Hi again. I wanted to talk to you today about walking well with your pet. I’ve already spoken to you about the importance of the ID tag, but there is a lot more to walking your dog than you think.
Walking. It sounds so simple. And most of us do it on a daily basis.
But, we know that when it comes to walking your dog, a large number of you have, shall we say “challenges”.
Sometimes they pull, and sniff, and chase squirrels.
You like to walk straight.
Right.
Like any good relationship, walking your dog involves a bit of preparation, a bit of of compromise, and a bit of perseverance.
Here’s how you start:
1. Start out by finding the right collar and leash for our pooch.
You want a collar that is an appropriate width for size of your dog. You also want a leash that is easy for you to hold on to and handle. Retractable leashes are viewed by many as giving more control; however, they often do the opposite. If your leash isn’t locked, your dog may startle you by taking off after one of those squirrels I mentioned before. You should invest in a sturdy standard leash. You will have better control.
If your dog is a large dog, or one that pulls, you may wish to consider a harness.
I use the Sporn Harness for Diesel (that’s the harness, but not my dog) which has allowed for his walks to be led by my 8-year-old son who weighs approximately 40 pounds less than Diesel. If you have a puller, you really want to check this out. Saved my walks.
2.The next thing you are going to want to do is prepare your dog for the weather.
There is snow on the ground right now. Where there is snow, there is usually salt. You really have to protect your dog’s paws from the salt. There are a number of really easy ways to do that. Boots are a great option. Musher’s Secret or Muttluks Pawstick work really well too. Both of these products are a balm that you put on your dog’s paw pads prior to going outside. Cocotherapy is another great option as you can use that on paw pads too.
You also want to make certain you dog is protected from the wind and cold with a warm coat…especially if you have a toy breed or one without a thick coat.
Yes, it’s true that dogs and wolves have lived for a very long time without wearing coats; however, the breeds of today do not necessarily have the same type of fur coats their ancestors possessed. It’s safe to say that if you are anticipating spending time outdoors with your pet, you should consider investing in a warm winter coat.
3. Next, you’ll want to consider a portable water bottle.
Hydration is key…people normally equate the need during the warmer months; however, it is just as important in winter to stay hydrated.
4. Finally, the last thing you need to consider is poop bags.
Because, let’s face it, it’s just the right thing to do. Nothing puts a damper on a day like an unexpected pile of… well, you know.
I’m going to be showing you some really great options for all of the items I’ve mentioned over the next couple of posts. Feel free to stop by either of our stores and have a team member help you out if you need the information sooner.
Now you are ready to open the door and head out on your first of many walks.
