We all know dogs need regular walks, we take them out to potty or exercise and get a good sniff. Did you know that a truly fulfilling walk can help your dog to not only get physical exercise and relieve themselves, but can provide valuable mental enrichment that will help reduce issues such as frustration, excess energy, destructive behaviors and boredom?
So how can you turn your usual walk into a magical and fun experience for your dog? Here are some tips:
- Use a longer leash! a nice 15-20 foot leash will reduce pulling and give your dog the freedom to enjoy exploring the area around you.
- Give yourself time. If you are in a hurry, your stress will track down the leash and make your dog anxious and neither of you will truly enjoy the walk.
- Bring along some treats. you can spend a few minutes practicing skills like coming when called, checking in, sit or down. you can also enhance your dogs walk by tossing a few treats into the grass for them to sniff out!
- Allow your dog time to enjoy the walk, a leisurely stroll during which your main objective is simply to let your dog be a dog, can be quite enjoyable and lets your dog wear themselves out with natural behaviors they enjoy, like smelling and peeing on everything!
Next time you get the chance, try out some of these tips and see how different your walks can be!