How Do You Walk with a Start-and-Stop Dog?
Saturday November 1, 2008
Reader Carol asks about how she can get in a good walk when her dog loves to stop and sniff constantly. Starts and stops can affect your walk if you can't keep your heart rate up by walking in place, etc. Can you give her any dog walking advice?
"I live in a city and my walking partner is Zoey, my mongrel. She has to walk on a leash on the sidewalk in consideration to other walkers. I try taking her to areas where there are more open spaces but still our law is strict as to letting dogs loose. She is a great companion and adores the walks but I feel she slows me down quite a bit as she is an avid and constant sniffer of everything in her path. Any advice, apart from not taking her along?"
"I live in a city and my walking partner is Zoey, my mongrel. She has to walk on a leash on the sidewalk in consideration to other walkers. I try taking her to areas where there are more open spaces but still our law is strict as to letting dogs loose. She is a great companion and adores the walks but I feel she slows me down quite a bit as she is an avid and constant sniffer of everything in her path. Any advice, apart from not taking her along?"
Comments
I have a sniffer, too, and what I usually do when I want to walk, not stroll, is to keep him on a short leash (sometimes with his harness on which gives me more control) so he can’t get his head down to sniff.
Also, keeping him moving at fast pace helps, too.
I totally agree with Alison. I think my dog would stop and sniff everything if I didn’t keep him on a short leash. I let him do his thing when I stop to stretch and give him water. I also keep him moving at a fast pace. Good luck on your future walks.
I walk my sniffer first, then go out by myself to get a workout in.
Try teaching the command “Heel” for times when you want the dog to move at your pace (head up, shortened leash). Then the dog knows what kind of pace you are doing for a particular walk–your pace (heel) or dog pace (no command). I think if you’re consistent, it will work.
My only walking time has to exercise both me and the dog. I don’t have the heart to refuse her the joy of sniffing. So when she stops to sniff I work-out in place. I jog or fast walk in place or do some moves from my “walk away the pounds” tapes. I tie her to my belt via her flexi, so a couple of times a week I can also do upper body / arm exercises when she stops. It’s interval training via the dog!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I’ve now worked it out for myself.
I go somewhere secluded, throw her some stones / sticks for about 10 minutes( she’s partly a Golden Retriever), and let her sniff around. She’s then ready to walk without too much sniffing and at a good pace, and everyone’s happy!