One of your dog’s favorite 4 letter words…. WALK
Here are a few tips to get the most out of your walk with your dog!
Stop and Smell the Roses:
Quite literally… Dog’s noses can pick up smells undetectable to the human nose.
Allowing your dog to stop and sniff can help work their noses and their brains, making for a more tired dog when you get back home!
Train your Dog:
Adding in some basic training on a walk will help your dog listen to you outside and well as work their brain.
Mental exercise can help tire out a dog, especially when paired with physical exercise.
Go Somewhere New:
If you’re like me, I tend to get into the habit of walking the same loop around my neighborhood every day.
Switch it up! Go to a park, walk through a different neighborhood, find a new trail, blaze your own trail…
This will allow your dog to explore a whole new area with lots of new smells, which may tire him or her out more than your usual loop!
Your Attention Please:
While you’re walking, reward your dog with praise, affection, a sniff break, or food every time he or she makes eye contact with you.
By frequently rewarding this behavior, you will see it more often. *If you have a dog who is reactive, this is a good first step!*
This will also increase your bond with your dog by having them check in with you regularly.
Pump the Breaks:
If you have a dog who pulls, I always recommend the Easy Walk Harness as a good starting point to help take the edge off the pulling.