Walk your Dog with ease

For your dog, walking is extremely important as mental and social stimulation. Even a dog that has the opportunity to go out in the yard or garden needs the new sensations of a walk. But what is to be considered as owner?

For a puppy or a dog that has never worn a collar or harness before, it is a disturbing foreign body at first. It is therefore advisable to get the dog used to the collar/harness before the first walk, with lots of praise and treats at home. A longer wearing can help with the habituation, but keep an eye on your furry friend! Especially harnesses are chewed quickly in an unobserved moment and by that removed. Good breeders usually practice the wearing of collar and harness with their puppies. 

Now it's time for the next step and your darling gets on the leash - so arm yourself with treats and off you go! Right at the beginning it is important that you do not pull your dog around on the leash - but it is also just as important that he does not pull you around. Talk to your dog and encourage him to walk with you. If he does so, he will get a treat from you. If your dog remains seated and does not move from the spot, he is probably insecure and overwhelmed with the situation. In this case give your dog some time and try to lure him to you just a little bit. As soon as he moves a little, praise him with voice and treats. If he does not move at all, it is recommended to find a quieter place for this exercise. If he tries to bite into the line, take the line out of his mouth with a firm but calm "no". When he follows this order and drops the line, he gets a treat. Now try again to encourage him to follow you. If your dog just goes for it without even a thought for you, stop, talk to him, change direction and when your dog reaches you, it's time for treats again. It is important that the contact to your dog never breaks off, that he orientates himself on you and that you reward this desired behaviour as often as possible.

The duration of the walk depends on numerous factors. Some breeds need more exercise than others, young dogs have more need for exercise than older ones - each dog has its own condition. When you observe your pet, you can recognise signs of over-tiredness and avoid walking too long distances. At least 15 minutes are recommended to activate the circulation.  Especially with puppies it is important to pay attention to the appropriate length of the walk. Their bones are still soft and should therefore not be exposed to long and heavy strain. Rather take several short walks per day. With adult dogs 2-3 walkers a day are the rule.

For a dog there is nothing more beautiful than to discover the world in free running. The better your dog listens to you, the more freedom you can give him. If you want to let your dog run without a leash, it is essential that he is available in every situation. An uncontrolled free-running dog can be a danger for himself and others, for example by running in front of a car or bicycle. Hunting game is also an absolute taboo and can lead to serious consequences. Please also note that not every dog wants to have contact with everyone, be it because he is incompatible, sick, old or in heat. Be considerate of others, call your dog to you and leash him or let him run beside you, so that you can pass the other dogs without contact.

The duties of a dog owner are decided by the federal state, municipality or local authority and can therefore vary greatly. In most German cities there is an obligation to leash the dog in public places. In southern Germany there is no leash obligation in the forest, but in the north it exists continuously or at least while the forest animals have offspring. Dog owners are obliged in almost all federal states to remove the legacies of their four-legged friends. To inform oneself about the "walking-in regulations" on site can prevent fines.