Dog walking is a very good leisure program for you and your pet. In addition to spending time together, it is also very important for dogs to get enough exercise in order to maintain their health. There are written and unwritten rules that should be followed in order for dog walking to be effective in all aspects and for both of you to enjoy the walks. In this article, I share useful tips, exercises and information. If you follow these, your dog will definitely not refuse a walk when you signal to him that it’s time to go outside!
Feed dog before or after walk?
This question arises many times. Can I walk my dog 30 minutes after eating? Well, it is not lucky to take the dog for a walk right after eating. Just like us humans, dogs also need to rest after eating. After eating, do not bring out the dog walking bag and do not indicate that you are going for a walk or are planning an active activity. Give him time to rest, he may need up to 2-4 hours, depending on what kind of food and how much he was fed. In such cases, it is not recommended for dogs to run, chase with other dogs or play fetch games with them.
In the case of larger dogs, it is recommended to pay even more attention to this, because it can lead to health problems!
If you find that he is very active after eating, runs around a lot, and then suddenly gets tired, then review his diet. Look at the ingredients of the dog food! If it contains a lot or fast-absorbing carbohydrates and sugar, then there is a root cause. Try other, healthier dog food!
In summary, wait at least 2 hours after a normal meal and then you can go for a walk or play outside!
How to put on a dog harness – easy walk?
There are 2 rules that must be observed when adjusting the dog harness. The first is that the dog harness will be easy to put on if you bought the right size. If the size is not right, it will not be comfortable and safe for the dog. To choose the size, measure the circumference of the dog’s chest with a tape measure. Choose between harnesses and choose a harness that can be adjusted in several places and has an opening of the right size. This is important, because it determines how easily the dog will be able to hide in it.
When putting on the dog harness, make sure that there is a distance of 4 fingers between the front legs and the strap under the belly. If you can slide your fingers under the strap on the back after recording, then you have set the volume correctly.
While walking the dog
All dogs benefit from taking them to dog obedience training, where they learn safe recall. Until you can do this confidently, never let the dog out outside a closed area! A few tasty, healthy reward snacks can help you learn to walk and coordinate your pace. If you are walking in a forest or wilderness, for the sake of safety, time your outing from sunrise to sunset!
Getting to know other dogs
Before you allow your pet to meet other dogs, always ask the other owner if they don’t mind getting to know each other? Your dog may be nice and friendly, but you don’t know if the other one is as well. It may happen that the other dog is aggressive or fearful, but it may even be sick or undergoing rehabilitation.
If you get the green light from the other owner, it is also important to make sure that both dogs are free or on a loose leash when getting to know each other. A tight leash radiates tension, which can cause problems.
When should you walk the dog?
Dogs also need daily exercise, just like us humans, to feel good both physically and mentally. Walking also relieves anxiety and depression, so it is important that the dog is thoroughly exercised every day and can explore the surroundings calmly, sniffing. So, during walks, provide him with both: he can run around and sniff. If possible, the time of the daily walk should be fixed. This consistency works well for dogs. Make it happen at the same time every day when you go for a long walk. The fixed schedule gives the dogs a sense of security and they will be calmer during the day.
The diagnosis of sáta depends on the dog’s age, breed and state of health. A puppy usually needs to be taken out every 2-4 hours. Of course, in this case, a 10-15 minute walk can be enough to make it easier on yourself. In the case of adult dogs, health walks can be made less frequent, but at least twice ensuring sufficient movement in addition to shorter walks. And once a day, there should be a common, easy dog training and game in the program.
Dod stops walking and won’t move …
When the dog keeps stopping on walks, it can take away the joy of the walk, but don’t be angry about it. Rather, observe where you stand or sit. Did something happen that you might not have noticed and that might have scared you? Lightning, rumble, maybe a bigger dog or an unusual object or smell? If the dog stops walking and won’t move, then the most common reason is that it is scared of something. In such cases, it also happens that the dog wants to go home during walk. For my dog this happens when a storm is approaching. Their hearing is much better, I can’t hear anything yet, but he starts to get scared and sits down in the middle of the road or starts pulling towards home.
But what can we do when dog keeps stopping on walks? Well, there are several ways to do this. Smaller dogs, if you take them on your lap and put them down a few steps later, they usually continue the walk on their own. In case of fear, it usually helps with larger dogs if we signal to them that we are changing pace, call them to run home with us. Even if we don’t run them all the way home, we can start them again this way. If there is a health problem in the background, it can usually be seen clearly. The dog stops walking, suffocates, is sick and won’t move, then take it to the vet. However, stalking can also occur at home before a walk: refuse to walk. In such cases, there may also be an obedience problem in the background, which you can overcome with dog training. Go to a dog school and after a few sessions it won’t be a problem anymore.
Why does my dog walk behind me?
There can be several reasons. During the walk, the dog should walk next to you or behind you, then you are its owner, the pack leader. If you let him walk, he’s in control. If a dog wants to be around you from time to time, hides, it is usually afraid or scared of something and seeks protection behind you. If, on the other hand, he often or usually walks behind you, it could also be because he wants to experience and smell more things during the walk. In such cases, adjust the pace and give him time to explore the area.
How to tire a dog out without walking?
Dogs love to walk and almost any moving activity is good for them. However, sometimes it’s good to go to the beach instead of walking. Dogs would love to be at the beach, where they can run or even swim to their heart’s content. But you can also take him to a nearby dog park, where he can play with other dogs while you chat with the other owners. Variety is good for everyone! Maybe instead of a walk, you can ask for a dog massage and dog fitness for your dog. Trust me, he’ll be very grateful for it, and I’ll give him a good shake!
Call with confidence in the Saint Augustine area and book an appointment: (904) 377 6291
Don’t be upset if you have trouble walking at first! Practice every day and you’ll both soon get the hang of it!