Walking your puppy is not only good for the pet, but also for the owner.
You have started to actively walk your puppy and you have already established a suitable regime for yourself. The areas around the house have been explored, your puppy has become a little stronger and more used to walking in the street, so it’s time to extend the times and routes of walks. But how to avoid harming this pepper? How not to overheat, not to overcool, not to tire the puppy with too much exertion?
Of course, the amount and duration of walks with your puppy depends on its age, the time of year of the breed and the weather. In wet weather, it is better to reduce the number of walks by taking the dog out only for “small errands”. It will not help if you cover your puppy with a fleece, especially for long-haired and dwarf puppies. However, it is not advisable to cancel walks for fear of a blizzard.
In the first place, without them, you will have to take longer to train your dog to do its business on the street. In addition, the puppy’s overall development will be slowed down. It is likely that A dog that is not used to walks beforehand will be uncomfortable on the streets for the rest of its life. The lack of exercise and the excitement of the season needs to be compensated by active games and activities at home.
Winter is not a barrier to walks either, but the dog needs to be active and playful to avoid freezing. Shivering, passivity and active paw pressure are an excuse to go home. If the size of the puppy allows it, it is better to take it out for a walk. Dog clothing is now available in all pet shops as it extends the length of walks for short-haired puppies. However, there is a fine line to be struck here: on the one hand, the dog should be warm and comfortable, on the other hand, the dog should not get hot when playing and running around.
Thus, woollen and knitted vests are perfect for active puppies, while more thoughtful and calm puppies will feel comfortable in overalls.
When walking in the city, remember that asphalt is treated with reagents that erode paw pads (and if licked, cause poisoning).). Dogs of all ages and breeds usually report it themselves: they yelp, press their paws together, and start to get distracted. Be aware, try to walk in clear snow or pick up your dog when crossing paved streets.
A responsible owner should always wipe their pet’s paws after a walk. It is, of course, easiest to get a small puppy used to this procedure. Even when it is dry and warm outside, you should always clean your dog’s paws to keep your home clean and to protect your pet from disease. In addition, a dog that is used to cleaning itself will be happy to give its paws to its owner.
If you haven’t cleaned your dog’s paws after your walks, do it the next day by pouring a little water in the bath (you can throw a toy in to cheer him up), put your dog in it and rinse all his paws with warm water, and don’t forget to give him a treat for his good behaviour. Special attention should be paid to genital hygiene (especially for male short-legged breeds). Be patients, don’t be angry with your dog for the care and pranks he has been given, this is the only way to enjoy his nice and calm behaviour in the future.
Taking your puppy outside in the summer when it is very hot can cause it to overheat. Short-haired dogs (pugs, pekingese, bulldogs, boxers, etc.) are particularly badly affected by heat. In this case, the issue should be taken quite seriously and the puppy should not be allowed to play in the sun. If the puppy sits or lies down, do not push it, but let it rest in the shade and take it home.
Puppies can get sunstroke very quickly and it can be tragic. Choose shady areas away from the city. Because of the threat of passing cars, it should be remembered that your dog is much smaller than you, which means it is closer to the ground and to the exhaust fumes. It is advisable to postpone walks in the city on a hot day until the early morning or cooler evening.
As the puppy grows, it becomes more confident and independent of its owner. It is no longer afraid to be left alone and run offa little further away from you, when I see something interesting.
Therefore, a few points should be mentioned that may put your four-legged pepper at risk:
Transportation in streets and yards;
Bicycles (which almost all dogs like to run after and risk getting under the wheels);
Poisons and waste thrown in;
Open holes;
Danger of getting lost if scared of something (noisy people, a big dog, a firecracker, etc.).
Therefore, only let your dog off the lead in quiet or fenced areas, away from roads and people. Always have sweets and toys with you so that your puppy is busy playing with you during the whole walk, so that it has no time for “bad” activities and harmful habits.
First of all, do not give new commands when starting to walk away from home. A new, unfamiliar environment with many different stimuli is enough of a strain on your little one. After 1-2 days, when your puppy has become familiar with the new place, choose a quiet corner and start doing things for himthe familiar exercises you used to do at home.
Call your puppy by name when he is interested in something but is near you (so that you can distract him with a treat or toy if necessary). As soon as he looks at you, sweetly say “Good! Cool!” and give him a treat or play with him.
To improve your puppy’s attitude, first call him to you and when he looks at you, say cheerfully “Come here!”. Show the puppy the treat or toy and start moving towards it; your task is to make the dog run to you, without looking anywhere. As soon as he runs away, give the little pupil a tasty “prize” and play with him actively. At the end, release him with the command “Walk!”. This will consolidate these skills in a new environment.
As a toy, you can use a variety of objects, whatever your little friend likes, from squeaky balls and rubber animals to special woven dog toys and rag dperch. Very handy toys with a cord: they can be tugged, bringing them to life in the dog’s eyes and making him want to play. Besides, the toy you buy is no better than a solid ‘sausage’ made by you – the most important thing is that it is fun and interesting for the two of them to play together.
It is also good to know that simply walking the dog is seen as man’s best tool for bonding and bonding even more with his pet. It is good to know that long and frequent outdoor exercise drains four-legged animals of their stored energy, so a few walks in the yard will not be enough. Therefore, not only do the dogs stay happy, but dog owners keep their pets in better physical shape than those who regularly go to sports clubs.