If you’ve been a pet owner for a while, taking your dog on walks is second nature. You go through a short mental checklist and set off without missing a beat. Leash? Check. Shoes? Check. Dog? Check. You probably don’t think much of it. It’s just a walk, after all, right?
While walking your dog might seem simple, it’s easy to fall into bad habits that can ruin the experience for your pup (or you) or reinforce poor leash behavior. Let’s dig into the top common mistakes people make while walking their furry friends and what you should do instead.
NEVER do this when walking your dog:
Keep them from sniffing
Dogs explore the world through scent. Your daily walks are the perfect time for your pup to get the lay of the land and explore the smells of the neighborhood. Keeping them from sniffing interferes with their natural instinct and can hamper their enjoyment of the walk. If you have a licker, that’s another story. Licking on vegetation or in areas where other dogs have urinated is not something you should permit, as it can cause sickness.
Leave their poop
Being a responsible pet owner means being responsible for every part of your pet — including the less cute and fluffy parts…like their poop. Picking up your dog’s droppings (and taking the bag with you) is respectful and appropriate when out on a walk.
People, other dogs, and the environment all benefit when you do your part to keep your parks, trails, sidewalks, and greenspaces clean.
Note: Picking up your dog’s poop and leaving the bag is worse than not picking it up at all! This is littering and against the law. Carrying a bag of poop might not fit your idea of an enjoyable walk, but you can usually find a trashcan nearby.
Let them pull
Most dogs aren’t pulling for nefarious reasons. They get excited, catch a scent, want to run and explore, or just get tired of you walking too slowly for their tastes.
However, letting them pull reinforces the behavior and enables them to take charge of you — leading to problems on and off the leash. It also adds undue stress to their neck (if you’re not using a harness) and could contribute to tracheal collapse.
Instead of yanking the leash back when they start to pull (which will cause them to pull right back), simply stop and wait for them to look at you. When they do, reward them with praise and a small treat, and keep walking.
Do this anytime they start to pull on the leash. This training may be tedious initially, but it is well worth the effort and will make walking more enjoyable for you and your canine companion.
Choose the wrong leash
Leash length is a hot topic among pet training experts. Some say you should put your dog on a long leash to give them room to explore, while others suggest keeping them on a short leash for more control and guidance.
The true answer is somewhere in the middle. Leashes around four to six feet long are the best option and give you control while still giving your dog plenty of space to sniff and use the bathroom.
Never use a retractable leash! Many injuries and accidents to dogs and humans have occurred from using these dangerous leashes.
Note: If you have a puppy, or a dog new to leash training, you’ll want to stick around the four-foot length.
Walk behind them
Letting your dog take the lead on walks means they’re walking you, not the other way around. This can lead to dominance issues, misbehavior, pulling, and chaotic walks. If they get ahead of you, shorten the leash to help you regain control of the situation.
Remember, you are the pack leader — act like it.
Use choke chains or pinch collars
Old-fashioned choke chains or pinch collars can seriously injure your pet. These collars cut off your dog’s airway, pinch the skin, and don’t even work to prevent pulling! Always use appropriately-fitting restraints when walking your dog.
If your pooch has breathing issues, like a collapsed trachea or breed-related airway restrictions (french bulldog, pug, etc.), walk them with a harness instead of a collar.
Here are a few expert-recommended restraints:
- Martingale collar
- Properly-fitting harness
- Standard flat collar
Note: Consult your veterinarian or pet trainer if you’re unsure about the best type of restraint for your dog.
Approach unfamiliar dogs without permission
You should only approach unfamiliar dogs with their owners’ express permission. However, this is even more important when walking with your dog.
Other dogs might be unfriendly, aggressive, or out of date on their shots. No matter the reason, assuming it’s okay to bring your dog close to any other dog is a recipe for disaster. Reign in your furry friend when walking by another dog, and only allow them to sniff or interact with each other if the owner consents.
Walk your dog on hot pavement
Never walk your dog on hot pavement without some protection for its paws. Test out the concrete with your bare feet. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet.
Take your dog for a walk in the morning or evening after the concrete has cooled. You can also invest in special booties that protect their feet from hot concrete and deicing agents and salt during the winter.
Let your dog off the leash in the improper area
Nothing brings more joy than letting your dog off the leash to play, run around, or chase a ball. However, it’s imperative that you only do this in safe, designated areas such as dog parks.
Never let your dog off leash in a restricted area. In many parks and hiking trails, it is illegal to let your dog off-leash. This is usually for safety reasons or to protect a delicate ecosystem.
If you are in a safe space where off-leash activity is permitted, always check for hazards and don’t allow them to stray far from you.
Rush bathroom breaks
How would you feel if someone yanked on your neck while you were trying to take care of your bathroom business? Give your pet time and space while they poop or pee on walks.
Walk your dog without identification
Just as you wouldn’t drive your car without your license, your dog shouldn’t leave the house without identification. Yes, you’ll be with them, but you never know what can happen. What if they slip their collar, pull the leash out of your hands, and take off?
Invest in a microchip ID for your pet or a metal identification tag with your name and phone number (getting both is even better!). Accidents happen, so you must be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Let them pee on private property
Dog pee isn’t great for plants, grass, or mailbox posts. Respect your neighbor’s property by preventing your dog from peeing in their yards. Take them to a public potty area early in the walk to let them empty their tank — far away from Betty Smith’s prized rose bushes.
Zone out or walk mindlessly
Walking by yourself can be an excellent stress reliever and meditation. It’s a wonderful time to let your mind wander and relax. However, this isn’t true when walking your dog.
You should actively engage in the exercise, monitor your dog, note other dogs, and stay mentally present during the entire walk. Zoning out opens the door to accidents and poor leash behavior.
Walk the same route
There’s nothing wrong with having a favorite walking path. Many dogs love routine and smell familiar scents. They can also get bored if they walk the same route every day. Mix things up!
Take them to a nearby park, walk around a lake, or go on a new hike. When you have time, introduce new areas and locations into your dog’s life. They’ll love exploring and gain more mental benefits from the walk if you keep things interesting.
You could do something as simple as walking on a different street in your neighborhood or starting your loop in a different direction.
Rush your walk
When you’re in a hurry, you tend to get impatient and often react poorly when your dog acts out. If you don’t have time for a leisurely walk, cut it short instead of rushing.
Walking your dog: It’s more than just exercise
Avoiding these simple dog-walking mistakes and implementing these tips and tricks will keep your dog safe, interested, and healthy. Walking isn’t just about getting your dog exercise and letting them go to the bathroom. Giving your dog a little more attention on your walks will improve your dog’s trust, allow you to spend quality time together, and help you get closer to your four-legged friend!
