Dog Walking Tips

Dogs originated from wolves and therefore, possess leadership instincts. Though, they have adapted themselves well in the human society and earned the reputation of man's best friend, we humans tend to overlook some of the dominant dog behavior. Every existing dog breed has certain wild instincts that needs to be recognized and well trained. Following are some of the dominant instincts that could make a dog walker's job difficult and challenging.

• Demanding
• Stubbornness
• Begging
• Jumping or pouncing
• Pushiness
• Biting
• Overpowering the weak dogs

• Turning aggressive when eating food
• Leading the way while taken on a walk or sometimes refusing to walk
• Disobeying the commands
• Dominant stance
• Submissive stance (walking with head and shoulders down)

These are some of the common dog behavior that are prevalent in different dog breeds. It includes lot of efforts in teaching the dog how to walk as per the owner's will. Therefore, the temperament and the behavior plays an important role during such training sessions. I have listed some easy-to-follow ideas for taking your dog on walks.

Basic training of the dog must begin when it's just a pup. When a pup goes through obedience training, it begins to understand the various commands and attempts to obey them. Either the owner or a professional dog trainer can plan effective puppy training sessions. Training a dog is a long process and must be pursued very thoroughly.

Level of training must change, while the pup is growing up. During the process of growing up, dogs are likely to pick up certain bad habits out of their dominating instincts. It is the time to be more careful, as overload of training can turn the dogs reluctant towards their master.

Once the dog begins to obey all the basic commands, teaching the walk would become an easy task for you.

This is the first step towards teaching your dog how to walk when it is taken into different environment. During this time, it would want to explore the new place and tends to lead the master. At times, it may get out of control and even drag the owner or the trainer.

When you take your dog on a walk it is likely to encounter other dog breeds too. This might trigger the instinct of overpowering other dogs through barking or running after them.

Before taking the dog out for a walk, call the dog to you. Dogs often get excited once they know that you are taking them for a walk. As the dog approaches you, wait till it calms down. Command him to sit and stay, before putting the leash. Once the dog is settled, put the leash around its neck and keep it slightly loose.

This technique creates a little discomfort near the neck area of the dog and to avoid it, it might just learn to obey the master. In case the dog is too excited and tries to pull harder, stop the walk and command your dog to sit, till the level of excitement reduces. Without giving any commands just start walking again making your dog follow you.

The dog is only allowed to sniff or relieve himself as per the owner's will. This confidence and authority of the owner, makes the dog surrender to the commands of its master. The owner has to be strong enough to avoid all the other distractions and keep leading the way for the dog. This prevents the dog from getting into a fight with other dogs.

The case is different when you have to take more than one or two dogs for a walk. In this case, one of the dogs might try to lead the pack. This dominance must be recognized and stopped immediately to avoid an embarrassing situation.

Therefore, while taking multiple dogs for a walk, the owner must be on the lead so that none of the dogs try to dominate the pack. Walking the dogs in confidence and leading their way, is the key to attain a successful walk session.

Having a dog as a pet binds the owner with many responsibilities. Taking the dog on a walk is among the difficult duties to perform. The handler has to always be careful, alert and confident and focus on maintaining the lead for the dog.