Taking Your Dog for a Walk

Although there are many events happening in January, it’s key to note that this month also marks Walk Your Dog Month! Walking your dog is a nice way to get you both enjoying the great outdoors, as well as enabling you to stay active. An international event, Walk Your Dog Month aims to raise awareness on the health benefits of walking your dog and the issue of pet obesity.

According to experts, pet obesity can result in conditions such as arthritis, kidney disease, high blood pressure and even cancer. It is known that pets with obesity can have a difficult way of life and a short life expectancy. So, if you want your dog to avoid this in the future, make sure you get your best hiking shoes on and take them for a walk! Read on for the tips that will help ensure that your dog enjoys its walkies!

Let your dog explore and sniff around

We all know that dogs have a greater sense of smell when compared to us humans, so it’s important that you’re allowing them to stop and smell the roses. This will make the walk enjoyable for your canine friend since they’ll be able to explore their surroundings. If you stop your dog from doing this, you’re not letting them experience anything new and can lessen their mental stimulation.

Try to avoid pulling on the leash

Whenever dogs find a scent trail they want to follow, it’s easy for them to get carried away and walk as fast as they want. This will usually result in them pulling you along with our instinct telling us to pull back. However, the desired result is the opposite: they carry on walking. The reason why this happens is due to their opposition reflex. To avoid this, consider teaching your dog to walk with a loose leash, which will lessen the pressure on their throat and stop their opposition reflex from being triggered.

Don’t rush their bathroom breaks

Another tip to take note of is not rushing your dog whenever he or she is doing their business. This is because territory is important to dogs, as well as most animals, and they usually spend time exploring and smelling for other dogs’ urine. When they eventually do have to go to the bathroom, they’re marking their territory and leaving a message to other dogs.

Don’t forget to clean after them

Not only is it common courtesy to clean after your dog once they’ve done a number two, it also helps other pets to avoid developing health problems. Pet waste usually contains organisms that are harmful to other animals and humans such as E. coli, roundworms and salmonella. These harmful organisms can last for a long time and can even make it into the soil, as well as our water supply. So, make sure you’re always picking up after your dog!

Dress them up in reflective gear at night

For yours and your dog’s safety, it’s important that you’re both wearing reflective gear at night or during dark, winter days. This will help other people, especially drivers, see you and your dog, which will also help you avoid disastrous situations.

These are a few of the dog walking tips to take note of, which hopefully makes your dog’s walking experience better. For any advice, help or enquiries, don’t hesitate to contact our pet services from our directory here. Alternatively, you can also have a chat with our veterinary experts.

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