Dexy Does... Walkies!

Woof!

Hello! Sorry it's been so long, been a busy pup! So I return with a new Dexy Does.. all about the art of walkies. Igaboo, my owner, was very silly when she first got me and thought as a dog I would naturally walk happily on a lead, well, she learnt that's not true, walking your pooch is a skill you need to teach us pups, and the key to happy walkies is the key to good exercise and stimulus for me.

The first thing you need to consider is the lead, I have a puppy lead and collar, but there are many varieties of leads out there and also harnesses; which can be better with larger breeds. Make sure the lead is safe and secure and wont snap, and also is not too long that your furry friend can get away from you at a distance. When placing a collar on, ensure there is a gap between my neck and collar, about enough to put a couple of fingers between. A great idea to get me use to my new collar is to make me wear it all day around the house, once I'm use to it, you can leave it off.

The important thing to consider with walking your do is the pack mentality we have. It's all about being alpha, so is that you or is that your dog? To provide you with the status of top dog, you need to lead the walk, so start off right by leaving the house first and letting your dog follow you out. By letting a dog lead you in any capacity will lead the lil pup to think they are the alpha to your beta and try and take over your pleasant walk. The pack mentality will compel me to explore the area and also look out for danger, and the more I feel that I am the alpha the more tense and anxious I will be to ensure I am keeping you safe, and ergo, not enjoying of benefiting from my walk.

When out walking, choose a trick word to get me walk, my word is 'come', say it in a pleasant voice and spur me on, never drag me if I don't walk at first because this will only cause me to resent or fear walkies. Keep the length of the lead so I can heel to your ankles, like I said before, I should not be leading the walk because then I will be too preoccupied to benefit, keep talking to me and try not to stop too often, I may be naughty and try and jump at you and wrangle your legs with my lead, but persevere with discipline and verbal cues, and eventually you'll have a pup walking along happily alongside you.

Spatial awareness is very important to consider when out walking your pup, you must look out for hazards and potential dangers for my safety. The big one is roads, train me to stop at all roads, regardless of traffic conditions, and one thing my owner has taught me is when we are crossing a road she uses the word 'quick' to make me walk faster over it whilst picking up her own pace. Also be aware of other dogs being present when out on an adventure, most dogs you will meet will be friendly, but it is important to make sure first. Beware cyclists on paths (very dangerous if you ask me!) and also children, as their behaviour can be scary or exciting. Another thing to be alert to is litter on the streets, I have had many great finds removed from me as some things I find on the street are dangerous to me, so be vigilant to what your pup picks up along the way!

Walkies are an essential contribution to your poochy's health, it provides excellent exercise to keep me fit and all my joints get a good workout, it also provides mental stimulation that I may not receive whilst at home, it's a great way of interacting me with other people and dogs so I'm a nice sociable pup and best of all it provides a real good bonding experience between us. My owner loves going for walks with me and we walk about 3 miles everyday at least! I was a nightmare to walk first and it was frustrating but now I am a happy pup that skips along with my owner and love going on my many adventures with her!

Hope that helps with walkies! On my next Dexy Does... I shall be looking at the art of training stay. I have just mastered it myself to the point where I return to a specific spot when I have to stay in particular places, at this rate I'm going to need a doggie diploma! Tail wags for now!

Puppy Kisses and Love

Dexy Do Dah Dog

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