LIVESTOCK WORRIES
Dogs can find livestock exciting and may bark and pull to try to reach them. Some dogs may feel compelled to chase animals, such as sheep or horses, especially if they start to move away quickly when the dog appears, so make sure you keep your dog on a short lead. Giving your dog treats as you walk past farm animals will reward him for focusing on you, so trickle-feed your dog treats as you walk past any fields with livestock in. It’s a good idea to practise loose-lead walking, even in places where your dog is permitted off-lead, so he doesn’t become frustrated at suddenly needing to be placed on-lead during an enjoyable country walk. If your dog really struggles, then check where you’re going to be walking before you head out; if you can’t avoid farms, try to plan a different route.
POO PICKING
Always have plenty of poo bags with you when you are out on walks — it’s funny how dogs often go for a surprise poo when you’ve already used the two bags you had! Tying bags around the handle of your lead will enable you to see how many you’ve got, and top up as necessary. You can also purchase neoprene bags to store used poo bags until you find a bin; these attach to your belt. Alternatively, use an old Tupperware clip-lock box and carry used poo bags in your rucksack until you find a bin. It’s horrible to see them hanging in trees because people don’t want to carry them on a walk!
MEETS AND GREETS
The great outdoors is for everyone to enjoy, so be considerate of other dog owners as not all dogs want to interact with others. If you’ve got a friendly
TOP TIP!
When out on walks, always take a bag containing things your dog loves, such as favourite toys or tasty treats. This will help you to get his attention when other dogs are around. dog, who is likely to run up to other dogs, practise your recall, especially with distractions (this is where training classes are great because you can practise recalling your dog when there are other dogs present, in a very controlled way, so he always gets it right).
Always call your dog back to you for a fun game or some treats before he starts to run towards a strange dog; you have no way of knowing how the other dog might react, and this will keep them safe. Give other dogs a wide berth so you can share the space and concentrate on having fun with your dog.