Greats Tips and Suggestions for Walking Your Dog

It's Spring again, and it's one of my favorite times of year to walk my dog. I guess I should also admit it is one of the few seasons when I walk my dog, as winters are not exactly dog-walking friendly around me, and some summer days are too darn hot, unless we go out later in the evening. In any case, every Spring, I vow to walk Bailey more so that his energy is used in a healthy way. He uses our hallways as raceways too much in Winter - he doesn't need to practice that when it's nice out!

Walking your dog can be a fun, relaxing time, or it can be a bit of a struggle, depending on how your dog acts on a leash and how you handle your dog on a leash. Most dogs have a tendency to want to walk ahead of their people. When you are walking on a bike path, where you have to share a small  space, this could be a good thing. However, some dogs take walking in front as a signal that they are the pack leaders. This can be a problem whether you are walking one dog or a group of dogs. A dog acting like an alpha on a walk can cause problems for other dogs you might find during your walk, as well as cause a potential danger to people who pass you along your trek. I know my pup has an alternate personality if I let him go in front of me on our walks. He turns from a playful, fun-loving pup to a dog who has a stiff-legged power strut. When I keep him next to me, even if we have to start and stop a few times for him to calm down, he enjoys his walks much more than when he feels he has to be on alert the whole time.

In addition to your walking technique, there are a few dog supplies you should have on hand whenever you go out with your pup for a walk.

• Leash - It's important to find a leash that is comfortable in your hand, as well as the proper length for walking your dog. Depending on your walking style, you can find leashes in many different lengths, including flexi-leashes that allow you to adjust the length of line your dog has to walk with the click of a button. Please note, leads that are 10 feet long or longer are typically used for training and are not advisable for taking your dog on a walk. If you have two dogs, you can even get a nylon coupler that will turn your regular leash into something that can walk two dogs at once, or you can get a tangle-free 2-dog leash that has the handle, as well as the 2 leads, built all together.
• Walking Harness - While not required, a walking harness makes walking your dog a much easier task. If your dog has a tendency to pull when you hook his leash to his collar, a walking harness will help stop this behavior. Dogs tend to pull hard when they feel pressure around their necks. If your dog starts pulling a little, or you pull on his leash / collar to get him to go in a different direction, he might pull even harder against the leash. This can cause some damage to your dog's trachea, which is not a good thing. Rather than having these problems occur, you can find harnesses that strap around your dog's chest or head. Chest harnesses prevent your dog from moving forward by putting pressure on his chest. Head harnesses move your dog's head in the direction you want him to go, so there is no pressure or pulling against the leash. Sometimes, your dog will have a preference over which harness works better for him. My Husky mix, Spice, was very much against a head harness. She did some sort of somersault maneuver and got out of the head harness when we first tried to use one with her. She walks much better in a body harness.
• Dog ID - Make sure you use your dog's collar and ID tags when you are out on a walk. Some people prefer to leave their dogs' collars (and, subsequently, tags) off when they are at home, but these items are important to wear when out on a walk. Some places you go may require your dog to wear his collar, as it is a way to see his rabies vaccination status. In addition to tags, it is a good idea to have your dog micro-chipped. In the instance that your pup runs away, his collar could comes off, and  his micro-chip will help identify him.
• Water - Whether you plan on walking awhile or you are going out on a hot day, you should carry water for both you and your pooch. There are great little gadgets that can make giving your dog water on the go pretty easy. You can find dog canteens, travel bowls, or plastic pieces that attach to a regular water bottle. Your dog will need to drink water on your walks just as much as you need to, especially if you are going for a long trek or staying out in the heat.
• Doggie Doo Bags - Whether you buy poop bags (which are conveniently wrapped and rolled tightly in a little spool) or use baggies or plastic grocery bags, you should always carry something with you to pick up poop in case the occasion arises. I always try to get Bailey to go outside before we take a walk, just to avoid any poop situations. However, that trick doesn't always work. Rather than being one of "those people" who litter the neighborhood with doggie poo, I carry bags and make sure to pick up after my dog. Something to note: if you are walking in a city, there might be laws requiring you to pick up your dog's poop.

Hopefully, these tips and suggestions will help both you and your pup have a safe and healthy walking experience. Please feel free to share any tips you found that have worked!