Making a Walk Fun

Making a Walk Fun

Kathy Diamond Davis’ Fun Things to Do on a Walk

Copyright Kathy Diamond Davis, author of the book “Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others”

The work was originally published by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), and is republished with VIN permission. 

"Want to go for a walk?" At any given moment there are people all over the world asking their dogs this question. Whether for fun or practical needs, going for a walk is surely the top activity dogs and people do together. It's a misconception, though, that any person and any dog can just snap on a leash and walk out the door in any location and be ready to face the world. 

Preparation

Certainly it can work to do a lot of your training with your dog outside the house on walks. That is, if you have access to suitable areas to work with an untrained dog or you have the handling skill to compensate for the dog's lack of training. Be careful about letting children walk aggressive or rowdy dogs in public. People can get hurt that way.

Enjoyable, safe walks require that dog and handler know how to walk with the leash loose. Otherwise you're both at risk of harm. Dogs are capable of exerting about three times their body weight in strength. Thus your 65-pound dog may put 195 pounds of pressure on the leash with a full-power lunge! 

When you and your dog develop the teamwork to keep the leash loose, it protects both of you as well as people around you who could get hurt by a lunging dog. Most handlers need help from a trainer or class to achieve this training. A variety of training methods will work. 

The key is to consistently act to get the leash loose every single time it goes tight. Every time you walk forward with your dog on a tight leash, you are teaching the dog that a tight leash is normal. That undermines not only the loose leash training, but also your dog's ability to pay attention to you. When you're able to direct your dog's attention consistently, handling and training become easy and pleasant.

You'll also need to choose a suitable collar, harness, or head halter to use with the leash on your dog. A trainer or class will help you make the choice and also teach you to use the device safely and effectively. Individual dogs are built and mentally geared differently, which is why they need different kinds of collars. 

Any aggression issues your dog has will need to be worked out before you walk with the dog in public. Aggression gets worse without the right help. You will want to get help from a reputable behavior specialist promptly for this problem, before the habit becomes too strong to change. 

Choose the safest area available to you for walking. Avoid anyplace your dog might be jumped by out-of-control, aggressive dogs. Avoid warm pavement and outdoor temperatures over 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Guard your dog's feet against caustic substances used to melt ice on pavement in winter. Put protective garments on your dog as needed for walking in cold weather.

Fun Things to Do on a Walk

As recreation, a walk with your dog is hard to beat. The price is right, too! Here are some of the things you and your dog can enjoy on walks:

1. Walk with friends. Perhaps a friend or neighbor doesn't have a dog and would enjoy both the companionship and the additional security of walking with you and your canine companion. This is a great way to help your dog get used to people, too.

2. Tour the neighborhood to see what's new, who planted a new garden or bought a new car. Catch up on the neighborhood doings. Your dog can gain valuable social skills in the process.

3. Enjoy a nature or walking trail open to on-leash dogs. Scenery is good for the soul.

4. Socialize where dogs are allowed, whether it is a park where families take their children to play, or the sidewalk in front of a neighborhood shopping center. Take your dog only where your dog is able to behave safely and courteously. Work your way up to the more difficult situations.

5. Sit awhile on a bench in a park and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells in the company of your canine buddy. 

6. If you have more than one dog, walks are the perfect opportunity to give each of them one-on-one time with you. 

7. Sometimes make it a ride in the car instead of a walk, or drive to a place where you and your dog can get out and walk. Think about ways to integrate walks with your errands.

8. Explore playground equipment when children are not using the playground. Be careful of your dog's safety, but use the opportunity to let your dog explore new shapes and textures.

Educational Things to Do on a Walk

1. Practice loose leash walking with fun maneuvers. Keep your dog guessing about what interesting movement you're going to make next!

2. Stop once in awhile to practice a sit-stay, down-stay, or stand-stay. If someone comes along to pet your dog while you're practicing, release the dog from the stay to accept the petting. That is, unless your dog should not be petted, in which case you'll want to choose more private areas for your walks.

3. Practice full-attention heeling for three minutes at a time. Keep it exciting, and give your dog a clear release from the formal heeling. 

4. Take a long line or retracting leash with you, and practice come-when-called in safe locations.

5. Using a ball on a rope, dumbbell, or other item that will not bounce or roll out of control, practice retrieving with your dog on the long line or retracting leash. 

6. Help your dog greet friendly strangers politely.

7. Have a friend bring a dog along for a two-dog, two-handler walk. This is a great way to introduce two dogs to each other. 

Puppy Walks

Puppies are special when it comes to walking. Their experiences need to be especially positive and their bodies need extra protection. 

Choose your puppy-walking route with great care. You don't want your puppy frightened or hurt by another dog, because that often causes a puppy to grow up aggressive toward other dogs. 

Be guided by your veterinarian about when your puppy is ready for public walks where other dogs have relieved themselves. Until immunization is sufficient, this exposure could result in a fatal illness. Clean places are the rule for young pups.

Don't put your puppy in a situation that could injure growing bones and joints. This means no forced exercise. Be ready to carry the puppy home if necessary! 

Since the puppy is learning about loose leash, plan on not really "getting anywhere" on puppy walks. Stay close to home or to your waiting car. Go as slowly as necessary to keep the loose leash habit. Keep the puppy happy with the amount of exercise, never tired to the point of refusing to continue walking. 

Great Recreation

The company of a large dog (ideally a friendly one) makes it safer to get out and go for the walks you enjoy. Provided your dog is well behaved, people seeing you walk by probably feel safer, too, no matter what the dog's size. They won't worry that you're a burglar, because walking your dog is the obvious reason for your being there.

Dogs serve as wonderful social lubricants, making it easy to connect to your neighborhood and community. People will smile at your dog and include you in the conversation, too! It's a great way to meet your neighbors and improve your fitness at the same time. Your dog will feel important, and dogs need that feeling as much as people do. Want to go for a walk?