Walking walking…

Walking is one of the most exciting things in many dogs’ lives. So it’s understandable to expect a little excitement when they see you take the lead, and it usually puts you in a good mood to provide your dog the best part of their day. But a walk is actually much more than a stroll along the way, and staying in control of the entire process is a very important part of managing your dogs’ overall behavior. It may seem a little exaggerated to be so serious about such a fun activity for both the dog and the owner, but, as always, a few simple things can make a huge difference to a dog’s level of obedience.

You are in charge

Or at least it should be. How you walk your dog is really up to you. The reward for getting off the leash should come after some structure. So don’t let your dog decide when to walk because you need to stay in control of the dogs mind from the start. Put on your dog’s collar and walking boots, relax for a few minutes until he calms down, then put on a leash making sure your dog’s agitation is practically gone, before heading out.

Be the capricorn master in the cold

Do your best not to tease your dog with promises of “treadmills, treadmills” (yes, I know it’s the highlight of your day!). Beginning to walk in a calm manner will once again lead to a more enjoyable experience in the long run. Many of us have our dogs running the show from the word go, dragging us out, and zipping off the driveway. At this point, your friend on the other end of the chain has made all the decisions, not paying attention to you the whole time. Dogs are very logical and very smart at understanding who decides what happens and when. So if they bring up the lead and push you out the door, they are the ones in charge. Don’t be fooled. But if you pick the right time to get outside, and only take the initiative when he’s comfortable and cool, they’ll soon find out that’s how you’ll actually start walking.

Good dog!

Sure, there is time to let them run free like crazy and that’s a bonus. But that’s only when you say, not when they pull and drag until you give in. And if you choose to walk your dog in a long line, don’t just allow them to go where they want throughout the walk. Again, you’re in control and you’ll walk for a certain amount of time and then you let them have a loose leash to stop and smell, or you can take them to a lamppost.

Who makes the decisions?

you are doing! This does not mean that it is about your dog understanding that they should listen to your commands which will give them more freedom in the long run because you will trust them to listen and do what you have to say.

Make sure it ends well

Finishing the rally is also an important part of the process. It should always end calmly and positively. Walking isn’t always an immediate solution – with some dogs, you have to get rid of them but over time. But if you walk the dog calmly from the start they will simply understand that this is how it should be and will stop dragging you around the block.

Remember that walking is often won and lost before you even hit the street! .

Enjoy hiking