Dog walking is not merely a routine you do every day, it is rather the key component of your dog’s cyclical and psychological health. But there are numerous mistakes that most dog parents do unconsciously during their walks, and which may influence the behavior of a dog, their health, and happiness in general. Whether it is irregular exercise or to wrong leash, such small errors can cause bigger problems over time.
Throughout this guide, we will discuss the most frequent dog walking errors and ways to eliminate them with the use of practical tips to make the process of walking your dog more efficient. Whether you have never had a dog before or you are an experienced pet parent, these are the mistakes you should avoid in order to have more successful, safe, and beneficial walks with your pet.
Mistake 1: Disregarding Consistency
An unpredictable walking schedule can throw off a dog’s internal clock, so to speak, and cause anxiety, restlessness, and undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking or chewing.” Consistency is what gives dogs their emotional security and stability and helps to maintain good canine habits. That lack of a routine could cause problems for them with energy levels, bathroom schedules, and overall mental wellness, which will make your life even more stressful for both of you.
The Right Approach: Establishing and adhering to a consistent dog walking schedule provides your dog with a sense of routine and stability. Aim for walks around the same time each day to set clear expectations and help manage their energy levels and biological clock.
Mistake 2: Letting your Dog Take The Lead
If you let your dog lead the way, they may believe they’re the alpha and become a bit confused on your property lines. And when your dog feels like they are in control, it can lead to a disobedient dog, leash pulling, and lack of discipline. This imbalance frequently leaks into other facets of your relationship and will make training and just daily interactions a lot more difficult.
The Right Approach: We need to question ourselves on whether you walking your dog or is your dog walking you? Letting your dog lead can make them think they’re in charge. This dynamic could pervade other parts of your relationship.
Mistake 3: Taking Too Short A Walk
Short, inadequate walks can also still leave your dog under-stimulated in both body and mind. If they don’t get sufficient exercise, dogs can have behavior and emotional issues, such as chewing, barking or hyperactivity. Each breed, and even each age range, has its own energy needs and, not meeting them can have consequences to a pet’s health, mood, and general well-being.
The Right Approach: Based on the breed & age, the duration of the walk is important. Check out this guide to find out the duration of walks & playtime required for different dog breeds. Identify the right amount of exercise will help them maintain optimal health, prevent destructive behavior at home and provide them with the required mental stimulation.
Mistake 4: Take the Same Route Everyday
Your dog doesn’t want to take the same walk day in and day out. Recurring routes limit mental stimulation and new sniffs, sounds and scenes, all crucial for active engagement of the mind. A dearth of diversity may also lead to problems with behavior, as the dogs’ minds can become under-stimulated and bored.
The Right Approach: The whole point of a walk is not just about pooping and peeing but about the mental stimulation & exercise. Taking a different route each day gives your dog a chance to explore more scents, sights & sounds. This helps them experience various points of stimulation which makes it fun and exciting.
Mistake 5: Sidestepping Focus and Engagement
Being on your phone during walks can erode the bond between you and your dog. It may cause missed cues, dangers and impaired response. Dogs look to you for direction and protection and if you ignore them when you’re walking, they may feel ignored or insecure.
The Right Approach: Engage with your dog during walks instead of being absorbed in your mobile phone or being distracted. Your attention towards your dog enhances the bond between you two and enables you to respond promptly to any unforeseen circumstances.
Mistake 6: Choosing the Incorrect Leash and Collar
With the wrong collar or leash, it can be uncomfortable for both your dog and you, not to mention dangerous. A mismatched arrangement can spoil the most refined training, enabling your dog to pull too much, escape, or be too confined. Each dog, no matter size, strength, or temperament, needs the right gear for a customized and safe, comfortable, and controlled walk.
The Right Approach: Select a leash and collar that suit your dog’s size and temperament. For instance, retractable leashes may give too much freedom to larger, more exuberant dogs, whereas a simple fixed-length leash might provide better control. Check out this guide which will help you choose the right type of leash and collar based on various parameters.
Mistake 7: Permitting Pulling Behavior
Allowing your dog to pull on his leash while walking not only encourages negative behaviors, but it can be frustrating and unsafe for the both of you. When dogs pull, there’s an increased risk of injury for both you and your dog, and your dog lacks leash manners. And they are tough habits to break unless you work him through it with some training help and reinforcement
The Right Approach: Encourage a pleasant walking experience by training your dog to walk politely on a leash without pulling. Utilize positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to reward calm and controlled walking.
Mistake 8: Ignoring Weather Conditions
Dogs can be harmed by extreme heat or cold on a walk. Hot pavement can burn paws, and cold winds can be uncomfortable and contribute to health problems. Tempting fate with poor weather leads to harm in the form of injury, overheating, or illness. Dogs require a few layers of protection and timing adjustments to make sure they stay safe and healthy in different climates.
The Right Approach: Be mindful of the weather and adjust your dog’s walking routine accordingly. In extremely hot or cold weather, ensure your dog is protected with appropriate gear, such as booties or a cooling vest. Ensure you wake up early if the conditions are hot and walk them late if the conditions are cold which helps them get the required exercise they need.
Mistake 9: Neglecting Basic Training
Often, dog owners forget to train basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” or “leave it” before they pick up their dogs and go outside. Without these basic skills, dogs are unruly and they are a recipe for disaster walking down the street. Basic obedience with street safety not only enhances safety but furthers the bond between you and your best friend and makes walking less anxious and more pleasant.
The Right Approach: Before venturing outdoors, ensure your dog is well-versed with basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it.” Training your dog provides not only control but also ensures their safety and the safety of others during walks.
Mistake 10: Allowing Unrestrained Sniffing and Marking
Allowing your dog to smell is a completely natural and important way to explore, but if you let them smell or mark every tree you pass, it will prolong your walk and create distractions during that time. And without boundaries or commands like “leave it,” your dog might be doing too much stopping, which can be equally frustrating for you and your dog. Teaching your dog to stop sniffing helps preserve the pace of your walk, and keeps focus on you so walks are more productive and pleasant.
The Right Approach: While it’s crucial to allow your dog time to explore and sniff around (it’s their way of ‘reading’ the environment), establishing boundaries is equally important. Implement a signal or command, like “leave it,” to let them know when it’s time to move on.
Mistake 11: Overlooking Health and Fitness Levels
Each dog has its own exercise requirements, which depend on their age, breed and health. But overexerting your dog and overstimulating your dog is not sensible, and could lead to exhaustion, injury or even exacerbation of existing health issues. For instance, older dogs or those with difficulty breathing will need shorter, more leisurely walks, while high-energy breeds need the kind of exercise that requires a little more intensity and duration. Adjusting the length and duration of walks to your dog’s needs, helps in keeping your dog fit, healthy, and happy.
The Right Approach: Tailor the length and intensity of walks according to your dog’s age, breed, and health. For instance, older dogs or breeds with respiratory challenges may require shorter, more leisurely strolls, while active breeds might demand more vigorous exercise.
Mistake 12: Overlooking Socialization
The key to a well-behaved dog is a well-socialized dog. If you haven’t properly socialized your dog to many different people, animals and the world at large when he was young, he may wind up being fearful, anxious, or aggressive out on the leash. A well-mannered dog is happier, more relaxed, and more adaptable to your daily life, making taking the dog for a walk a much more pleasant and enriching experience for both of you. Slow exposure and positive experiences can help your dog to adjust to new experiences more easily.
The Right Approach: Exposing your dog to various environments, people, and other pets from a young age is pivotal. A well-socialized dog is usually more relaxed and less reactive to new experiences and beings they encounter on walks.
Mistake 13: Neglecting Cleanup
Failing to pick up after your dog is not only unsanitary; It’s also rude to your community and environment. Dog waste left on sidewalks or parks can spread disease and make open spaces unpleasant. If you’re walking a dog, part of being a responsible pet owner is to carry bags and pick up promptly. This one simple action encourages cleanliness and kindness from one neighbor to another dog owner.
The Right Approach: Always be prepared with poop bags and ensure you clean up after your dog. It’s a basic etiquette that maintains cleanliness and shows respect for your community and the environment.
Mistake 14: Going Out Without Identification
And simply having your dog microchipped is not enough. Without physical identification, such as a collar tag with your information on it, tracking down your lost dog is considerably more difficult. If your dog gets lost, it’s easy for someone to read the contact information, and dog walk accidents can happen, too. Be sure to double check your dog’s collar and tags whenever you’re ready to leave the house.
The Right Approach: Although they have a microchip on them, it’s always a good idea to have an identification such as a pet tag on your pup, too. For some odd reason, if they wander off, it’s easy for people to contact you, thus, making it easier for your locate your pet.
Final Thoughts
Every walk is an adventure and a bonding opportunity with our canine companions. By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing the suggested approaches, dog parents can ensure that each outing is a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience for all involved. In embracing these principles, we foster a harmonious community, considerate neighborly relations, and most importantly, we substantiate our commitment to the wellbeing and happiness of our beloved pets.
For dog parents who are frequent travelers, who like to sleep in a bit, attend social events frequently which run late into the night etc., can choose to opt for dog walking services offered by reputed Pet Sitting Companies. Professional walkers ensure that your furry one never misses their much awaited walks of the day. It’s a win-win for your dog and you as you get to keep your schedule flexible while their routine is never comprised.
