Keeping the walks fun!

When walking several dogs, it can sometimes be tricky keeping everyone entertained and making sure that they get the most out of their walk. Being more entertaining and engaging than the environment can be a real challenge, because after all, somebody’s got to keep those squirrels in check!

I always find a good chase game can get even the shyest of dogs engaged, especially if you throw in fun and random rewards to spice things up a bit.
It may sound silly, but a high voice can grab your dog’s attention much more successfully than a lower voice, so when running around with your dog be sure to encourage them with your “dog voice"!

Other things to keep your dog’s attention on you rather than on annoying a family with their picnic in the field, is to play hiding games. You can get out their favourite toy, hide it behind a tree or bush and then send your dog off to find it for you. If you act super excited and proud of them when they find it, they’ll be sure to want to repeat this game with you again!

It is important to allow dogs to be dogs as well though, so allowing dogs to splash about in puddles, greet other dogs, chase that squirrel away or just have a good sniff, is also something that dogs should be allowed to have time to do on their walks. Teaching them a release cue (such as “go on then!"), can control when you will allow your dog after that squirrel and when you won’t allow it, and it will also teach them to look back to you when they see something they want to go to. If they learn that you are the one who controls these actions, you can avoid times when you don’t want your dog heading off to something, say, for example, to the children playing ball.

Here is a fun small video of one of our walks, the terriers love a good chasing game!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtPebM-tZos

www.4pawswalkies.co.uk/