It is no secret that walking your dog daily benefits both you and your dog’s physical and mental health. 57% of dog owners admitted to having skipped at least one walk per week for some reason. But did you know 31% of those said their reasoning related to the behavior of their dog while on a leash? If your daily walks are turning into a tug of war between you and your dog, these tips may come in handy.
Doing things like changing pace, direction, and route will mentally engage your dog and keep him or her reacting to what you do next.
Do you ever feel like it’s your dog walking you? When beginning your walks, you want to establish ownership initially. Keep your dog close by you. This will not only show dominance and control, but will keep your pet safe throughout your walk.
Utilize this time effectively by using “sit, wait, stay, and leave it” commands while on a walk. Not only is it good practice for home behavior, but it creates engagement between you and your dog. It also provides reasoning for praise (aka treats!)
For example, every third house you pass, incorporate a Sit command. The next day, change it to a different command. It keeps the experience fresh and different. If they are obeying and being good on the leash, reward them with time to sniff around.
Dog walking takes discipline. By filling walks with fun challenges, you’ll find that you can get more exercise in shorter distances and less time. There’s nothing better than a tired, happy, healthy dog!
Since 1973, Invisible Fence® Brand’s innovative solutions, industry-leading training and expertise have given more than 3 million pets newfound independence and security - while also instilling confidence in their owners.
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