As we have mentioned on other occasions, daily exercise is essential for the well-being of our dogs. There are many benefits that it brings them the walk, both physical and psychological, and these intensify when their owners enjoy this activity at the same level as them. Here are some tips for this.
1. Choose the right collar and leash. It is key to find the ideal accessories for our pet, which allow us to control it well and not cause damage. In the market we find an infinity of options that will make the dog feel comfortable; otherwise, neither of you will be able to enjoy the walk.
2. Control the activity. The dog must know that we are the ones who decide when the walk begins, where we are going and when we return home. It is about finding a balance between the freedom of the animal and our roles as a leader. For this it is important that we teach him to walk with us, without jerks, respecting our orders. And that we never let him loose if it is not in a closed space specially conditioned for this purpose.
3. Socialize. Some dogs have difficulty socializing with other dogs or people, either due to fear, bad experiences or other causes. The best thing to do when these behavior problems exist is to go to a professional trainer; he will know how to tell us what to do to solve it.
4. Plan a schedule. You have to choose the best time for the ride. The ideal is to walk three times a day: one first thing in the morning (to allow the dog to stretch the muscles), another 20 minutes after eating (it promotes digestion) and another before going to sleep (to help him reconcile his dream). However, we can slightly change this schedule depending on the weather conditions, avoiding the hottest hours in summer and taking advantage of them in winter.
5. Bring the necessary accessories. It is advisable to prepare a small bag or backpack with everything we may need during the walk. For example, special plastic bags to collect excrement, as well as a bottle of fresh water, especially in summer.