Parks Versus Pavements

When you walk your dog, how much planning goes into your route? We understand that many dogs have a favoured walk, perhaps a familiar one that is close to your home, or a trail that is full of exciting scents. Dogs, like people, can become bored and less excited about things over time, so spice up your walks every now and then for your canine friend to keep him youthful and interested; we’ve brought together some tips on how best to walk your dog.

What to do and where to go

Try sticking to parks or fields every once in a while. While we understand that a majority of dog owners live in more urban settings these days, the concrete and tarmac ground can be very wearing on a dogs paws; throw in the possibility of smashed glass and debris from roads, construction sites etc. and your dog may end up with sore feet very quickly. Forests, woods or fields are fantastic for your dog, and the undergrowth provides them with something to sniff and root about in while the ground is easy on their feet.

With forests and woods come more opportunities to play, as well. You can let your dog off the lead (when it is safe to do so) and play hide and seek, or chase games, and there will be an abundance of sticks to throw for fetch. If you have a day to spend, why not plan a route that will be easy-going and good on the dog paws, take a picnic along (with plenty of doggy treats, of course) and make a day of the walk. Take a camera, a ball and plenty of water, and make the most of the outdoor sun with your animal friends.

If your dog is a strong swimmer, you could map a route that either is alongside a canal, or perhaps goes around a lake or river mouth. Many dog breeds love to play in water, and there can be nothing more cooling on a hot summers day than a nice dip and splashing about. You should take precautions, as dogs that drink too much salty water can end up with upset stomachs, so try to train your dog not to drink salt water.

If you’ve not got the time to plan a large route, but prefer to give your dog multiple short walks in a day, you can change the route from time to time, or walk different trails in order to keep things fresh. This course of action depends entirely on your local area, but by asking your dog-walking neighbours or looking on Google maps or a similar program, you should be able to find a number of local walks to suit your pet.

Longer routes, taken once a week or fortnight, can be a great way to maintain a decent level of fitness for you and your dog. Walking a canal route, or around a lake, or even a set route through a forest is a fantastic way to explore nature and see wildlife you may otherwise miss in the city. Don’t forget that walks along the beach can be therapeutic as well; you should always check if a beach is dog friendly before walking.

Remember to check out the local laws and rules on littering and dog mess, especially when visiting an unfamiliar stretch of land or even another country. Fines may vary from region to region, and you do not want to be stung for being careless – always pick up after your dog, and keep the countryside clean; you wouldn’t enjoy the walk if the route was covered in rubbish, so don’t act in a way that would promote this kind of behaviour.

When you return home from a long walk, it is pertinent to check your pet over before letting them take a well-deserved rest. It can be all too easy for your pet to pick up a parasite along any walk, so sit the dog down while you check over the legs, neck and head for all the usual spots ticks end up in. Give your dog plenty of strokes and treats while doing this – they’ll love the attention! Also, pay note to the dogs paws, as foreign material that gets stuck between pads can irritate your dog, causing excessive licking which can lead to a fungal infection.

To make the most of your summer, take the time to treat your dog to plenty of long walks in the sunshine, but make sure you keep your dog safe by keeping the leash at the ready whenever you are near roads or other, unfriendly dogs.

Avoid high vet bills by covering yourself with pet insurance. Animal Friends Insurance offers a wide range of comprehensive cover, so to get a quote phone us on 0844 55 70 300 or email info@animalfriends.co.uk and ask how we can help your animal friend today.