Dog Walking Tips

Pet owners across America will agree that once you have known the love and loyalty of a dog, you’ll realize the physical and mental health benefits that are derived from knowing such a friend. Even the American Heart Association has linked the ownership of a dog with a lowering of blood pressure and a reduced risk for heart disease. Dogs provide excellent opportunities for anyone to engage in regular fun physical activity.

Cultivating a Fun and Healthy Lifestyle

Change and renewal are the essence of life; keeping physically active well into your later years is important.

Dog walking is good exercise and offers health benefits for both you and your dog. Behaviorists claim that dogs that are taken for daily walks are less likely to be destructive and make better, more contented pets. By following these simple dog-walking tips, you’ll make your daily walk the best and most pleasurable one for you and your beloved pet.

How Walking Benefits You and Your Dog

If you or a loved one have recently moved in to a pet-friendly retirement community, one great way to get to know your fellow neighbors is by walking your dog around the neighborhood. In honor of Walk Your Pet Month, here are 8 tips for staying in control on the walk (and impressing your neighbors for having such a well-behaved dog!):

1. Find a safe environment for you and your dog to walk. If you’re walking for the first time, your first walk should be short – the main goal is to get you and your dog used to being attached to each other. Stop every now and then to allow your pet to sniff around and for you to have a breather.

2. Make sure you communicate to your dog through your body language that you are the pack leader. As much as possible, try to walk firmly, keep your head up and shoulders back.

3. If your dog has reached her golden years, osteoarthritis can cause pain after a long walk. If you’ve notice a little bit of a limp in her step, check with your vet first to see if she can handle a walk.

4. If you’re going on a longer walk, take fresh water along for your dog to drink.

5. Identification for both you and your pet is important on walks. It is a good idea to have your four-legged friend micro-chipped in case she gets loose on your walk. Micro-chipping enhances the chances of your lost pet being found and returned to you. My grandmother once found a pet who had been micro-chipped but, unfortunately, the information was out-dated (by four years!) with no number to reach the previous owners at. Do remember update the information as soon as you change your number or address.

6. Dogs get used to routines and habits. One way to avoid an excited dog leaping against you and scratching fragile skin when you bring out the leash is to store the leash in a different place each time.

7. Don’t attempt to walk your dog if she protests wearing a collar. Get her used to the collar first. Make sure whichever type of collar and leash you pick, they are always in good repair. A short leash is a good idea for city walks so that your dog can’t run into traffic. If you prefer a longer leash for a walk in the park, with the touch of a button, a retractable dog leash will shorten or lengthen as needed.

8. Finally, if you prefer to walk your dog at dusk, wear something reflective. There are dog collars which are reflective too. The collars comes in different styles and colors to suit your dog and make her visible on the road at all times.

SeniorAdvisor.com Staff

Senior Advisor's knowledgeable writers blog about senior care services, trends and more.