Walking your dog should be an enjoyable, relaxing and pleasant experience for both of you. All too often this isn’t the case. Fortunately, there are a number of things that can make things better at both ends of the lead; however, it’s sometimes necessary to enlist the help of a reputable trainer or behaviourist, who uses up to date, proven and force free techniques.
Before leaving the house, it’s important to check any equipment you’re using and ensure it’s safe and damage free and that you’re complying with the Control of Dogs Order 1992, which states your dog should have a collar and tag which has your surname, the first line of your address and your postcode on it. We would advise putting your phone number on too, but that’s your choice!
Whether you walk your dog on a collar, harness or head collar, please make sure it fits your dog properly and that they’re comfortable wearing it! We wouldn’t advise using check or half-check collars, prong or e-collars, or any other device that would cause your dog pain or discomfort. Our dogs have the right to be walked pain free and to be taught how to walk politely on their leads rather than being forced to walk next to you because they’re scared of the consequences should they not. The use of aversive methods can cause the animal pain, damage their neck, eyes and trachea and/or cause them to not want to go for walk due to fearing you.
With our increasingly busy lifestyles, it’s far too easy to head out on a ‘walk’ whilst having the dog’s lead in one hand and a mobile in the other – busily replying to messages, returning calls, or catching up on social media – but remember the walk is for both of you! It’s a time to relax and unwind from day to day issues and enjoy being with our faithful friends! If we wander along ignoring them as we’re busy chatting or messaging, how can we expect them to respond in a positive way to our request to return or to wait on another instruction we may give?! Walking your dog is the perfect opportunity to build on your connection, perhaps do some training or just enjoy being out together, away from the hustle and bustle of day to day life.
Teaching a “leave” can be really important for dogs who think it is enjoyable to pick things up from cigarette ends to discarded kebabs – and anything in between! As well as “leave” you may want to have other instructions such as “wait”, “check in” and “come back” when called. If you take your dog somewhere where it’s safe to let them off lead, be sure to have a good recall and be certain your dog will return when asked. It’s lovely to see dogs playing, but it’s not so pleasant to have someone’s over exuberant dog go running up to everyone and being a menace. Everyone has the right to be out without the worry of being jumped on by a socially challenged dog! They may not have a dog themselves and just be out for a stroll, or they may have a dog who is recovering from surgery, is elderly, nervous or injured or just not happy having strange dogs in its space. It’s up to you, as a responsible dog owner, to respect other walkers and be able to recall your dog when necessary. It’s an offence to have a dangerously out of control dog, so it’s more than just doggy etiquette.
Here at Leading the Way Pet Care, we can offer your precious canine companion safe and fun-filled walks on occasions when you’re unable to do it yourself. Please get in touch with our team to learn more about us and see how we can assist you.
If you would like more information on any of the services that Leading the Way Pet Care provides, please contact us via please contact us via email or phone us on 0800 027 9846.