Having a pet is one of the most rewarding things that can happen to a person, there’s no doubt about it. If you conduct a survey of four-legged owners, the results will certainly confirm that for many of them, it’s hard to imagine life before their furry companions. And it cannot be otherwise – our dear dogs give us their sincere and unconditional love, loyalty and are always by our side, no matter what. Do you reciprocate your pet?
• You can only fall asleep peacefully when your dog is also nearby – comfortably seated in his bed.
• All of your family photos include your pet.
• You only go on vacation to places and hotels that accept dogs.
• You call the quadruped by diminutive names.
• When you travel without your dog, you stop at pet stores to buy him a “souvenir”.
• Your dog has his own account on one of the social networks.
• Pamper your pet with high quality accessories and fun additions such as bow ties or bandanas.
• You continue to see your puppy on Skype or Facetime when you are apart.
• You talk to your dog as if he were a person.
• Say words like “walk” or “dinner” only when it’s time to do specific activities so the dog doesn’t get too excited.
• You don’t mind curling up on one side of your bed while the animal lies contentedly on ¾ of it.
And in order to become an even more awesome owner in the eyes of your pet, we offer several ways to make dog walking more fun.
All dog owners know that they should take their pet outside at least twice a day, for at least 30 minutes. Sure,
we all have times when going out with our four-legged friend is far from our favorite activity. Doing the same thing every day inevitably gets boring, and the obligatory walk for your furry friend is no exception.
At the same time, however, we know that it is important to respect the animal’s daily routine. We have good news for you: there is a way to combine business with pleasure!
• Let your dog guide you
An easy way to diversify your furry friend’s walk is to let them decide where to go. Instead of following your standard route, let your pet follow the direction and guide you. Of course, in most cases the animal will probably follow the well-known path, but this game is a great way to give your furry friend a chance to show you what they’re interested in.
• Let your pet sniff
Walks are primarily physical exercise, but they’re also a great way to mentally stimulate your dog.
Since most four-legged friends are home all day while we’re at work, a walk is the only time of day when they have a chance to explore the outside world. If you don’t like stopping every two steps, schedule a few “sniffle breaks” during your ride.
• Go to a nearby park
If a walk around your own neighborhood seems boring and tedious, why not head to a nearby park? Exploring new paths, smells and noises can be unexpected fun for your pet, and for you too! You can meet new four-legged friends, which will have a good effect on the socialization of both of you.
• Invite a friend
When was the last time you invited a friend for a walk together? You will be surprised how much more fun and enjoyable a walk in the park can be if you communicate with a loved one in the meantime and share what happened to you “face to face” and not through social networks. As a bonus, the extra attention will make your pet happy too!
• Change tempo
What pace do you keep walking your dog? Are you a brisk walker, jogger, or a fan of slower, more enjoyable times outdoors? Try changing up your pace once in a while – it’s a really good and fun way to add variety where speed is key.
• Add training
Walking your dog is a good time to make things a little more fun by adding some quick exercises. You can repeat and reinforce basic commands – your pet has been proven to focus and keep their attention away more easily if they have already become tired.
• Get freebies as an incentive
You can try some fun games outside by bringing some of your furry friend’s favorite treats. Throw them in the grass and have fun together until the animal finds them. Activities that involve nose work sharpen your furry friend’s natural abilities and instincts. In this way, on the one hand, you make the time spent outdoors more pleasant and, on the other hand, you offer the animal additional mental stimulation.
• Set goals and make it a game
Decided you need a little more physical activity this week? Or do you think there are places in your neighborhood that for some reason you haven’t had the chance to visit with your pet yet? The objectives related to your dog’s daily walk can be very varied, the only rule is to stick to them and always note his progress!
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