10 Dog Walking Tips You Must Know

It’s common knowledge to all dog-owners that we must walk our dogs at least once per day. It’s crucial that your dog gets at least 30 minutes of physical exercise per day to remain in healthy shape.

While most dog-owners are responsible, there are some of us that need that extra motivation!

Remember, walking your dog doesn’t have to be a chore. Instead, you should think of it as killing two birds with one stone by getting your own daily exercise routine checked off too.

To help you get the most out of your dog walks, feeling motivated and less like a chore, we’ve put together ten dog walking tips to set you up for success.

1. Don’t put on earphones while walking your dog

It’s enticing to want to slap on ear phones and listen to podcasts while walking your dog. However, this can be highly dangerous because your senses may be distracted, potentially drawing dangerous situations to both you and your dog.

We recommend being fully immersed in your dog walking experience with no distractions.

2. Allow your dog to roam and sniff

Your dog walk is likely the only time where your dog is walking outdoors. Let them wonder, roam and sniff around to sharpen their senses. Doing so will enable positive mental stimulation, which really adds up over years of their life.

3. Use a front-clip dog harness if your dog excessively pulls

A front-clip dog harness can be particularly useful if your dog is constantly pulling on their leash. Due to the restrictive nature of the front-clip harness, it prevents dogs from lunging forward and instead, uses the harness to prevent the forward-pulling movement.

4. Always bring a poop bag & pick up your dog’s poop

It’s no surprise that dog waste found on the footpath can highly frustrate home-owners and the local community at large. Don’t be that person to ignore your dog’s poop!

Not picking up your dog’s poop can cause major health concerns to humans and other pets alike. Should your dog’s be contaminated, other dogs who have sniffed the poop may also become sick. This allows for the fast spreading of diseases and bacteria within the community.

To add, some local councils in the UK have already started to impose fines onto dog walkers who are not carrying around poop bags. So, please always pick up your dog’s poop while on walks!

5. Kindly ask before approaching other dogs

Don’t assume that just because your dog is friendly that all other dogs are! Always proceed with caution when meeting other dogs and kindly ask the other owner if it is okay if your dog proceeds to interact with the other dog.

If the other dog owner rejects your greeting, swiftly steer your dog away to avoid any potential conflict. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when your dog’s well-being is at stake.

Always Walk Your Dog With Care

While we all hope for the best on our daily dog walks, it’s important to note that danger can strike at any given moment. This isn’t to scare you, but to act as a reminder that your dog’s physical safety must always be your priority while out on dog walks.

More importantly, we as dog owners must also do the right thing at all times to ensure we eliminate any risks to ourselves and our dog.

Jennifer Lee is a Content Strategist based in Sydney, Australia. She has over 5 years experience in creating engaging content for the home improvement, sustainability and eco-friendly sector.