Photo from the site kinolog-mk.com
Often in parks, squares, stadiums and many other crowded places you can meet a lady with a cute miniature dog (usually a Spitz or Chihuahua), a married couple with a stately shepherd dog, a serious athlete with a Rottweiler or Doberman... the list goes on and on.
No matter what time you come to the park, someone will still be walking the dog.
Only a person who is completely far from the animal world would not understand why he watches this exhibition of domestic animals every day. Fortunately or unfortunately, walking your dog is a vital necessity, and without training both the dog and yourself in time, you can then come across “surprises” from your four-legged friend in your apartment for many years.
In this article we will tell you
how to walk your dog correctly and at what time, and also give the basic rules that you need to follow along the way. After all, getting used to walking is one of the main postulates in raising a young animal.
Photo from the site www.delfi.lv
Tips for novice dog owners
Unfortunately, it often happens that when buying a dog, family members almost fight for the opportunity to walk with the newly acquired Rex or Jack. And after some time, the enthusiasm diminishes considerably. Not everyone is ready to change their daily routine for the sake of their little brother: get up earlier, go to bed later, spend several hours every day on those same walks in parks and squares.
Photo from the site www.vseodetyah.com
Relatives are beginning to increasingly complain about how often they need to walk the dog and they are unlikely to be able to do it regularly. Therefore, they do not allow their children to have a pet, knowing that the dog will not receive proper care from them anyway. But, if you still believe that you can become a responsible person, then our advice will help you.
Before you go for a walk, put a collar, leash, and muzzle on your dog. Over time, the animal will begin to realize that if you pick up the leash, it’s time to go for a walk. By the way, the use of characteristic phrases also plays a role, so pull the leash towards yourself and say loudly and clearly: “Go for a walk!”
Photo from the site forum.ngs.ru
Continue talking to your pet throughout the route. If the dog plays around or behaves aggressively, use a stern, commanding voice. If the dog is obedient and friendly, do not skimp on praise: “well done,” “good,” etc.
Remember that the collar should be fastened tightly, but not tightly. There should be 1-2 fingers between the product and the dog’s neck.
Decide in advance whether the dog will be on your right or left side. It is not recommended to change sides from walk to walk. You must decide which side is more comfortable and convenient for you to be in, so that if something happens, you can pull the dog away. If your pet constantly rushes to the side, you need to learn the command with him: “Near!”, while pulling the leash so that the dog is in the indicated place.
When you're teaching a young dog to take daily walks, be sure to reward him from time to time. But do it in such a way that the pet understands that he received a treat because he behaved well, for example, he did not pull the leash too much towards himself and immediately received a treat. If you don’t have anything tasty with you, then just pet the dog, so he will feel your love.
Photo from www.yaplakal.com
Try to change your route regularly. Firstly, you yourself will discover new places. Secondly, the dog will be able to remember as many ways to the house as possible and, if it ever gets lost, it will have a better chance of finding its home. But do this only after the dog has learned the basic route. Otherwise, she will be nervous and worry that something has gone wrong.
Don't walk in hot weather. In summer, the asphalt gets very hot and your pet’s paws will be hot. Before you go for a walk: test the asphalt with your palm. This way you will protect your friend from burns. Dogs are also susceptible to heatstroke, so you need to be very careful during summer walks.
Owners of very active dogs always carry a water spray bottle with them. To easily cool down your pet's ardor on occasion.
Photo from tsamax.su
Where and how to walk your dog
The times when pets of any breed and size could be walked anywhere have sunk into oblivion. Currently, the Law on Keeping and Walking Dogs is in force throughout the country. It regulates all the rights and obligations of owners and animals.
The law was adopted back in 2009. And its various articles on the territory of various subjects of the federation are somewhat modified. As well as the amount of fines for offenses.
Often inexperienced owners wonder whether it is possible to walk a dog without a muzzle.
The word muzzle is usually paired with the combination “big dog” (we are talking about guard, fighting breeds). Or a representative of any species whose height at the withers exceeds 45 cm.
Photo from archytector.livejournal.com
Anyone who does not walk a dog while wearing a muzzle pays a fine. Moreover, ordinary citizens who violate this rule will pay 1,000 rubles, and government officials are required to pay 3,000 for the same offense.
But even after dressing the dog in protection, you cannot appear with him on a playground or beach, as well as in a cemetery and in the area of an educational (kindergarten, school) or medical institution, this also includes the courtyards of multi-storey buildings and industrial zones. These are the top places where you can’t walk dogs.
But there are still several places where large dogs can frolic without a muzzle. For these purposes, there are specially equipped areas, fenced off, as well as vacant lots, if the owner guarantees the safety of everyone around them.
It is worth noting that
specialized sites were built only in the largest cities of the country: Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as some cities with a population of over a million. Other dog owners need to try very hard to legally walk their dogs in our country.
All that remains is to walk through squares and parks, but do it very carefully, because they often have playgrounds, and even if not, there are still enough kids in each park.
You will have to pay a fine for your dog even if you do not clean up its feces. Such an offense is estimated at 500-1000 rubles.
How many times a day should you walk your dog:
The answer to this question depends on the breed and age of your pet. Puppies need to be walked as often as possible to instill this habit in them. At least 3-4 times a day: after feeding and after sleep, if possible, increase the number to 7 times a day. It is advisable to walk young dogs (up to 1 year) about 3 times a day. Adults (from 1 year of age) are able to relieve themselves only twice a day.
Photo from the site alchemia-records.ru
In the summer, each walk should be at least 20 minutes so that the pet has time to have fun and socialize with other dogs. In winter, the duration of walks should be reduced to 10-15 minutes; this time is enough for the animal to complete its main task and not freeze in the cold.
Many new dog owners wonder when to walk their dog: before or after meals. There is no consensus on this issue. After all, it all depends on your dog’s metabolism. Some specimens need several hours to digest food, while others need about a day. Gradually, you will be able to navigate your pet’s biological clock and develop a daily routine for him. But at first, you will most likely have to proceed by trial and error.
Photo from the site kotopes.ru
Nevertheless, most dog breeders are inclined to believe that it is correct to walk the dog 3-4 hours after it has eaten. Moreover, the meal should preferably be the only one. A dog should not be fed several times a day; its stomach is structured differently and a full meal once a day is enough for it.
If you feed the dog after work from 17.00 to 19.00, then adding 4 hours gives the time for one of the walks (at night): at 21.00 or 23.00, respectively. After this, the dog’s body is able to tolerate the urge to defecate throughout the night - until the morning walk at 7.00 or 8.00. It is advisable to take a young dog (up to a year) for a walk at lunchtime (from 14.00 to 16.00). Here is the answer to the question: how many times to walk the dog.
If you don’t want to get up early on the weekend, try to walk your dog as late as possible the day before. But no one can guarantee that on Sunday morning he will not begin to howl pitifully at your bedroom door, or even worse: scratch himself and run around the apartment.
Photo from dogdiary.ru
This is interesting
If you don’t have time to walk your dog the required number of times a day, a “walker” will do it for you. Tariffs and prices for representatives of this profession are different. For example, according to the website dog-walk.ru, 45 minutes of walking your dog with a service worker will cost 490 rubles. Someone from a professional team of dog handlers, veterinarians, photographers, etc. will walk with your pet.
Why don't owners walk their dogs enough?
There can be many reasons why owners restrict their dogs from walking. For example, a dog pulls on the leash in such a way that it tears off its arms, is aggressive towards passers-by or rushes at other dogs, chases cats and birds, chases cars, or is simply panicky afraid of the street.
However, deprivation of walks, as well as their insufficient frequency or duration, only aggravates such problems! The only acceptable solution in this case is to exercise the dog so that you can safely walk with it as much as necessary.
Another reason that can prevent you from walking your dog is bad weather. But dogs walk in any weather. If your pet is cold or refuses to walk in the rain, you may want to think about suitable clothing that will protect your dog from the elements. In extreme heat, it makes sense to shift walking times to “early in the morning” and “later in the evening” or use cooling blankets for dogs.
By the way, an interesting study was conducted, which found that British residents walk their dogs more than Australians. But the weather in the UK is much worse! So it's probably not the weather.
Which dogs should not be walked?
Yes, you read that right. There are dog breeds that do not require daily walks. It is not difficult to guess that these include representatives of small or even dwarf breeds. Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Japanese Chins, Shih Tzus, and the pug that is included in this list are all capable of relieving themselves in a litter box. Well, of course, it’s better to accustom them to this from puppyhood.
Photo from pikabu.ru
Pugs are so lazy that they leave their bed only in two cases: to eat and to get rid of what they have eaten. Representatives of dwarf breeds are more active, but they quench their thirst for communication while in an apartment with their owners. A few laps around the room will exhaust a 5-kilogram Spitz, and going outside with him every day is not at all necessary. Walking of these breeds is optional.
Even the smallest and laziest dog needs physical activity in nature and communication with other “tailed animals,” so take your pet for a walk a couple of times a week. Moreover, those around them are very loyal to small dogs and have rather positive feelings towards them. And owners of small breeds don’t have to worry about a muzzle.
Photo from the site club.xdogs.ru
How often and for how long should you go for a walk?
Most dogs can wait up to 10-12 hours between walks. It is enough to walk with them twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. But if your dog has problems with the nervous or genitourinary system, then the number of walks can increase to three or four per day.
Puppies are walked more often - every 2-3 hours. They cannot stand it any longer for physiological reasons, so do not scold them for mistakes at home. In a couple of months, the puppy will get into a routine and get used to waiting six hours or longer between walks.
The duration of the walk depends on the age and breed of the dog.
For calm, decorative or older dogs, one and a half to two hours a day is enough. For hunting and young dogs, the time increases to three to four hours. Sled dogs need to take even longer walks or include intense exercise in their walks.
The morning walk is usually shorter than the evening walk - 30 minutes is enough. An evening walk is more thorough; during it, the dog needs to spend all the energy accumulated during the day.
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