January is National Walk Your Dog month. Walking is one of the best ways to provide the stimulation and exercise dogs need. While potential hazards can spoil your outings, there are several ways you can decrease risk of injury and keep walks safe and enjoyable.
Train
Training a dog is one of the most important measures of safety in many situations. Consult a certified trainer who uses humane, positive reinforcement methods.
Training your dog to walk well on a leash will make walks safer and more enjoyable for everyone. This takes patience, consistency, and lots of treats. Also teach your dog to follow basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and wait. Having good recall is imperative to protect against escapes and when confronted with something that distracts or excites your dog. Teaching your dog to respond to drop it and leave it commands can help avoid accidental ingestion of dangerous items.
Pay attention to surroundings
When walking your dog, your attention should be on your dog and your surroundings. This is not the time for scrolling, texting, or talking on the phone. If you stop to explore something or talk to a neighbor, keep an eye on what your dog is doing. It only takes a second for them to sniff, ingest, step on, or fall into something bad for them.
It’s also possible to encounter other animals on walks, depending on where you go. Pay attention to signs warning of wildlife, stay on trails, and keep your dog leashed. Research what to do if you meet with wildlife. Consider if a rattlesnake vaccine is appropriate.
Keep watch for unfamiliar, off-leash dogs and have a plan in case of confrontation. Familiarize yourself with canine body language and what defensive and offensive behavior can look like. Some obvious signs of aggression include leaning forward, lunging, growling or snarling, raised hackles, wrinkled snout, bared teeth, snapping, hard stare, and a head held high above shoulders.
If another dog approaches you, take measures as soon as you see it to prevent a negative interaction. Calmly walk away from the dog and keep your dog calm and in control. Move to put an object (car, tree, yourself) between your dog and the approaching dog. Command the dog “no,” “sit,” or “go home” in a firm, loud voice. Throw some treats on the ground for the dog to eat while you leave. According to trainer Mikell Bekker, the goal is to distract the other dog, pulling its attention away from yours. Read this article for more advice on how to prevent or stop a dog fight.
Don’t overdo it
Dogs will often keep going without complaint, even if it means overtaxing themselves. As with humans, dogs need to build up strength and endurance over time. Pushing dogs or allowing them to go beyond their fitness level too quickly can result in injury. Build up to long walks. Be consistent and routine with exercise. Avoid weekend warrior syndrome. Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s health before beginning an exercise routine.
Be mindful of weather and changing seasons
Weather and time change may impact enjoyment and safety during walks. A few adjustments can help. Avoid going out in extreme heat or cold. Take walks during the coolest and warmest times of day in summer and winter, respectively. Consider taking shorter walks, and playing inside on extremely hot or cold days.
During warmer months, paw pad burns are common occurrences. Protect your dog’s feet by testing pavement temperature with your hand for several seconds, walking in shaded areas, and walking on grass whenever possible. Use booties for short periods, as dogs sweat through their paws. Watch for signs of dangerous heatstroke. Brachycephalic or short nosed dog breeds are especially susceptible to heat distress.
In winter, use booties to protect from snow, ice, cold pavement, and ice-melt salts. Dress pets in sweaters or jackets. Especially susceptible to cold are the very young and very old, short-haired, small, or immunocompromised. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Wash ice-melt off fur and paws to avoid ingestion.
Seasonal time change may put usual walk times in the darkness. Walk in well-lit areas when possible. Otherwise, keep to familiar routes and terrain, and carry a flashlight.
Gear up
Improve safety during walks by using appropriate gear. In addition to dressing for weather, make sure harnesses, leashes, and collars are in good shape and fit well. Replace any torn or chewed items that could break or separate. Reflective or glow-in-the-dark pieces increase visibility in darkness.
Consider whether a harness is more appropriate than a collar for your dog. While collars have some benefits, studies have shown they pose risk of injury, even when fitted correctly. This is especially true for dogs that pull, are brachycephalic, or have thin necks.
Microchip your dog and keep registration current. Outfit them with current ID tags. Some owners opt for collars embroidered with their phone numbers in case ID tags fall off.
Always carry water, even when out for short walks. Carry healthy treats to help with training and to reinforce good behaviors. And don’t forget the waste bags.
Protective gear, such as citronella deterrent spray or an umbrella, can help if you encounter dogs or other animals that are aggressive.
Prevent parasites and disease
Parasites and disease can spread between dogs and other animals. This can happen through urine, feces, contaminated water, or direct contact. These include rabies, parvovirus, leptospirosis, distemper, kennel cough, adenovirus, influenza, and others.
Protect your dog by keeping current with core vaccinations. Discuss relevant lifestyle (optional) vaccines with a veterinarian. Prevent dogs from licking or eating feces and drinking from puddles and communal water sources. Have your dog tested yearly for Heartworm disease, and keep them on preventives year-round. Also keep your dog on flea and tick preventives.
Walks are good for dogs and their humans. They’re great for exercise, mental stimulation, and bonding time. Go prepared, stay mindful, and you and your dog can avoid potential harms and focus on enjoying the walks.
References
Becker M. Managing confrontation with an Off-Leash dog. Vetstreet. Published June 29, 2024. https://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/managing-confrontation-with-an-off-leash-dog
Carter A, McNally D, Roshier A. Canine collars: an investigation of collar type and the forces applied to a simulated neck model. Vet Rec. 2020;187(7):e52. doi:10.1136/vr.105681
Walsh S. Aggressive Behaviour in Dogs. Veterinary Ireland Journal. 2024;14(4):224-228. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a2h&AN=176643759&site=ehost-live