How To Walk Your Puppy 101

Suppose it’s your first morning with a new furry companion, and you decide to go on a walk with him. Suddenly, he gets attracted to a statue and starts pulling you in that direction. In such a case, if you are unable to maintain control on the dog leash, your pup might start running on the road that can lead to accidents. To avoid such scenarios, it is extremely crucial to train your canine to walk on commands. That’s why we have explained essential tips to start your puppy’s walk training and achieve the best pet parent’s first goal.

Select Appropriate Location

Location and its environment have a significant influence on the dogs. Make sure to select a place where your puppy can walk on soil and connect to the natural atmosphere. Furthermore, it is crucial that you do not often change the location as it can distress your new learner canine. You should also avoid an area that is crowded with people, as everyone would not love to make delightful contact with your furry friend.

Fix Walk Schedule

The next tip for a successful puppy walk session is to fix the schedule according to your dog’s excretion timelines. Most veterinary doctors recommend going for a walk session in the morning and night once your puppy consumes his meal. Furthermore, it is best to remain accurate with the timetable as an imbalance in the timings of walking sessions can lead to poor gut health of your canine. You can also take your pup outdoors for playing in the evening, but that does not count as a walk session. 

Select a Quality Dog Harness

It is advised to buy a good quality collar and harness for your pet according to the breed and age. Most leashes are shorter in length, which helps you to maintain a lesser distance between you and your pet. Besides, you should get a fabric-made collar and canine belt so that it does not cause skin rashes on your hands or your pet’s neck. You can also find stainless steel dog harnesses on the market, but they are not suitable for puppies since they are manufactured to control large-sized and aggressive canine breeds.

Train With Treats

According to professional trainers, most canines take seven to ten days to learn any new activity. So do not shout or show anger towards your puppy if he does not follow your commands while going on a walk. Instead, be patient and give him a praising pat with his favorite treats, even for a small step towards victory. This way, your dog will not develop aggressive behavior but learn essential skills for being a good pet. 

How to handle your puppy when encountered by street animals?

Let’s consider that your canine has now started following your commands and learned how to walk on a lead. But your training is not yet completed, there will be instances when other street animals encounter your puppy. Make sure to always carry a stick to have control of the situation and avoid a tussle between your dog and stray animals. Try to calm down your pup and do not hit any animal. Slowly walk with your canine away from the herd, and do not look back once you pass them.

Animals have a unique sense of interacting with each other. Once your dog regularly visits the same location, the local animals will also get familiar with your pet and not perceive him as a danger to their territory. Hence, after some time, you will not have to worry about the dangerous battles of your canine with other creatures.

Why is vaccination crucial before introducing your puppy to an external environment?

Before you expose your puppy to the external environment, make sure to visit a veterinary clinic and get him fully vaccinated. Since the dogs have a habit of sniffing various substances and soil in order to explore the location, they tend to inhale harmful microbes that can cause dangerous diseases. Besides, if your puppy bites anyone or gets bitten by other stray dogs, pre-vaccination of the pup helps in the faster recovery of both canine and the attacked human.