As dog owners, socializing with your dog is just as important as exercising them. By engaging in group dog walks, you enable your pup to learn how to socialize outside your household.

Here are three ways group dog walks can socialize your four-legged friend. 

Meeting a variety of other dogs and humans

Your dog needs to meet a wide variety of dogs and humans. Group Dog Walks lets your pup meet other dogs in a controlled and safe environment and introduces them to various sizes. Other dogs can be beneficial to teach them proper behaviours and “manners” when walking.

Here are some tips to help socialize your dog while out on a walk:

• Follow cues from your dog, notice their body language
• When introducing to other humans, ask them to take it slow and get down to their level. This makes sure your dog is not intimidated
• Give them treats when performing friendly behaviour

Even though it is better to socialize your dog as a puppy, group dog walks work very well for older dogs. You need treats! After all, you can always teach an old dog new tricks.

Different Environments

When walking your dog, you expose them to a new environment, which means new smells. All those fire hydrants and tree trunks are full of the information left by other dogs. Allowing your dog sniff breaks is a great way to help your dog flex their brain and meet other animals “virtually.”

Here are three places to take your dog:

• Dog Parks: there are usually lots of dogs and humans to interact with.
• Parks and Paths: less busy than a dog park, and it is full of great places for your dog to stop and sniff
• Around Your Neighbourhood: Who better to meet with your dog than other friendly dogs and humans in your community

The best part of group walks is that a professional dog walker knows the area they walk in quite well and are comfortable with dog parks and paths. This is important because if you are uncomfortable, your dog will be too. If you are calm and collected, your dog will sense this and be less fearful.

Building Paws-itive Associations

One of the essential parts of socializing with your dog is building positive associations. Over time this will make your dog more comfortable with meeting new people and dogs. After behaving friendly, reward your dog with a treat. This will teach your dog to act nice and make it easier each time they meet new friends.

Group dog walks are a great way to socialize your dog. It provides them with a safe environment to meet other dogs and learn positive behaviours, and it teaches them friendly behaviours using repetition and consistency.

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Want to find out more about our dog walking services? Please send us a message at info@poochedyyc.ca.

About Pooched YYC

We are a Calgary-owned and operated dog walking company and love that we get to serve the dogs in our community. We focus on building a solid bond with the dogs in our care. Our services use love and trust, and we only use training methods that do not rely on fear or pain. On top of this, it also means we have treats!

Our professional dog walking services goal is to ensure exceptional care for your dogs and have the most fun possible with us. With over six years of experience, certifications in pet first aid, CPR, and dog behaviour, your dog will have an excellent time with us.