Walking

WALKING RATES

WHY HIRE A DOG WALKER

Gone are the days where dogs were relegated to their place in the backyard as a simple family pet. We now know that dogs require exercise, socialization, and that they need to use their brains to be the healthy, happy, well adjusted family members we want them to be.

Many people do not know how many behaviour problems are tied to a lack of exercise. When our pooches are bored and under exercised, they find things to entertain and occupy themselves. Unfortunately these things are often not in keeping with what we view as acceptable behaviour, such as barking, chewing, digging etc.

The old adage “A tired dog is a good dog” is absolutely true. If your dog has had a good romp that day, and ran out all their “yah hoo’s” they’ll be much happier to quietly and contently lie sleeping waiting for you to get home from work.

Unfortunately, this knowledge is tied to a time where we are busier than ever. Our work lives are hectic, and many of us struggle everyday to find a balance between our work lives and home lives, leaving us exhausted and burnt out at the end of every workday.

2) SOCIALIZATION

Dogs are pack animals. They learn from the people and animals around them. They learn appropriate dog behaviour, they learn appropriate human rules, and they learn how to fit in to the family, all from simply spending time with other dogs and with people.

Many people also do not realize how much of a mental exercise learning can be for dogs. When I dog uses it’s brain, they grow and develop, and tire themselves out! Because the dog walks take place in a few different locations, there are constantly new stimuli to challenge and interest your dogs.

An under-socialized dog can have a wave of behaviour problems, from being overly fearful (of everything!), to being aggressive. It is our job to provide that socialization for our dogs, to help them learn what is right and wrong, in a caring, loving, patient way. Properly socializing our dogs goes a long way to teaching them and to helping them become the healthy, happy, well adjusted family members we want them to be.

WHY OFFLEASH

Imagine trying to do your most favourite thing in the world…but only being allowed to do it for a second at a time, and then being brought up short by a leash! Have you ever watched your dog when they are offleash? They zig zag here and there, nose to the ground, exploring all the scents and sounds and sights in every direction seemingly at once. All of a sudden they crouch down, look around and then they’re off…ZOOMIES!!! Running in circles, the pure joy of simply being able to run free written all over their faces.

Also, interestingly enough, many dogs don’t have as many issues and problems, and are actually BETTER behaved offleash, than onleash. If you think about it, all of our insecurities, and fears and frustrations and drama go straight down the leash to the very sensitive creatures on the other end. Is it any wonder they seem more relaxed and better behaved when they aren’t being fed that constant stream?

Dog’s behave very differently when they are alone, as to when they are with a group of other dogs. Packs of dogs stick together and want to be where the action is, which is where the other dogs are! Its very hard to wrestle and play when you’re constantly being entangled by a leash.

But, as always, safety first! The trails and parks that I hike in are fairly remote, and in the middle of the workday are also fairly deserted. This means that your furkids have the chance to be offleash in a safe, secure environment, far from busy roads and lots of people.