Do i need to walk my dog??

Do i need to walk my dog??

Of course you say…….dog’s are meant to go for walks.

But is this always true?

Pause for thought……..

What if they are scared, frightened or anxious on their walk for whatever reason, are they actually getting any enjoyment and stimulation from it?

Come to think of it, what are you, the owner getting out of it. On tender hooks, constantly looking over your shoulder to see if their is another dog coming, stranger or child getting ready to pat your dog.

One of my own dog’s  ‘Betty’ is what you may call a ‘non-walker’. Deaf from birth and has never been keen on walking.

I’m not sure why, but i’m sure it has something to do with her deafness and she feels more secure in the comforts of her own home.

I have lost count of how many people i have asked for help with Betty’s walking (or lack of it), she just puts the brakes on parks her bottom.

For nearly 8 years we  just had to make her go for a walk with us, which wasn’t enjoyable for me, her or my other dog Beryl. And yes it may be classed as being cruel, but if i didn’t take her for a walk she was so, so naughty at home.

This was until i was talking to a dog trainer, whom i didn’t know that well and got talking about Betty’s little annoying ways. He asked me the very questions at the top of this post.

From that day on wards, Betty has never been made to go for a walk if she didn’t want to go, instead she gets much more stimulation out of playing with her interactive toys in the security of her own home or garden. But when she does go out for a walk (which is maybe 2-3 times a week) she really enjoys it.

So thank you to that brilliant dog trainer…you know who you are.