National Dog Walking Month
January is National Dog Walking month, and to celebrate, WeatherBeeta is offering FREE SHIPPING on Dog Coats. Shop here.
Every dog loves heading out for a walk, it stimulates them both mentally and physically. We wanted to share some handy Do’s and Don’ts for when you are out walking with your four-legged friends.
1. Do make sure your dog has an ID tag
Every dog should wear a collar with a tag that displays the owner's name and address. Wearing ID will ensure you're quickly reunited if your dog wanders off.
2. Do walk your dog at least once a day
Exercise is vital for dogs. Even if you have a large yard, you should take your dog out to experience different sights, sounds and smells. Dogs can get bored of their surroundings, but walking is great stimulation for their senses. Walking is also the best way to reduce anxiety and destructiveness - if you're heading out and leaving your pooch at home, take them for a quick stroll first.
3. Don't push your dog too far
Different breeds have different exercise requirements. Very young and old animals will also need less walking. As a general rule of thumb, puppies need about five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day. So, a four-month-old puppy will need about 20 minutes of exercise twice a day.
4. Do pick up after your dog
Even if you're in the countryside, it's good 'petiquette' to pick up your dog's poo. Be sure to carry plenty of poo bags, and make sure your pet is wormed regularly.
5. Don't put up with pulling
Walking your dog should be a pleasure for both you and your pooch. But if your dog pulls on the lead, it can feel like a battle. A lead attached to a flat collar can also cause severe throat and neck problems in dogs, leading to expensive vet fees. There are leads and harnesses available to help combat this problem.
6. Do get your dog insured
While you may take every precaution to keep your dog safe, you never know what's around the corner. A good pet insurance policy will cover vet bills if your dog becomes ill or gets injured, and also pay for damage caused by your dog to other people or property.
7. Don't let your dog worry sheep and cattle
When you come across farm animals and horses, you must keep your dog under control. It's a good idea to keep your dog on a short lead around livestock.
8. Do carry water with you
Even on a short walk, your dog can get thirsty. Make sure they have access to a clean water supply during the walk.
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