1. Use a fixed-length leash.
If using a collar and harness,
the dog’s leash should be clipped to both. This is a technique used by many
responsible dog walkers because it offers a safety factor insomuch as the leash
is attached at two points, some even use two leashes in case one fails. This
may be considered a bit of a drag, but just think, it is far less of a drag
than losing your dog.
Should you have a fear that
your dog may bite, or that your dog may eat garbage then it is important to
purchase a muzzle. Many of us do not like to muzzle our dogs, but unfortunately
our city streets may very well be places where the unexpected could occur and
dogs which are afraid are far more likely to bite. If you feel that there is
even the slightest possibility that your dog may bite another dog or person
whilst being walked on the street, or even if you are worried that your dog may
ingest cigarette buts or the like, then a muzzle is an absolute must-have.
You will know just how
stressed you might feel when attempting to navigate your way down 6th
Avenue at lunchtime. Just try and think about how your dog is feeling trying
to undertake the same at ankle level. To try to minimise the stress when
walking your dog, choose walks along walkways that are as exposed as possible.
There are just so many situations that can occur on city streets that might
possibly startle a dog, many of which we are unable to control. The simplest
thing you can try and do is to attempt to determine what is going to be the
calmest route to take.
It is always generally better
to walk your dog on the building side of the sideway, as opposed to the curb
side, for if your dog does manage to get loose, it will hopefully give you a
better chance of being able to get hold of him again, before it rushes into the
traffic.
5.
Always ask your dog to “sit” at the curb.
Your dog may have a variety of
cues for “sit”. One may just be the word “sit”, one may be a had signal and one
most certainly needs to be a visual environmental cue. Every time when arriving
at the curb, cue your dog to sit (use a food treat if needed, or no matter what
is needed, get them to sit). Then you can reward with a food treat if
needed when starting out, or once the
sit at the curb is mastered, the reward can be the chance to stand up and keep on walking when you say “Okay.” With
sufficient repetition, your dog will connect the curb with the act of sitting
and it will no longer be a behavior that you will have to ask for. The objective
here is that if your dog takes the chance to cross a street off-leash, it will
first sit at the curb and await your signal to go again.
6.
Carry treats.
When owning a dog, it’s not
just a case of training your dog to conduct themselves correctly on the
streets, you will find that you have to train people as well to behave
correctly. Some people would never allow just anyone reach out and touch their
dog saying, “would you allow just anyone touch a baby?” That may appear
somewhat severe and I would like my dog to have the ability to socialize with
people. But, I would like my dog to have the opportunity to socialize with
people. However, I do believe that people today perform a wide range of
inappropriate things whenever they greet an unfamiliar dog on the streets. They
frequently get into a dog’s face, which is intrusive, or try to pick them up,
both of which could be dangerous and most certainly is irritating to the dog.
These people also squeal and kiss neither of these in the “dog world” is seen
as a polite action. An easy way to politely prevent these types of interactions
is whenever someone displays an interest in your dog, is to give them a treat
that your dog likes and suggest that they offer it to your dog. It should
be offered without your dog having to sit or do anything to receive it. They
are just being rewarded for good
behaviour when co-existing with a stranger. This will assist in building a good
interaction with that particular type of person, be they a boisterous child or
a man with a walking cane, and it will allow the person a safe way to connect
with your dog.
7. Communicate with others on the street before letting them or their dog interact
with yours.
Dog’s don’t talk, but we can.
So just before you allow your dog greet another dog check with the owner if their
dog is friendly towards other dogs. Unfortunately, that with a number of dogs
on the street, safe leash meeting with other dogs just is not safe. Fortunately, that does not apply to everybody, but for safety just ask.
When meeting just ask if it is
alright if my dog says Hi to your dog. If the owner says “NO” it’s most likely
that they are watching out for their’ s and your dog’s safety. That type of
person is just being sensible.
Similarly, a lot of dogs just
don’t wish to be stroked by strangers. The easiest way to judge if a situation is
safe or not is to just simply thank people when they ask “May I pet your dog?”
This behaviour by people should be rewarded, and by so doing more people will
do it, and by so doing we will all be rewarded by building a world where we
keep our dogs safe on city streets.