Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly  Here's some thoughts I've kind of gathered over the years from books, trainers, dog handlers, farmers, ranchers, military, vets, breeders, etc. who have worked years with dogs and what they often say about the walk. If you want to read and consider this, it might help how we look at our dogs out walking and what goes on.
Dogs usually use their nose to gather interesting information and news about what critters are in the area they consider their territory so naturally they want to stop to "read the news", kind of like you check Facebook, Twitter, email, newspapers and TV news. How frustrating if someone kept jumping in front of your eyes or clucking at you every time you try to do that or lose patience with you. That's how our dogs feel when we won't let them freely exercise their natural canine instincts at times and just let them be dogs for a bit of the walk. Is it always convenient or serve our purposes? NO! But it shouldn't all be about us and what we like to have them do on walks or make walks into just something we do to get out and stretch our legs and them relieve themselves.
Many dog "experts" think if we really want to have a happier and more satisfied dog, we will cut them a bit of slack on part of their walk just to be dogs and sniff that territory out in the big world to see who and what has been around. Of course we may not can do that every time though we should really try but when we can give them a chance to get out in the big world and sniff, it is good for them to be indulged in this. And then we can end it when we must.
When you've given them 10 or 15 minutes of doggie time to be a canine, then get on with the real brisk part of the walk and work on the "heel" or however you prefer teaching your dog to walk and get on about business. Still and all, being a dog, a powerful scent may come along in the brisk part of the walk and they might want to stop a bit but if the dog's been given some good sniffing time, correct/encourage them to keep on walking so that you can get through the brisk part of the walk and exercise period, teaching them that they had their sniff time, now we should get our good exercise in and keep going. Thinking of how your dog sees the world and what their wants and needs are out walking can help keep both of you from feeling so frustrated if you both get your needs met during the walk. Sounds like you are working on training and such, which, if you keep it encouraging, fun, positive and rewarding for dogs, they usually grow to love that time working with you. I hope you keep working in that way with your little sweet dog. |