4 Common Mistakes When Walking Your Dog

1 Four Common Dog-Walking Mistakes

1. Walking without a leash. Many owners think their dog is smart, gentle and timid and would never bite, so a leash is unnecessary. But no owner can fully know a dog’s mind or be certain it won’t bump into a passerby. A timid dog startles easily; a sudden car horn could send it rushing into a crowd or traffic, with dire consequences. And dogs are playful — spot a cat and yours may chase it and get lost. So a leash protects both other people and your dog.

2. Walking in high heat. A little sun helps a dog make vitamin D, supports bone growth and disinfects the coat, lowering skin-disease risk. But dogs must not sunbathe in high temperatures, or they easily suffer heatstroke or sunburn. Walk in the morning or evening when it is cooler and the UV is weaker. On unusually hot days, give only a short morning session and walk around 7–8 in the evening.

3. Letting the dog run ahead. Many owners let the dog pick the route and walk in front, but that is the dog walking the person. To a dog, walking ahead signals higher rank than the owner, so it may start ignoring and disobeying you. Keep the dog at your side or behind to build good habits and avoid later trouble.

4. Letting the dog into grass and bushes. Occasional bush play releases instinct and clearly makes a dog happy. But bushes hide parasite eggs, and the biggest threat is ticks. Ticks attach to the skin, suck blood and easily spread blood-borne diseases, seriously endangering health. So reduce how often the dog plays in grass, and deworm and bathe it regularly to avoid painful external-parasite infestations.

These are some common dog-walking mistakes. First-time owners are bound to slip up now and then, but correcting them promptly keeps your dog from more harm. If you have other walking questions, feel free to share and discuss.