Nothing beats getting out and walking with your favorite furry friend, it is a wonderful way to bond and spend that quality time together. Whether you have a dog of your own or you are pet-sitting one, there are few things you should take into account before you head out for your walkies. Keep reading to learn more.
Stay calm and positive
Did you know your actions and mood can influence your furry friend? We recommend leaving home in a calm (as much as possible) and relaxing manner. Too much excitement or over arousal may not be good for many dogs and make them anxious. So, the tip here is try getting all the excitement out of the way before you step out. There are several ways you can do this and it is widely suggested to play or let them chew on their favorite treat before you head out. You may keep their harness on or leash on as it may not be obvious to you, but it is often the equipment that sets your dog off. The calmer the dog, the better the walk will be. After all, dogs learn through associations.
Timing is the key
Going for a walk with your pup is not only for potty breaks but it is essential for their health and well-being. Dog walking is more than physical exercise, it is also a mental exercise. Allowing them to sniff and explore their environment is the best reward you can give your dog. Set a aside at least 20mins to 60mins per walk.
And do not forget, that some dogs may be nervous or anxious being in an urban area, loud noises or reactive, if this is the case, try taking them to a quieter spot so they can enjoy their walks.
Collect your poop yourself
A dog’s poop contains harmful microorganisms like salmonella, E-Coli, giardia, worms and many more. These harmful germs and bacteria make their way to underground water and other hosts (you and your dogs) in parks and other places where people gather if not picked up. Always keep a bag to collect it.
Tasty treats as rewards
Reward your dog with treats on your walk. The more you reinforce good behavior such as looking or engaging with you, walking by your side, being calm etc. the better the behavior will be. Treats are important when you are training your dog to walk, and it helps to reinforce good behavior. Treats can be really valuable for training reactive dogs.
Hydration
You should always keep water for you and your dog while going on a walk. You can tell when you need water, but it can be quite hard to say for a dog. Always keep fresh water with you and offer them a drink, particularly on a hot day or on a very long walk. In addition, you should not let your dog drink from puddles or other sources as they can contain bacteria not safe for your pup.
Check the pavement
Who doesn’t love the winter months in the UAE, you can go out with your dogs as often as you want but when the temperature rises it can get quite hot for your dogs to walk. The heat can easily burn their paws.
A simple way to check is to touch the pavement with your palm or bare feet for at least five seconds and if it’s quite uncomfortable, it’s a no to go on a walk. Instead, choose a time when the sun is not too hot.
By taking these tips into consideration, we’re sure you’ll have an awesome dog walk! Don’t forget to enjoy the little things and let dogs be dogs.
And if you need help we are just a button away.
