How to have a successful walk with your dog?

Tips and tricks for having a good time walking with your dog

Contrary to what you might think, a walk with your dog must be prepared and must follow certain behaviors during it. It is a moment of sharing, socialization, discovery of the outside world but it is above all a moment that your dog spends by your side!

Why walk my dog?

Like humans, a dog needs to stay in shape, and it's not by staying on the couch that he'll be able to do it! In France, 30% of dogs are affected by obesity, so to prevent rather than cure, grab the leash and put on your sneakers.

More than an activity, it is a crucial moment for him. Yes, he lets off steam, sees other dogs, develops his sense of smell but above all he can do his business quietly. Also, a tired and relaxed dog will be less likely to have destructive or agitated behavior at home. So to summarize, walks will let off steam for your dog (he will sniff and exercise), they allow him to live better and longer and finally, these walks will make your dog much calmer at home.

How often ?

It all depends on the dog and your home. Here's the lowdown: a puppy doesn't have a great retention capacity, so he needs to go out after every meal and between meals, while an adult dog can hold it a little longer. A puppy should be taken out about 7 to 8 times a day, for about 5 to 10 minutes each time, because they get tired quickly. On the other hand, an adult dog will need longer outings of at least 20 minutes 3 times a day. For an old man, opt for more frequent but shorter walks to adapt to his pace.

It also depends on where you live, if you live in an apartment you should take your dog out in the morning, at noon, or in the afternoon and evening, that is to say two to three times a day. If you live in a house with a garden you can reduce to once or twice a day, but not less! Your dog will quickly go around the yard, he needs more space to explore!

Be well equipped before going out

We don't let ourselves be fooled by the unexpected because we tell you everything you need to remember to take. So already taking your dog is a good start 😊. Okay, enough laughing, let's get down to business: you will need at least a leash and a collar, because in France, keeping your dog on a leash is mandatory in public spaces and since 2024, also in woods and forests from April 15 to June 30 in order to preserve the reproduction of wildlife. We know that it can be frustrating for him, so we try to let him free from time to time, but it is crucial to teach him to walk at heel and to come back when you call him, especially if there are people around. Remember, your dog bites which engages your responsibility, worse, it can go very far for the dog: any bite must be declared and the dog must undergo a behavioral assessment (assessment at your expense). Then 15 days after the bite, the veterinarian checks the dog's health and gives its owner three copies of the surveillance certificate each time. This is in the best case scenario, in the worst case, your dog may end up in the pound or euthanized if your dog is considered too dangerous. So, safety standards should not be taken lightly.

This parenthesis closed, let's get back to the basic equipment :) You can start with a short leash to teach him the basics. But be careful, don't be too demanding about walking at heel, he doesn't have the same gait as you and needs to let off steam!

For dogs that pull a little, some trainers recommend walking with a collar for training because it is much less pleasant than a harness for a dog that pulls and therefore he will learn faster. But quickly after a little training, we recommend classic harnesses or anti-pull harnesses, this allows you to concentrate the force on the torso and not on the neck which could strangle him. Then, depending on the season, check the ground: in winter, icy or salty ground can be painful for Fido's paws, and in summer, the ground can be burning, so plan socks or morning and night walks or adapt your outing times to avoid frozen or burning ground.

If the walk is long, it is always better to go out with something to hydrate your four-legged friend and some treats if you take advantage of the walks for learning. In addition, avoid taking your dog out right after a big meal, it is advisable to wait at least thirty minutes afterwards so that your dog is not uncomfortable when he goes out.

On a walk

If you have to take your dog in the car, you must put him in the back and have something to tie him up for his safety and yours. After all, he is just like us, passengers. If your dog is a little boisterous, there are transport cages that allow for a safe journey.

Nature walks allow dogs to develop their sense of smell, move more freely and strengthen their immune system. A good walk like this will let your dog loosen up more and will ask to go out less often because they know that their outings are qualitative and long.

Being out of town doesn't mean that other owners may have had the same idea as you. If you see a dog in the distance, call yours back to heel and try to calm him down. Even if your dog is adorable and sociable, you don't know if it's reciprocal when you're opposite. Contrary to what you might think, no, it's not up to the dog to decide to sniff his friend; a meeting between dogs must come from a human and mutual agreement!

Play with your dog

Like children, a dog needs to play with you. He loves his special moments together, so if you also play a little, it's the jackpot. This will create strong bonds between you and it also allows him to exercise. Yes, some dogs run around on their own and others are a little more relaxed. For the latter, you sometimes have to encourage them to run a little to keep their waistline in check. In short, walks are quality time for your dog, it keeps him in good physical and mental health. So, sneakers on, leash in hand and let's go.