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Three Ways To Rock Your Dog's Walk

Paw5

Active Member
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While a stroll around the block may not seem all that exciting or enriching to us, it's probably the highlight of your dog's*day and an adventure he looks forward to. With a couple tweaks, you can turn your daily walk into*your dog’s walking dreams come true!
Set a Sniff Pace
You’ve probably noticed your dog sniff a spot, walk a couple paces, then double-back to sniff that spot some more. Most of us say, “Come on, buddy,†and keep walking. Instead, allow your pup to set the pace, which he’ll likely do with his nose. Let him stop and smell the roses (so to speak) whenever he wants. Sure, it might take twice as long to get around the block, but your dog will get home twice as tired having exercised his strongest sense to its fullest.
Explore New Routes
Most of us are habitual, and our daily walks follow a similar routine. If you’re one who turns left at the end of the driveway every day, try turning right (assuming it’s an equally safe route). Try a neighborhood or a park you’ve never been to before.*
Or, switch it up by allowing your dog to determine the route.*Clearly you’re still in charge of safety, but with minimal guidance from you, allow your dog to determine which turns to make and which streets to cross. You’ll get to experience the world from his perspective!
Include a Training Game
To increase the mental exercise your dog gets on a walk, pack up a pocket full of treats and include games and training while you walk.*You can practice sit, down, stay at traffic lights, practice heeling for fun (so he knows it when the time comes to get serious), or put your pup in a 'stay' while you walk ahead and have him run to catch up with you. There are so many fun ways to engage your dog's brain as you stroll around the block!
Novel experiences are enriching to our dogs because, first, they get bored of the same-old, same-old just like we do. Second, it’s a whole new batch of sights, sounds, and smells for them to encounter and process.*
The daily walk can become boring, but it doesn’t have to be! Try these ideas*to make it the highlight of your dog’s (and your!) day.
Maggie Marton is a freelance writer based in Indianapolis. When not hiking with her two pit mixes, Emmett and Cooper, or playing with Newt the Cat, Maggie writes about them (and the pet industry) at ohmydogblog.com and maggiemarton.com.


More from Paw5!...
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
We actually saw the opposite result from the "sniff pace"...

When we let our dog sniff all over, he went into "hunting" mode... and got all worked up and over-stimulated... and had a hard time calming down once he was home.
Once we put him on "travel" alert... no sniffing (except when given the express OK to do so)... and made him stick close to the human in "travel together" mode - he was much more professional, calm, cool, collected, and ready to relax peacefully once we returned home.

It's good to try different methods and use what works best for your own pooch!
 

MM1234

Well-Known Member
I have been doing the "training game" when we go out on walks. I have found that my little dude comes home tired because not only was he working his legs but also his mind. :)
 

PippatheMastiff

Well-Known Member
Pippa loves to sniff! So we get that out of the way on first part of our walk where there are lots of trees and things to smell. Then I slip my finger under her collar and continue the walk. She knows even using zero pressure that she needs to keep her head up and walk next to me. At the end of walk she is sometimes allowed to do a little more sniffing. I then leave her in yard until it's all out of her system and when she comes in, she's ready for a nap.


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Nik

Well-Known Member
We actually saw the opposite result from the "sniff pace"...

When we let our dog sniff all over, he went into "hunting" mode... and got all worked up and over-stimulated... and had a hard time calming down once he was home.
Once we put him on "travel" alert... no sniffing (except when given the express OK to do so)... and made him stick close to the human in "travel together" mode - he was much more professional, calm, cool, collected, and ready to relax peacefully once we returned home.

It's good to try different methods and use what works best for your own pooch!

Same is true of Diesel. We need to keep him on travel alert as well and no sniffing otherwise he does get all worked up as well. He is much better when he is on task and has a job. It helps him stay calm and relaxed.
 

Pastor Dave

Well-Known Member
Although the exercise for a human is limited on the "walks", I do allow the dogs to sniff a bit at various...well, anything....vertical. But not for very long, and then we get going, sometimes with a pull. I will take the advice of Paws 5 and some of the owners, and allow a bit more time for the sniffing, marking, and doodling around. But we like to walk, and to the dogs, this IS a big deal.
 
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