Take your dog for a walk and create a lifelong bond

By Karen A. Soukiasian

We receive many calls from dog owners complaining their dogs have not bonded with them.

The first question we ask is, ‘How often do you walk your dog?” The most popular reply, ‘We have a fenced in backyard. He goes out there when he has to.”

OK…so there is your answer. YOU are the problem!

If you don’t want to spend the time with your dog that THEY need, why would you expect them to want to waste their time, but emotions and energy bonding with you?

To create a bond with your dog, it’s a mutual give and take of time, energy and emotion.

You have to pay out, to get back. You have to make an effort, and put in the time. During that time, you establish a bond and strengthen your Alpha position.

Leadership walk

Walking your dog at least twice a day helps to form the bond you are seeking. That does not mean “comfort stop” walking. That means LEADERSHIP WALKING. There is a difference.

During LEADERSHIP WALKS, your dog does not get to mark their territory or sniff every leaf or blade of grass they pass. They stay at your side, focusing on you and the walk.

Lots of Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Obedience classes start with a LEADERSHIP WALK. It gets owner and dog in sync before training. It is an essential lesson to teach the owner how to walk their dog correctly. It instructs them on the proper way to keep their dog under control and heeling at their side.

Correctly walking your dog is not rocket science, yet some owners are clueless on the technique. You have to agree; it is comical to watch so many owners jogging behind their dog, looking up their ancestors. Then you have the ones carrying or dragging them when their dog sits down and does the stubborn mule thing!

LEADERSHIP WALKING is the key, to establishing a remarkable bond with your dog. It is quality time spent together. Dogs look forward to and respond amazingly well when it is done correctly. During those walks, your dog learns to follow your lead. You set the pace. You decide where you are going. You choose when it starts and when it ends. You are the leader of your pack!

Talk to your dog

Talk to your dog during your LEADERSHIP WALKS. Praise, praise, praise them! Let them know how pleased you are when they are calmly walking at your side. They won’t know unless you tell them. Nearly all dogs want nothing more than to please “the boss.” They learn through association and repetition. Positive reinforcement of appropriate behavior encourages your dog to repeat that behavior. You can never praise them too much!

Keep the walks interesting. Switch locations. Walk with others when possible. The distractions are a great way to keep your dog under control and focused on you.

Let your dog know when you are pleased with their behavior. Enroll in a Puppy Kindergarten or Obedience class.

Join a dog-walking club near you. They are a fantastic way to socialize your dog, plus get helpful tips from other dog owners.

Spending time doing fun things together, will create the bond you are seeking.

Bottom line

Go on a LEADERSHIP WALK at least twice a day with your dog, for a minimum of 20-30 minutes each time. Keep them under control and at your side. Most importantly, talk to your dog. Let them know you are proud of them. Within a week, you will see a difference, and feel the bond you are seeking.

Follow Karen A. Soukiasian on Facebook

Save

Save