Taking the dog for a walk is a basic part of a dog owner’s life. As more people flock to urban environments and smaller living spaces with no fenced yards, walks become a necessity. Often, urban dogs get trained on leash faster because they are taken on walks multiple times a day.
This is a positive trend. Fenced yards can be great for homeowners with dogs, as they give dogs the ability to run and play at their own pace, in a safe area, no transportation needed. They can be a godsend to owners of multiple dogs.
But far too often, dogs who live in homes with fenced yards miss out on a basic activity that helps provide exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization to the world: the leash walk. It’s easy to think your dogs don’t need to be leash walked if you have a fenced yard, but it’s inaccurate. Most dogs need walks, too.
Walks take the dog out of his natural environment and stimulate his senses in a way that the backyard cannot. Training the dog to walk nicely on leash provides even more mental stimulation, as it allows the human to control the walk and the dog must think about his behavior. Walks provide nice “pack time,” and no two walks are the same. Even if you take the same path around the neighborhood each time, and you don’t notice anything new, the dog does. He is taking in so much information through his nose that he notices the tiniest differences. Every walk is new exploration for him, and works his mental muscles.
Walks get human and dog moving. Movement stimulates relaxation and relief from stress. Even dogs who get plenty of exercise in the yard need walks. Don’t neglect this necessary activity, as it is good for you both.
Puppies under four months don’t need much, if any structure on walks. Let them explore and sniff and investigate. At the four-month mark, their pulling instincts will kick in and they will need to learn to walk without tension on the leash. Structure will help at this time. Keep control of the walk, but allow the dog chances to be a dog.
NOTE: some dogs are very timid or over-reactive to the environment on walks. Some dogs are hyper alert to other dogs or moving objects or people. Walking these types of dogs isn’t usually fun, or even safe, without professional help. The Atlanta Humane Society’s Training Department can help teach you how to walk your dog correctly, give you advice and help on the best tools and methods, and help you make this activity one you and your dog will both enjoy. For help contact training@atlantahumane.org.
