How to Take a Dog for a Walk

When raising pets, you will have to give them a lot of time, love and patience. Pets require a lot of care and responsibility, especially when it comes to training or learning to walk your dog. There are many things that you need to take into account, from buying the right collars and leashes to setting requirements and rewarding your dog for a job well done. This will take time, but you’ll soon know what to do so you and your dog have a great walking experience.

Table of Contents

Walking the dog: basic notes

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Wear a collar and leash for the dog. There will come a time when your four-legged friend realizes it’s time to go for a walk when you just need to reach for the leash. You should get your dog used to this early by using a collar from a young age. Put a collar on the dog and say “Let’s go” and show the dog the leash.

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Wear the necklace snugly, but not too tight. Make sure not to put the collar too tight on the dog. As a general rule, you should be able to get a finger or two between the dog’s collar and neck. ^{[1] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to the source} Collars should also not be too loose to prevent them from slipping through the dog’s ears as he struggles to get free.

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Decide which side to walk the dog. Consistency is important when training your dog to walk. Choosing a side to walk the dog will help it recognize this activity. The dog will get used to walking by predicting what will happen. Remember, walking on a leash is not a natural activity for dogs. ^{[2] X Research Source} You may need to take some time to adjust.

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Pull the leash close to your body. The most important thing when walking your dog is to maintain control so that the dog does not take control. You are the owner of it, and this needs to show up while walking. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Wrap the leash around your hand so that the dog is only a short distance from you.
Pull the leash close to the body, but leave enough space for the dog to walk naturally.
The dog will feel the tension of the leash and will know that it is not allowed to get ahead of you.

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Talk to the dog. Your dog will understand your voice. Don’t lose your temper. Encourage your dog by saying “Good job” or “Good job” every time he does it right. Use a stern voice when teaching your dog not to do something, such as barking at passersby or growling at other dogs.

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Reward your dog with a treat. Use rewards when teaching your dog to walk, especially when you want to teach your dog not to pull on a leash. You need to reward your dog regularly and consistently. ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

Set aside a reward your dog especially enjoys for training purposes. Many dogs are excited about things like sausage, cheese, or beef jerky.

Buy the right equipment for walking your dog

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Talk to your veterinarian before purchasing a dog walker. Your veterinarian knows your dog as well as you do and can recommend the type of equipment you need. Trust your veterinarian in choosing the right collar and leash for your specific breed or weight. They can give you tips on how to prevent your dog from developing neck problems due to improper collars. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Buy collars and leashes that are suitable for dogs. There are many types of dog collars and leashes on the market, but not all of them are right for your dog. For example, a traditional buckle collar and a hook-leash are often used for dogs that are easy to handle while walking. For dogs that are more difficult or uncooperative, you can opt for more controllable collars and leashes. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Sliding collars help control easily distracted dogs.
Control collars help tame dogs that are prone to pulling.
A horse-belt collar will be useful for dogs with a long neck.
Specialized necklaces include shock collars, vibration necklaces, and GPS necklaces.
The glow-in-the-dark collar will make it easier for people to see you and your dog.

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Consider using a clicker device to train your dog. This device is highly rated for its safety and effectiveness in dog training. You can use the clicker to reinforce good behavior and communicate with your dog clearly and succinctly. The sound of the clicker, and then the reward, will communicate to the dog that it did the right thing. ^{[7] X Source of Research} The clicker method is effective in training dogs to walk as well as when training other behaviors, such as barking, defecating, and playing tricks. Use the clicker, then the reward in the following steps:

Start wearing necklaces and leashes.
When the dog stops resisting the leash.
When the dog walks behind you or next to you.
Repeat often during the walk.
When you get home and untie the leash.
Repeat daily.

Make sure your walk is comfortable

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Know when it’s too hot to walk the dog. Temperature will be the determining factor in the best time to walk your dog. Early morning and late afternoon are suitable times of the day for you to walk your dog. Avoid walking at noon when the sun is already high, as the sidewalk can be too hot for a dog’s paws. The best way to test to see if a place is too hot is to press your hand against the sidewalk. If you have to lift your hand after just 5 seconds, it’s too hot.. ^{[8] X Research Source}

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Bring plenty of water and food. In addition to the dog litter bag and clicker, you should bring a dog food bowl and water bottle. Providing water for your dog is important when you walk your dog for long periods of time in hot weather. During the summer months, you need to bring more water. ^{[9] X Research Sources} Healthy and easy-to-carry snacks include:

Strawberry
Seedless watermelon
Sliced Apples
Blueberry
Carrot
Crushed ice on hot days

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Rest when necessary and go to a shady place when possible. Don’t push yourself too hard when you’re getting your dog used to walking, especially the first time he’s put on a collar and leash. Puppies may get tired of pulling and resisting. Find a shady spot to rest for a few minutes while walking.

Advice

Bring a spray bottle of cool water to prevent the dog from fixing other dogs.
Clean up the things that are left out while walking.
Talk to the dog and practice voice commands during the walk.
Avoid muzzle dogs, as it can cause dogs to become aggressive.
Introduce your dog to other dogs from a young age.
Do not use shock necklaces and spiked necklaces. Using fear and pain to teach your dog the right behavior is the wrong way to do it.
Avoid using a stretched leash, as this will teach your dog that he can pull to get around freely, and it will be very difficult for you to stop him when he pulls.
As the dog gets older, it will take more time to get used to other dogs.
When walking your dog, you should bring his favorite food and toys. If your dog stops walking and won’t budge, you can throw these out to get his attention.

Things you need

Leash and necklace or bib belt
Dog identification card
Reward
Water
Dog waste bags
Clicker
Toys (depending on where you go for a walk)

Steps

Walking the dog: basic notes

Buy the right equipment for walking your dog

Make sure your walk is comfortable

Advice

Things you need

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