Company of Animals

How can dog walking help with dog behavior problems?

Dog behavior problems

Dog walking (AKA “Walkies”), for most dogs, is a favorite time of day. They get to explore, learn, socialize and be with you! However, sometimes your daily walks can be the catalyst for new and naughty quirks and even dangerous dog behavior problems. Here’s 10 top dog walking tips from our experts to help stop bad habits from forming.

  1. Vary your dog walking routines

    Having a variety of different places to go will stop boredom, keep your dog engaged and ultimately, more alert on you and where you are.

  2. Have a good balance of socialization and walking alone

    Socializing with other dogs is great but think about what your dog is learning too; if you let your dog run off to other dogs to play then be prepared, he is more likely to be the victim of aggression, no matter how friendly they are! Equally if their walks are predominantly spent chasing squirrels then don’t be surprised if their recall is poor in future.

  3. Use mental stimulation to help with any dog behavior problems you may be having

    If you frequently have to use exercise as a means of improving your dog’s behavior, consider providing higher levels of mental stimulation instead. This should be in the form of games and training alongside a more moderate exercise regime. 

  4. Practice dog training on your walks

    Puppy or dog training classes are great, but all dog training needs to continue in situ. This means you can use your walks to implement and practice skills no matter the age of your pooch. If they can respond to commands despite distraction, you can bask in that success!

  5. Play games with balls in moderation

    Ball chasing is great fun but like most things, it’s better in moderation. Dogs can actually get addicted to ball chasing and this will lead to your dog stealing other dog’s balls and toys and even ruining children’s games.

  6. Recall training is vital!

    Recall training is possibly the most vital training you can do, and recall is the most important command your dog can learn and so your rewards need to reflect this. Remember to use a recall line in the early days and try not to only put your dog on the lead at the very end of a walk as this may create issues with recall in the future.

  7. Alternatives to recall

    If you struggle with recall training with your dog, you may want to consider running or cycling instead.

  8. Be the center of your dog’s attention

    Make sure to be the center of your dog’s attention by harnessing their natural instincts and likes such as chase games, scent games, hide and seek or even doggie parkour!

  9. Use food to keep your dog’s brain busy

    Remember that food doesn’t have to be delivered to your dog in their bowl. Disperse their daily calories and keep their brain busy by bringing food on your walks to reward good behavior and interrupt the naughty things. Slow feeders also make an excellent way of keeping your pooch stimulated between walks with the rest of their food for the day.

  10. Speak to a dog Behavior Consultant

    If your dog is being aggressive or is very nervous with other dogs or people – seek help from a dog behavior specialist early on (your vet can advise on this).

For further dog walking tips or dog behavior tips, see our blog page for more information.

Fiona Whelan ~ Pet Behaviourist

Fiona has been working at the Training and Behaviour Centre as a behaviour specialist since 2002, and previously ran her own training and behaviour establishment in Lincolnshire for seven years so has a wealth of experience as a behaviour counsellor.