Walking a dog is very important for dogs. When walking, dogs greet their companions, and good socialization benefits their physical and mental health. Most dogs are very clean. Walking also solves dogs’ urination and defecation issues and provides exercise. What should be noted when walking a dog? How to walk a dog in winter?

What should be noted when walking a dog? Walking should be done daily. Small dogs are suited to 20~30 minutes of walking each day, medium-sized dogs need about 30~40 minutes daily, and if you have a large dog weighing over seventy or eighty pounds, then about an hour of walking is basically necessary every day.

What should be noted when walking a dog? Some owners are busy with work and do a lot of exercise during weekends off. Sudden large amounts of exercise can easily cause various discomforts for dogs due to their bodies not adapting, which can also cause injury.

What should be noted when walking a dog? Ticks are present all year round, especially in summer. Pet owners should check their dogs for ticks after returning home from walking and avoid grasslands and bushes as much as possible to prevent tick bites.

What should be noted when walking a dog? Safety is the premise of everything else, especially for elderly dog owners who must pay special attention. Wear shoes with good anti-slip performance, put a collar or harness on the dog, and avoid running fast with the dog on slippery surfaces.

How to walk a dog in winter? Pay attention to protecting dogs that are especially susceptible to cold

Some dogs are large and have long hair and are naturally cold-resistant breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, Huskies, or Samoyeds. Their cold resistance is stronger than short-haired small dogs. However, the following dogs are especially prone to catching cold: puppies under 6 months old; elderly dogs and dogs with arthritis, as low temperatures stiffen their joints causing pain when walking; dogs with diabetes, heart disease, endocrine disorders, or kidney disease because they have difficulty regulating body temperature; underweight dogs; short-haired dogs; and short-legged dogs, whose bodies easily contact snow while walking in snowy areas.

When dogs feel cold, they will whine, tremble, appear anxious, slow their pace, and look around. When these signs appear, please take the dog home quickly or carry it.

Some cold-sensitive dogs, such as Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers, are best dressed in clothes when going out. If they have a fixed place for urination and defecation at home, it is okay not to go out. Generally, dogs are not very afraid of the cold; short-term snow playing mostly doesn't require clothes. But if you plan to take them to play in the snow for an hour or so, and the dog is neither long-haired nor large, it’s better to dress them warmly. Dogs’ bellies are the most sensitive to cold. When making dog winter clothes, it is best to protect the belly, especially for short-legged dogs.

Do not use metal dog leashes for winter walks, as metal feels too cold. Also, avoid playing on ice surfaces during walks, especially unstable ice.

After snow, many small dangers on the road are hidden: broken glass, small metal scraps, and some pruned plants in winter can all cut dogs’ paws. Therefore, on snowy days, it’s better to walk familiar routes.

When taking dogs out to play in the snow, their paws may look clean but can be wet afterward. Even so, paws must be cleaned because government traffic departments often use salt or other chemicals on roads to melt snow. After returning home, wash your dog’s paws immediately. Also, be especially careful during snowy walks not to let your dog eat snow.

If the dog has long fur on its paws, be sure to clean out small ice particles after returning. These ice particles come from snow getting stuck in the fur, then when compacted form rather solid ice bits. If left to melt slowly between the toes, they may cause frostbite, and the dampness can cause itching between the toes. Simply wiping the paws and toes dry with a dry towel is generally enough to avoid this problem.