by Pat Gray

Created on: February 27, 2008

Dogs love to walk. Seeing new things, smelling new smells, marking territory and meeting new friends, human and animal, could easily fill most dogs' daily planners, seven days a week. In the ideal world, they would roam at our sides, free of leash and collar, running ahead to something interesting or lingering behind to leave a calling card.

However, this is NOT an ideal world, and when we're walking our dogs, we need to keep their safety, our safety and the safety of our fellow walkers in mind at all times.

The Right Equipment
Experts walk their dogs on a four or six foot leather leash, and use a collar that gives them the level of control over their dog that they need. Training collars (let's not call them choke collars, because that's NOT what they are meant to do) are loose when the dog is walking properly, and tighten to prevent the dog slipping out and escaping. Prong collars give an added measure of control and a buckle collar would suffice for the reliable plodder.

Although many people are dead-set against prong and chain training collars, they are useful tools to help you keep your dog safe. If you do your training, your dog will walk on a loose leash without having to use a 'harsh' collar and without any undue force on your part.

Personally, I dislike extendable leashes (with a minor passion) - the unruly dog can quickly get out of control, and injure themselves and others. If these leashes suffer a lot of hard use, they wear out quickly and may break just when you need control the most. If you want to give your dog more freedom, use a long line (an equestrian lunge line is perfect), but only in wide open spaces. And be sure to work on a reliable recall, so they will come back when you need them to, on leash or off.

Bolting Out the Door
The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step - that step is out your front door. Start your journey safely and don't let your dog jump on or bolt out the door. Use the "Wait" command when you open the door and close the door promptly if they attempt to charge. Not only will this set the tone for walks, your dog will learn to wait quietly by the door when you are preparing for you walk, greeting guests or talking to Jehovah Witnesses.

Walk at Heel Or on a Loose Leash
If you are going to walk your dog in public, your dog should have some basic walking manners. Obedience trainers like the dog so many inches from the knee and so many degrees behind, which may be the standard for the show ring, but isn't really necessary

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