WRITTEN BY: Mary Green
“Wanna go for a walk?” Ahh. The favorite words for so many dogs.
Going for a walk is a win-win for dogs and their humans. Besides the obvious physical benefit (for the person and the dog) that walking provides, the connection to each other and the environment is hugely satisfying.
It doesn’t matter if you are power walking through your neighborhood on a route you’ve taken dozens of times, if you’re walking with your dog, she will discover something new. The environment is always changing. You may become “nose blind” to the sights, sounds and smells of your neighborhood, but your dog won’t. Tap into her enthusiasm rather than trying to power through it.
Stop and smell the flowers, so to speak. While your dog is investigating trees and mailboxes, take a moment and appreciate something—a nice garden, a pretty sky, anything! As a senior myself, I can be situationally unaware. If I pay attention to my dog, she helps me stay alert and observant. That’s a great benefit of walking in my neighborhood.
It’s a special day when we get to go for a nature walk. I may be extra cautious of my footing, or worried about ticks or snakes, but my dog is having the time of her life. She is smelling everything and literally turning over rocks! I enjoy watching her frolic. I like to take that time to reconnect with nature and all that it has to offer. I must let go of some of my anxieties and just enjoy the experience— again, a benefit of walking with my dog.
However, it may not be easy to walk with your dog. Perhaps she pulls ahead on the leash. Or she gets under-foot, and you feel like she will trip you. These are training issues that are somewhat easily solved.
First, have the right equipment and have it properly fitting. At K9 Manners & More, we recommend using a harness rather than a neck collar for a dog that’s pulling on leash. The anti-pulling harnesses are especially helpful in discouraging pulling behavior. The Blue-9 Balance Harness and the Freedom Harness are both good choices.
We do not recommend using a retractable leash as they can be dangerous. A good choice might be a bungee harness that works sort of like a shock absorber when the dog
pulls. Whatever leash you decide to use, never wrap it around your hand or wrist. If your dog bolts or pulls really hard, it can break your hand.
Now put on your silver sneakers, grab a leash (and some poop bags) and whisper those magic words to your four-legged companion.
Mary Green—CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer Knowledge Assessed; CDBC: Certified Dog Behavior Counselor; CNWI: Certified Nose Work Instructor; K9 Manners & More, Broken Arrow
