The Importance Of Walking And Behaviour Training For Dogs

Walking your dog is an activity that can seem to take most of your time and effort. Most of us have little free time and we want our dog to get the most out of the walk.

For your dog however, walks are one of the most enriching activities they can do. They allow dogs to do many things they need, such as exploration, playtime and social contact.

In this article I will give you the same dog walking advice I give to my clients when they come to see me if their dog has a behaviour issue. Even though the problem may not be associated with their walks, I have met very few families who know how to walk their dog properly as nobody has ever explained it to them. This dog walking advice is taken from my experience and knowledge both in my professional and my personal life.

Dog Walking Tip #1 – Having The Essentials

Firstly, you need to have the essentials: a 2-meter-long leash (if you have a small dog you will need the same long leash but with a small carabiner), a dog harness and a small bag with some food treats.

Dog Walking Tip #2 – Plan Your Route

Secondly, you need to know when you should go out and where. Places crowded with people as well as dogs are not recommended. They are too stimulating and they may make your dog feel nervous and unwilling to explore. Instead, choose quiet places with as much nature as possible. The ideal walk would be off-leash in the mountains, though this is not always possible!

Dog Walking Tip #3 – Allow Your Dog To ‘Sniff’

Thirdly when it comes to behaviour training for dogs, be aware that you are going out to let your dog “sniff”. The sense of smell is the dog’s most developed sense and they use it to relate with their environment. 

You should not just allow them to sniff but you should also encourage them to do this. This means the walks will be full of stops, but that is how they should be, letting them sniff whatever smells they find interesting. Some dogs find sniffing difficult so we can offer them some searching exercises to encourage them.

Dog Walking Tip #4 – Communicate With Your Dog

Fourth, you should ask yourself if there is any type of communication between your dog and you during the walk. To find out, check if your dog is looking at you from time to time and not only when you stop. See if they understand your words. 

Personally I do not like giving cues to dogs all the time while we are walking together. I find it stressful for me and for them too, so I try to train them to be independent and know how to behave for themselves. That means they will stop when I stop, they won’t jump up at anybody or on any other dogs and they will not pull on the leash. However, there are some occasions when I need them to move on or to ignore something that is happening around us. In these cases I use the cues “move on” and “go”.

“Move on” means that we must keep walking, that we cannot stop because we do not have the time or because there is something that is either not good or dangerous for them. The cue must be given before we start walking so they will come to understand its meaning.

The other cue is “go”. It means that we must move quickly either because there is a dog barking at them or because there is something we should avoid. In order for dogs to understand the meaning, I say “go, go, go” as we walk faster. If you meet anyone or any animal who you would like to say “hello” to, you can use the cue “look who is here”.

Getting The Most Out Of Behaviour Training For Dogs

To conclude my dog walking advice, we can say that we should not pay attention to how far we go or how many kilometres we walk with our dog. Instead, we should pay attention to our dog's quality of life, the quality of the walk and how the two of you are connected.

If you have a dog who enjoys playing with other dogs, make arrangements so they can spend time together, but do not forget that exploring and quality walks are also important for your dog to have a balanced life.

Has our Happy Dog Expert’s tips on how to walk your dog inspired you to learn more? You can find all our Happy Dog Experts’ guides here! Or why not get in touch directly? We’d love to hear about your situation and discuss what we can do to help. You can also stay informed with our FAQs and get latest tips and advice by signing up to our newsletter.