It’s Springtime! I think it’s safe to say that we are all overly grateful for the cold and blistery weather to be gone. This includes our pets, too. They get cabin fever and pent-up energy just like us. They also tend to put on a few pounds over the long winter months which happens quite easily when we can’t get outside on a regular basis.

So, now that the fresh and warmer weather is here, let’s talk about a few pointers to get Fido out of the house and make us all a bit healthier and more relaxed. We all know that a tired dog is a happy dog.

Most complaints about walking dogs revolves around them pulling their humans during the walk. If the question, “Who’s walking who?” is shouted out by your neighbors, please read on!

First and foremost, walking your dog on a harness is healthier and safer for any breed, but especially the short-faced breeds like the Boston Terrier, Pug, Boxer, or Bulldog. These types of breeds tend to have necks that are more susceptible to damage when they pull on their collars. Placing them in a well-fitted harness will be much better for them and will give you more control as well.

For those dogs who really pull (or maybe you want a very well-mannered walker) we suggest the SPORN harness. We have found this to be the best no-pull system and is more comfortable for the dogs compared to the Gentle Leader and more effective than the Easy Walk harness. The SPORN fits just like a regular harness but pulls up on the dogs’ armpits, which is a pressure point, when the dog pulls. It does not hurt the dog at all, but it makes it uncomfortable as they continue to pull. The great thing is that you don’t have to correct your dog. He will correct himself as he pulls and receives input from the SPORN harness .

This leads right into the type of leash to use. I strongly encourage the use of a standard leash instead of a retractable leash for two reasons.

1. Retractables can be very dangerous. They can snap back at you or your dog and can leave burn marks easily. This is especially important if children are walking the dog or if you are walking by a number of other animals (including other dogs, squirrels or rabbits).

2. If used to walking on a retractable leash, no dog will know his boundaries unless he pulls to find out where the leash ends. Sometimes it could be 2 feet, other times it’s a full 10. This actually encourages them to pull to test the limits of the day. It’s similar to kids asking Mom for a cookie.

   1. 1. Kid:“Can I?”

         Mom: “No.”

         Kid: “Please?”

         Mom: “No.”

         Kid: “Just one?”

         Mom: “Oh, alright…”

And the dog pulls again to finally find more length given. You get my point.

If you happen to walk more than one dog at a time, you may want to consider using a coupler. This allows you to hold only one leash handle, but walk two dogs close together, two dogs far apart, or two dogs of different sizes. Our customers who have used the coupler have raved about the quality of their walks after test driving it.

Another item that many customers have found useful is a leash that actually wraps around your waist, like the Roamer or Flat Out leash by Ruff Wear. This helps keep your hands free as well as assists with control when walking a puller. This is especially true for women, as their centers of gravity are located at their waist, compared to men’s which is higher.

One more item to take care of before going out for a stroll: Poop Bags. My advice is to beware of the little holes in the bottom of plastic grocery bags. Nothing says ruining a walk like a leaky pick-up bag! There are the regular plastic cylinder shaped bag holders that hold a roll of plastic bags. If you want a more fashionable way to carry the necessities, there are also bag carriers that look just like cute cell phone holders. Both attach to the top of the leash so they are out of the way but are always there when you need them.

The most important thing is to have fun. Walks need to be enjoyable for both you and your pup to want to continue and to make it a part of your healthy lifestyle.