Dog walking offers excellent exercise and stress relief for pet owners and their furry friends, but a simple stroll can be pleasant or positively perilous. Scary street crossings, stranger dangers, and pugnacious pooches can ruin a sweet stroll.
How can dog walkers keep themselves and their canine charges safe and secure during these outdoor excursions? A few simple, but essential, safeguards can help make this pleasing form of pet exercise more trouble-free for everyone. Some of these steps may seem like common sense for dog lovers, but they are often overlooked.
1. Dress for the part.
This sounds simple in theory, but far too many dog walkers don't practice safety in this area. Comfortable, non-restricting, weather-appropriate wear is essential for humans strolling with dogs outdoors. Athletic-type shoes are a must, as dog walkers never know when they may have to stand their ground firmly or run to keep up with an overexcited pet.
For night walks, light-colored reflective outerwear can be a lifesaver.
2. Gear up for action.
Each dog must wear a securely fitting dog collar, equipped with current rabies and identification tags. A sturdy leash keeps the pet in check for the walk. Many experienced dog walkers swear by retractable leashes for extra control.
A lightweight flashlight offers extra visibility and security for dog walking before dawn or after dusk.
3. Choose the right path.
Safety-minded dog walkers choose familiar, well-traveled routes and avoid late-night strolls whenever possible. Heavily wooded or secluded areas and neighborhoods known to be particularly dangerous are not suitable for solo dog walkers.
Smart and social pet owners often team up to walk their dogs together for added safety and enjoyment.
Choosing a safe path for dog walking also means watching one's steps along the way. Caring pet owners look out for broken glass or other debris that might injure a pet's paws.
4. Step out with street smarts.
Dog walkers are safest when they pay attention to traffic, such as motorized vehicles and bicyclists. In most communities, pedestrians in roadways must walk against the flow of traffic, unlike bikes. If possible, those walking pets may choose to stroll on sidewalks or on road shoulders, rather than actual thoroughfares.
Even if pedestrians have the legal right of way on the street, it pays to pay attention and to step out of the way, if motorists don't yield. Who wants to be right in a crunch?
5. Respect personal space.
Dog lovers may enjoy being up close and personal with other people's pets, but many folks do not. For safety's sake, as well as common courtesy, it's important to keep a walking dog on a short leash when others are nearby. It's also prudent to maintain a safe distance from unfamiliar dogs, who may turn aggressive at the sight of another canine.
Of course, one final guideline is in order. To avoid polluting and offending others, pet owners are generally expected to pick up after their own dogs. Most dog walkers carry plastic baggies in their pockets for this purpose. No one wants to step in a doggy land mine about town.
These practical personal and pet safety steps can make your dog walk a pleasurable and positive experience, rather than a potentially dangerous one.
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