Dog Lovers – Are You Walking Your Dog Wrong?

If your dog goes to the bathroom in under five minutes, you might consider it a successful walk.  But have you actually been walking your dog wrong this whole time?  According to the head of PETA, it might be true. Her main critique? Stop RUSHING them!

Here are four tips to make trips outside better for your dog:

1.  Realize what a big deal it is for them.  Going for a walk is a major event for a dog, especially if you don't have a yard.  So stop thinking of it as something you have to do, and think of it as something they look forward to.  For them, it's more than a bathroom break, it's an excursion.

2.  Give them more time to sniff stuff.  You don't have to let them smell the same tree for 20 minutes,  but don't constantly yank them along with you.  Believe it or not, sniffing things is actually your dog's way of reading the news.

3.  Be more involved, not so distracted.  Dogs are smarter than we realize, and they can sense when you're not truly present with them.  So don't stare at your phone the whole time.  Try to be more involved in their walks.

4.  Stop walking them with just a leash and collar.  A harness is better and won't hurt their neck as much.  Especially when they lunge at stuff.

And if you're wanting to adopt a dog to love, and love you back unconditionally - check out the NSPCA