to being necessary for your dog to do his physiological needs, it is also important to reduce boredom levels (and prevent him from destroying something at home), to socialize with other animals and release energy, which allows him to sleep better at night . You will become a more active person, so your physical state is positively impacted.

O awesome.club selected some useful data to make the walk with your pet more pleasant and easier. Remember to confirm with your veterinarian what is best for your dog, as it all depends on the breed and age.

To be able to take the first walk, your puppy must have already received the first vaccines so that its immune system is strengthened against possible diseases. Until he is completely ready to face the world (approximately after 16 weeks), you can carry him in your arms so that he begins to become familiar with different sounds, smells and sights. The puppy develops the socialization skill between 4 and 12 weeks of age and it is good that in that time he knows what he will face in his adult life. This will allow him to learn more about self-control and to interact with other puppies.

In addition to the preference for the model, it is important to take into account aspects that can influence the health of your pet. Specialists have described the differences between the collar and the harness and concluded that the collar can be risky for the dog when he advances sharply, since the neck houses several organs that can be injured. The harness, on the other hand, is more comfortable and makes walking easier. When you have chosen the model, let your pet smell it and become familiar with the new acquisition to prevent it from reacting negatively when using it.

The walk can be one of the most exciting moments for your dog: it’s time to explore and release all the accumulated energy. If you use a leash that is too short, you will probably have to constantly pull on it, and if the dog is on a leash, he may feel that he is suffocating and his experience will be associated with unpleasant stimuli. A long leash, approximately 2 meters, will allow your dog to feel freer and will be more comfortable for both of you.

Tugging on the leash to correct your dog’s behavior will only stress him out and teach him nothing. Your animal needs space to explore and recognize the place. Perhaps there are other reasons why he keeps pulling on the leash: he could be scared or he’s been at home too long and he’s agitated to be in a free space. For this reason, it is preferable to try to understand the reasons why your dog is doing this and use a leash that allows him to move comfortably.

When deciding how long you will walk your pet, it is important to take into account its breed, as there are some that are more active and need more time outside than others. Age is also an important factor: a young dog has much more energy than an adult dog. On average, a daily walk can last between 20 and 30 minutes. Take time to observe how your dog is behaving, how long it gets tired and how much more it can hold.

If you live in places with a tropical climate or with well-defined seasons, during hot days, remember that your pet is closer to the asphalt and, in general, is more sensitive to heat than you are. Dogs don’t sweat and their way of releasing heat is by panting. When temperatures are very high, they can suffer heatstroke, a syndrome in which body temperature rises more than normal and can be fatal for the dog. What experts recommend is to go for walks at cooler times of the day and in places where there is plenty of shade and green area so that he can lie down and cool off if he needs to.

Walking fast to keep your dog from sniffing around can make the walk boring for him. Smell is one of the main ways he recognizes the world. Can you imagine yourself without one of your most used senses? It doesn’t seem fair. Experts recommend that some of your tours be dedicated to olfactory exploration; this will make your dog happy and reflect in better behavior. In addition, it will allow you to understand and know him more and more.

Using rewards is a strategy recommended by experts. Dog treats are a popular option, but you can also identify what other things your pet likes: a favorite toy, a game, or a scent that it likes a lot. If you use them at the right times, it will help speed up the learning process. The reward he likes best should be used in more complex activities.

One of the biggest annoyances at the time of the tour is that they are always pulling you. But this can have a solution: if he pulls the leash because he wants to go ahead, you can restrain him and call him energetically, but cheerfully, to come to your side; and when he does, give him a treat. This operation can be repeated as many times as necessary. When your dog starts walking alongside you, you can reward him every certain number of steps; this will motivate you to continue with the good attitude.

The moment of the walk is a time for both; it strengthens the bond between you. If your attention is focused on the animal and not on other distractions (such as cell phone conversations), you can prevent the dog from eating things it shouldn’t or getting too close to the street, making the experience safer.

Now that you have this information, you will be able to enjoy your time with your pet more and continue to learn from it. Tell us: what do you like most about your walks with your dog?