Should you walk your dog on- or off-leash?
It’s good for your dog to walk with some discipline, either heeling or at least not pulling on their leash. But I wouldn’t be a holistic vet worth my salt if I didn’t tell you that most dogs would also love to be able to run freely for part of the walk-time, and some absolutely require it. Ah, the joys of being unencumbered by a leash and able to go about your business unfettered! Whether or not your friend is able to ramble off-leash in an unfenced area is certainly determined by how much you can trust them to return to you when you ask. When in doubt, opt for a fenced-in area. If you would like their parameters to change…think about some training!
TRY THIS: Take a breath…..exhale. Now breathe in through your nose. What smells can you discern? Your nose has 5 million scent receptors, and your dog’s nose can have up to 300 million. Wow! That’s a good reminder not to neglect their sniffing time.
When I check in with the dogs, the most important item they all bring up is being given the time to take a sniffing tour. Of course, some breeds such as the Hound and the Terrier will have a preference for this type of walk. Across the board, every dog wants to do some sniffing, so our dog friends ask us to realize this is expected and build it into the walk/hike time. This is not only a time of entertainment and information gathering for them, it is a time when you, as their companion get to slow down and be in the moment with them. This (being in the moment) is their ultimate gift to us.
Shine on,
Dr. Laurel
Read more:
Read the first part of this article: Top Ten Ways to Connect with Your Dog #1: Take a Hike!
Understanding a Dog’s Sense of Smell
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/understanding-a-dogs-sense-of-smell.html
Does my dog really need daily walks?
http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/03/living/dog-daily-walks-mnn/index.html
