<p>All dogs need to be taken on daily walks . Daily walking is  really vital for keeping your dog mentally stable . This is because dogs are  ’walkers’ by instinct . In the wild, dogs walk great distances – it’s what  they’re programmed for as a daily  routine . You could think of walking as the dog’s whole reason for being – it’s their job . So,  it is actually not very kind of you not to take your dog for a long daily walk every single day . If we love our dogs , we owe it to them  to deliver on their daily need for a good, long dog walk  . Deprive  your dog of the walks they need , and they  soon start having personality problems .

It doesn’t matter so much what method you are using to  take your dog out for a walk . Some people like to  keep themselves fit more strenuously by  running or trotting alongside of  their dog, riding their bikes , or even roller-blading if your dog is  sprightly enough to  cope with the pace . 

 What is really important however is how you walk your dog . You should be walking your dog, not letting your dog take you for a walk. Your dog  wants to feel that you are in charge . Don’t let your dog  charge ahead of you , but  keep alongside you or bring up the rear . Dogs are more relaxed when they know you are in  in the charge of the walking situation . If your dog is  trying to charge ahead and you are dragging along behind , it’s time to  rethink the way you go about dog walking. 

 The act of walking out front of your dog is all it takes to let your dog know that you are in charge now. When your dog knows that you are  the one in control , it can relax and get on with enjoying the walk. Having no ‘leader’ causes your dog to feel stressed. This stress is often mistaken for excitement. Dogs should not be overly-excited about going for a walk. Dogs should feel relaxed about  going out for a walk , as it is the most normal thing  on the planet for a dog to  engage in  .

If your dog gets over-excited about  starting out on a walk ,  begin  playing it down  before you leave home . Many dog owners make the  fundamental error of announcing to the dog that they are going for a walk as if it’s a tremendously exciting or  unusual thing to do . This hyping-up in advance of  what’s about to happen actually puts your dog in the wrong frame of mind to begin with . Get your dog’s  mind into the right frame by treating the walking routine as something  ordinary and ho-hum .  Make your dog stay put and remain calm while you put on  his collar and lead or harness .

Don’t let your dog  bolt through the front door once the leash is on . Make him  remain inside , until you are  out the door . Only then  permit your dog to come  with you outside . Once you set off on your walk , keep the dog  reined in effectively to make sure that he heels at your side or keeps behind you . It takes discipline at first , but soon you and your dog will get used to the idea of you being ‘boss of the walk’ , and both of you will become more relaxed in the process .

 Many dog owners have neither the time or energy to take their dog walking every single day of the week . For  those who  have tremendously busy lives or are  housebound due to disability or illness , a professional dog walker is a great way to ensure your dog’s  healthy state of mind and physical fitness . In most  locations you’ll find dog walking services  on-hand to help keep up the daily  moral obligation of walking your dog .

If you can’t  find a professional dog walking service , you may have a friend or neighbour who  would offer to take your dog for walks  free-of-charge . If this is an option for you, be sure to teach the volunteer how to take proper control of the dog during their walk . Remember they must  under no circumstances  allow the dog  charge ahead or pull forward on the leash during the walk, but always keep the dog alongside or behind .

Daily dog walking is  absolutely necessary for your dog to stay  fit, calm and non-neurotic. Remember these tips and your daily dog walks will  increase your stamina and keep your dog mentally and physically in top shape , and keep your dog’s view of your relationship in the right perspective .