Dog Walking Tips: Keeping Your Dog Safe On Walks
As a dog owner, you need to provide your dog with obedience training and social skills. And when you are outside on walks with your dog, you must supervise your dog at all times and ensure your dog is kept within calling distance and under control.
Going on a walk with your dog is a great way to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog. You and your dog can meet new friends while enjoying the outdoor fun. Although that’s not a high-risk activity, your dog can still sustain injuries during the walk. Yet we can make some preparations to prevent that happen.
Preparation for Dog Walking
Depending on the kind of walk you are taking, you will need various things. For example, if you are going for a daily walk with your dog, you basically need below items:
- Water - Take fresh water for you and your dog to drink, especially when it’s hot outside
- Treats - to reward your dog for his good behaviour during practice training
- Plastic bag or scoop - to clean up your dog’s poo (Poop bag) (Litter scoop)
- Boots - to protect your dog’s feet especially on hot surfaces or surfaces with small, sharp items
Things Your Need to Pay Attention To
- Consult with Your Veterinarian Before Beginning An Exercise Regimen: Instead of long walks, some dogs need to have walks that are short and easy. If they have prolonged walks, they may suffer from health problems. So it will be great to consult with your veterinarian before you start any exercise
- Always Keep Your Dog on A Leash in Public Areas: As your dog’s owner/parent, you must supervise him and protect him from things that may hurt him. Even the best-behaved dogs occasionally chase after other animals or get into things that may be dangerous. A leash can ensure your dog is kept within calling distance and under control.
- Always Stay Visible: Most owners have to work during the day and get home after dusk, so they could only walk their dogs at night. You may also have to walk your dog at night. For safety concern, you and your dog should wear reflective vests, and your dog should go out with a glow collar and reflective boots. That is to let others see you and your dog even in extremely dark place. Also avoid heavy-traffic areas if possible.
- Always Bring Water (and Snacks): It’s OK not to grab a water bottle and bowl if you decide to walk your dog around the block. However, if you plan to walk a 2-mile loop (or more) with your lab, you absolutely should bring water with you and your dog. A dog-friendly water bottle on longer treks is a good choice. Make sure you both drink plenty of water before, during and after your walk. If you are planing to train your dog during the walks, you should also bring some snacks to reward your dog for his well behave.
- Be Mindful of Your Dog’s Feet: It’s important to protect yourself and your dog from excessive heat and sunburn. You can wear a hat, long clothing, sunglasses and use sunscreen. Your dog has fur for self-protection. Yet you should be mindful for his feet. For example, you can walk during the cooler parts of the day when the weather’s hot, and avoid walking on extremely hot surfaces. You can also get your dog waterproof boots to protect his feet from snow, ice, dirt, heat and small, sharp objects.
Last but not Least
- Knowing how to get help ( e.g. call the local lost dog’s home, your doctor, veterinarian, etc.)
- Make sure your dog is properly identified
- Make sure your dog is desexed
- Always keep your dog within calling distance and under control
- Always supervise dogs around young children
- Prepare for dog walking as you would prepare for any exercise, with stretches and the right equipment
Interested in knowing what not to do when walking dogs? Click here!