A dog walk gives them a chance to see new sights, hear new sounds and sniff new sniffs. In other words, they get to experience the outside world and all the novelty and excitement that brings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some owners, the daily walks aren\u2019t anywhere near as thrilling as our dogs find them. I\u2019ve lost count of the number of people I\u2019ve seen trudging around, eyes glued to their phone, totally ignoring their dog, and looking like walking the dog is just another tedious chore they have to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that sounds a bit like you \u2013 or if you have just never thought about it \u2013 it\u2019s time for a reset!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking your dog is important for building your relationship<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWe all know having a dog in your life is a huge joy. And walking your dog is actually a part of your relationship with them, rather than a chore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
More to the point, for your dog, it’s their only relationship. You’re the one who gives them security, love, fun, interaction, guidance\u2026 There’s that great saying that you have your family, your friends, your work colleagues, your social life \u2013 but your dog has only you<\/strong>. And often the best thing you do together all day is going out for that dog walk to explore!<\/p>\n\n\n\nCan you imagine how you’d feel if the only person you love or that’s in your life totally ignored you? Just plodded along without a glance, a word, a kind gesture\u2026? That’s the reality for lot of dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking your dog is really important to build on your relationship, deepen your canine connection and create the bond we all dream of. It’s also the time where a lot of behaviour and training problems can be overcome, prevented or just never arise in the first place!<\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow to give your dog the perfect walk<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nRemember this is your dog\u2019s walk<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nWalking your dog is something you do \u2018with<\/strong>\u2019 them, not \u2018to\u2019 them! So put your phone away and focus on your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHave a purpose to each walk<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThat might just be a walk around the park where you have fun together. It might be a chance to practise some training exercises, have a sniffing walk<\/a>, or a walk where your dog decides where you’re going – be careful if you have a Labrador or you could easily end up in a lake or someone\u2019s kitchen! Whatever it is, have a plan for something you do together<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWatch your dog<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThat sounds simple, but by doing this you can see when they’re happy and enjoying themselves \u2013 and when they might start looking worried or concerned<\/a>. Ask yourself \u201care they happy \u2013 if not, how can I help them feel happier?\u201d This often is to remove them from a situation to a distance they feel secure again. But if you’re not watching, you won\u2019t know. Often dogs become reactive when they’re out and about because they\u2019ve been put in situations where they feel uncomfortable and their owner hasn\u2019t noticed. They get used to having to deal with situations themselves and that becomes their default behaviour! Walks should build trust and focus with your dog, helping prevent behaviour problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEncourage your dog to watch you too<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nTeach a \u2018watch me\u2019<\/a>, take treats<\/a>, have toys with you\u2026 Even if your dog is on-lead: change speed, direction, play, talk in silly voices – do things that keep them focussed on you. If you’re “boring”, your dog might go \u2018self-employed\u2019 and find things, people or other dogs who are more interesting!<\/p>\n\n\n\nReal life training<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nYou can\u2019t just teach recall at home \u2013 and maybe a training class \u2013 and expect it to happen perfectly when you’re out on a dog walk with all those distractions and temptations. Your dog walk is the time to put your training into practice. For recall<\/a>, start slowly with no distractions and on a long line. Only call your dog when you know they’re listening to you. Have lots of well-rewarded successes before you expect more. <\/p>\n\n\n\nLet your dog sniff<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nWhile it’s easy to get frustrated if your dog stops every 30 seconds to sniff, this is how they explore the world. Just because our noses aren’t as good doesn\u2019t mean we should underestimate the importance of scent in our dogs’ worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember to enjoy your dog walks together<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nProbably the most important thing, however, is to enjoy your walks together yourself. Make them fun and interactive for both of you \u2013 and remember the couple who play together, stay together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you imagine how you’d feel if the only person you love or that’s in your life totally ignored you? Just plodded along without a glance, a word, a kind gesture\u2026? That’s the reality for lot of dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking your dog is really important to build on your relationship, deepen your canine connection and create the bond we all dream of. It’s also the time where a lot of behaviour and training problems can be overcome, prevented or just never arise in the first place!<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow to give your dog the perfect walk<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nRemember this is your dog\u2019s walk<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nWalking your dog is something you do \u2018with<\/strong>\u2019 them, not \u2018to\u2019 them! So put your phone away and focus on your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHave a purpose to each walk<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThat might just be a walk around the park where you have fun together. It might be a chance to practise some training exercises, have a sniffing walk<\/a>, or a walk where your dog decides where you’re going – be careful if you have a Labrador or you could easily end up in a lake or someone\u2019s kitchen! Whatever it is, have a plan for something you do together<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWatch your dog<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nThat sounds simple, but by doing this you can see when they’re happy and enjoying themselves \u2013 and when they might start looking worried or concerned<\/a>. Ask yourself \u201care they happy \u2013 if not, how can I help them feel happier?\u201d This often is to remove them from a situation to a distance they feel secure again. But if you’re not watching, you won\u2019t know. Often dogs become reactive when they’re out and about because they\u2019ve been put in situations where they feel uncomfortable and their owner hasn\u2019t noticed. They get used to having to deal with situations themselves and that becomes their default behaviour! Walks should build trust and focus with your dog, helping prevent behaviour problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEncourage your dog to watch you too<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nTeach a \u2018watch me\u2019<\/a>, take treats<\/a>, have toys with you\u2026 Even if your dog is on-lead: change speed, direction, play, talk in silly voices – do things that keep them focussed on you. If you’re “boring”, your dog might go \u2018self-employed\u2019 and find things, people or other dogs who are more interesting!<\/p>\n\n\n\nReal life training<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nYou can\u2019t just teach recall at home \u2013 and maybe a training class \u2013 and expect it to happen perfectly when you’re out on a dog walk with all those distractions and temptations. Your dog walk is the time to put your training into practice. For recall<\/a>, start slowly with no distractions and on a long line. Only call your dog when you know they’re listening to you. Have lots of well-rewarded successes before you expect more. <\/p>\n\n\n\nLet your dog sniff<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\nWhile it’s easy to get frustrated if your dog stops every 30 seconds to sniff, this is how they explore the world. Just because our noses aren’t as good doesn\u2019t mean we should underestimate the importance of scent in our dogs’ worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember to enjoy your dog walks together<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nProbably the most important thing, however, is to enjoy your walks together yourself. Make them fun and interactive for both of you \u2013 and remember the couple who play together, stay together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Walking your dog is something you do \u2018with<\/strong>\u2019 them, not \u2018to\u2019 them! So put your phone away and focus on your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That might just be a walk around the park where you have fun together. It might be a chance to practise some training exercises, have a sniffing walk<\/a>, or a walk where your dog decides where you’re going – be careful if you have a Labrador or you could easily end up in a lake or someone\u2019s kitchen! Whatever it is, have a plan for something you do together<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That sounds simple, but by doing this you can see when they’re happy and enjoying themselves \u2013 and when they might start looking worried or concerned<\/a>. Ask yourself \u201care they happy \u2013 if not, how can I help them feel happier?\u201d This often is to remove them from a situation to a distance they feel secure again. But if you’re not watching, you won\u2019t know. Often dogs become reactive when they’re out and about because they\u2019ve been put in situations where they feel uncomfortable and their owner hasn\u2019t noticed. They get used to having to deal with situations themselves and that becomes their default behaviour! Walks should build trust and focus with your dog, helping prevent behaviour problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teach a \u2018watch me\u2019<\/a>, take treats<\/a>, have toys with you\u2026 Even if your dog is on-lead: change speed, direction, play, talk in silly voices – do things that keep them focussed on you. If you’re “boring”, your dog might go \u2018self-employed\u2019 and find things, people or other dogs who are more interesting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u2019t just teach recall at home \u2013 and maybe a training class \u2013 and expect it to happen perfectly when you’re out on a dog walk with all those distractions and temptations. Your dog walk is the time to put your training into practice. For recall<\/a>, start slowly with no distractions and on a long line. Only call your dog when you know they’re listening to you. Have lots of well-rewarded successes before you expect more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While it’s easy to get frustrated if your dog stops every 30 seconds to sniff, this is how they explore the world. Just because our noses aren’t as good doesn\u2019t mean we should underestimate the importance of scent in our dogs’ worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Probably the most important thing, however, is to enjoy your walks together yourself. Make them fun and interactive for both of you \u2013 and remember the couple who play together, stay together.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHave a purpose to each walk<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Watch your dog<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Encourage your dog to watch you too<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Real life training<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Let your dog sniff<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Remember to enjoy your dog walks together<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n