STRUCTURING THE WALK – ACTIVITY ONE: THE WARM UP

Central to their mental wellbeing, happiness and physical health, it is important that we think about how we can help our dogs to get the most out of the precious time they have exercising outside of our homes.

In order to make the most of our walks, help to keep our dogs free of injury, and promote good physical and mental wellbeing, I believe we should apply the same principles to our dog’s walk as we would an exercise session for ourselves.

As a result, I would always recommend that ‘activity one’ of your walk is a ‘warm up’. This helps to get the muscles ready for the more vigorous main activity that may follow.

Naturally, dogs in the wild ‘migrate’ through their territories and to find prey. Although our pet dogs are far removed from their wild ancestors, they still possess some similar traits and needs. As dog owners, we can replicate this act of migration with our pet dogs through simply walking or jogging with our dogs by our sides at the start of their walk.

Some breeds may be better designed for the act of migration and more like their wild ancestors than others, so tailor your chosen activity to suit your dog’s individual needs. For example, a young husky may be more adept at jogging as we have selectively bred for this behaviour and the pulling of sleds. At the other end of the spectrum, a small dog such as a shitzu may require just a gentle stroll to warm them up.

Whatever activity you choose, use this time to connect with your dog and enjoy the fresh air!

Look out for ‘activity two’ in my next video and let me know if you try any of my tips out!

Dog-ease Training & Behaviour

Disclaimer: All training is attempted at the owner’s risk and Adem Fehmi accepts no liability for any injuries to pets or owners sustained during training. If your dog is showing signs of a behavioural issue please seek professional advice.

STRUCTURING THE WALK – ACTIVITY ONE: THE WARM UP

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