Hey Woofa’s,

It’s nice to get out and about and go for a walk with your dog.

Admittedly, we haven’t been out recently because our weather is all over the place.

I’m not a fan of walking when it’s cold.

Anyway, when it is nice outside and we go for a walk with Billy, I’m present in the moment.

Billy is walking and sometimes stops for an extra sniff or a marking wee, but he’s taking in the environment around him.

And so am I.

I’m watching him enjoying his walk, I’m taking in the beauty of the day, the warmth of the sun, the colour of the sky  AND more importantly I’m watching for potential dangers.

I.E I’m watching for any dogs that may be off lead.  This is common in our area so I’m on the look out.

Even though we walk Billy in areas that require a lead there’s still people who let their dogs OFF LEAD, ffs!

What I’m also noticing more and more while we’re out walking is how many people are walking their dogs but have their heads down looking at their phone.

Not paying any attention to what’s going on around them.

This can be a dangerous thing to do!

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION WHILE OUT WALKING YOUR DOG?

Here are some reasons why it’s important to pay attention while you’re out walking your dog.

1. You’re not watching what our dog is doing!

Your dog may be on the end of a lead, but are you aware of your dog’s behavoiour?

Your dog might be eating something that’s not good for them?

Has your dog noticed another animal and is about to pounce pulling you over, or getting out of their lead or harness?

Is your dog getting ready to run across the road?

If you’re not paying attention to what your dog is doing how can you re-direct their behaviour?

2. You’re not watching where you are going!

If you’re too busy on your phone while you’re out walking your dog, how can you be aware of where you are walking?

Your dog might be about to walk through glass, bindis, on the road, or anything gross or dangerous that they shouldn’t.

Have you checked to make sure the ground they’re about to walk on isn’t too hot?

Are you paying attention to where YOU ARE walking?

3. Your dog could walk right  into the path of danger!

If you’re out walking in the bush with your dog and you’re not paying attention, your dog could walk into the path of a snake.

This happened to a customer of mine, her dog was on a longer lead and it walked right into the path of a death adder and was bitten!!!!

The dog had to be rushed to an emergency facility and thousands of dollars later thankfully the dog made it.

4. If your dog is off lead/leash and you’re not paying attention!

This is a pet peeve of mine.  When people have their dog off lead but aren’t watching what their dog is doing.

Whether at a dog park, dog beach or somewhere where the dogs aren’t meant to be off lead/leash and the owner isn’t paying any attention to what the dog is doing.

Your dog could be about to run on the road, run up to a dog that is on a lead but doesn’t take nicely to another dog bounding up to them and who will retaliate, or run up to a Kangaroo and risk being drowned, step on a snake…………….there’s plenty of scenarios that could happen.

There’s every possibility your dog could end up in danger if you’re not paying attention.

5. You’re not connecting with your dog!

When you’re out walking your dog your energy travels down the lead to your dog.

Dogs are great at picking up on our energy, they know us better than we know ourselves most of the time.

If you’re not paying attention while you’re out walking your dog you’re not engaging with them.

You’re not connecting with them and enjoying the walk with them.

6. You miss your dog’s cues!

While out walking your dog, your dog will send you cues as to what they’re about to do.

Or they will constantly look up at you for direction, as in which way to go, or whether they’re doing the right thing or not.

If you’re too busy on your phone, you’ll miss these cues and your dog won’t know what to do.

Our dogs need direction from us, if we’re not present enough to give it to them then they’ll do what they want.

It’s only when your dog is misbehaving that they will get the attention from you, albeit you’ll probably be telling them off but it’s attention!!

7. If your dog does a poo!

If you’re not paying attention while out walking your dog, you’re missing their toilet cues.

And you’re not stopping to do the right thing and pick up your dog’s poo!!!

8. If you’re not paying attention, who is walking who?

If you’re not bothered in paying attention while walking your dog who is actually walking who?

Your dog will take the lead and just go wherever they want to go.

This is not showing your dog that you are engaged in their walk.

We all seem so tuned into social media that some of us have forgotten how to actually be social!!!

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

While you’re out walking your dog you need to be paying attention.

Pay attention to your dog AND to the environment around you in which you are walking!

It’s not hard, put the phone in your pocket and engage with your dog while you’re out walking.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – IF YOU ARE ENGAGED WITH YOUR DOG WHILE YOU’RE OUT WALKING?