Walk Your Dog Day

Walk your dog day is coming up February 22^nd! Of course, for many people, every day is Walk Your Dog Day. However, this is a great time to go over some safety tips for walking your canine pal … and offer a few hacks! Here, a Helotes, TX vet discusses walking your dog.

Training

Make sure your canine companion knows basic commands, like Sit, Stay, Come, Heel, and Lay Down. If he ever jerks the leash out of your hands, you want to be able to call him back!

Gear

When walking your pup, wear boots or shoes with a good tread. You don’t want to slip or turn an ankle! Your dog should have a sturdy but comfortable collar or harness and a good leash. Retractable leashes can be great, but they aren’t right for every situation. There’s always the chance that the mechanism could jam. This isn’t a big deal if you’re alone in a field, but it can be very dangerous if you’re on a busy road or in an area with other dogs.

Terrain

Keep an eye on the ground as you are walking your furry friend. Be on the lookout for things like broken glass, foxtail awns, and, of course, snakes. Steer your pooch away from these hazards!

Safety

Always put safety first. When walking on the side of a road, keep your pet to the outside. He’s shorter, and won’t be as easy for drivers to spot. Also, don’t let him get ahead of you when crossing driveways or intersections. If you like to listen to music or podcasts while you’re out, keep the volume down low enough for you to hear what’s happening around you. It’s important to be aware of things like horns beeping, people yelling, or brakes squealing.

Tips

We recommend designating one jacket or bag for dog walking. Keep it stocked with anything you may need, such as spare keys, a phone charger, a flashlight, treats, and waste baggies. That way, you don’t have to rush around collecting various objects. You may also want to clip a carabiner onto your pet’s leash, so you can tie him to a fence or tree if you need to stop for a minute. Just don’t leave your pooch unattended!

Please contact us, your Helotes, TX vet clinic, for all of your pup’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!