It's no secret that Colorado is full of dogs and dog owners.
According to a 2017 special report by 24/7 Wallstreet.com, 42.5% of Coloradoans own dogs. That makes our fair state 13th among US States who 'love dogs the most.'
Along with that high number of dogs comes more dog traffic on streets, in parks, on hiking trails and elsewhere.
If you're in that 42% of dog owners, are you making any of the top 3 mistakes owners make when you take your dog out on walks?
Denver Dog Trainer Jennifer Hime says she and her training staff meet with around 300 dog owners a year who are struggling with their dogs on walks or out in public - and most are making the same 3 mistakes, over and over.
Read on to find out more...
Mistake #1: No Leash or Manners Training!
It's a common misconception that dogs just naturally know how to walk nicely with us on a leash, or behave in public.
However, Hime says, “Most dogs didn't receive an instruction manual on how to live in the human world when they were adopted from the shelter, or purchased from a breeder. It's our job to teach them what we want and need from them - at home and in public.”
Walking nicely without pulling, lunging, etc. can be a tall order for many dogs, especially if they've established a habit of bad leash manners.
Luckily, the trainers at Front Range K9 Academy can teach you and your dog the secret to great walks - and it begins with training the dog on 'how to take a walk,' instead of just snapping on a leash and expecting them to change their natural behaviors without any help or information from their humans.
Mistake #2: All Distractions & Cell Phones & No Engagement!
Along with a lack of information (in the form of training a dog to walk nicely on leash), the next big mistake owners make when taking their dogs out in public is a lack of staying connected and engaged with the dog, Hime says.
“Too often, we see people with their faces buried in their cell phones while they're taking the dog out for a walk - engaging socially with anything and anyone other than their dog!
Not only is this dangerous for you and your dog, as you could be taken by surprise by other walkers, cyclists, other dogs, etc., but if you're not present and in the moment and connected with your dog, he knows it.
And he won't be connected to you! Instead, he'll be sniffing every tree and bush, pulling on you, and possibly trying to engage with every passing dog or human.
Most dogs are very social. So, if you don't take the time to teach your dog how to walk nicely, and then work to maintain focus and engagement between each other on the walk, you've set yourselves up for failure.
Mistake #3: Stranger Danger!
The final, and possibly most concerning mistake Hime says owners make when out walking their dogs is giving in to social pressure and introducing their dogs to too many new dogs or people.
“Owners hear all the time about how important 'socialization' is...but too often, they don't actually know what that means.”
When trainers and behaviorists speak of socialization, they mean exposure to sights, sounds, scents, and yes - dogs and people.
But they recommend introductions between dogs and people that your dog will actually have long term relationships with - not every stranger on your walk.
Hime says, “After all, humans are social creatures too, but that doesn't mean you'd be comfortable having to interact with every single person at the grocery store, right?”
She recommends skipping the “He's friendly!” introductions with strangers, and concentrating on keeping your dog focused and engaged with you on walks - and allowing for introductions and play time with dogs and people you know are well behaved and that your dog will meet up with regularly.
Imagine having the dog you’ve always wanted! The dog who walks nicely on leash, comes when called, doesn’t jump on people, and is great out in public and at home.
The trainers at Front Range K9 would love to help you and your dog have your best life together.
Limited time offer: Book a FREE Temperament Test and Initial Training Session ($125 value)
