Walking

[Kembe]

@kembe
My friend say that the "sniffing" the dogs do in their walk is "FACEBOOK FOR DOGS!" - lol

[Zande]

Mine never stop sniffing - watching Hoover quarter the ground always makes me laugh. I am lucky though, I drive to the forest, open the tail gate and out they jump. A short whistle and they change direction instantly. I like to vary the walks so we seldom go the same paths twice in the same week. Weekends I do hitch them as we approach the carpark cos they are over friendly and over curious and other cars might yield a treat ! But today, for example I let them run and and hide under the car out of the rain until I caught up and opened so they could jump in.

There is no way I could cope with them on a lead although they do both walk well without pulling if someone else takes them out. That will happen more often through July cos I am having total replacement hip surgery on 29th June !!! Once I can walk again, I could take them on the leash - but why bother ? They enjoy their freedom, get along fine with all the dogs we meet and with their humans.

In the past, I have used a 'gentle leader' on dogs who pulled on their way in to a show venue. They work very well - NOT a halti cos they can damage the dog. Gentle Leader - and I know you can get them in USA cos that is where I got the idea.

[DebraDownSouth]

@zande
Good luck on the hip replacement. Speedy recovery!

[abbyh]

I took him to a dog training class and asked the trainer about his behavior. He assured me that his "defensive mode" was just him being protective and curious. My dog is toy driven, so he advised me to distract him with a toy or pet him to let him know that everything is okay. Thank you guys for the comments! I have invested in a harness, and I've noticed that he seems to walk with more ease when wearing it. He still sniffs around (but from what I've read from the comments, it must be pretty common).

[Pawla]

@zande
Best wishes for a successful hip replacement and speedy recovery!!!

[DonC]

@zande Yes, good luck on the surgery. Here the results are excellent and it's now done as an outpatient procedure. Show up in the morning and you're home by noon. The surgery sounds scary -- and it is -- but the surgeons really have it down.

Note that the replacement part weighs more than the original, so don't fret if you gain a couple of pounds!

[Zande]

Thank you for all the good wishes ! Some local hospitals get you out the same day but they may have to control my rat poison intake (blood thinner - Warfarin (Coumadin ?)) Anyway I am hoping to be home after two nights maximum.

@donc said in Walking:

Note that the replacement part weighs more than the original, so don't fret if you gain a couple of pounds!

Bless you for giving me an excuse !

@abbyh said in Walking:

He still sniffs around (but from what I've read from the comments, it must be pretty common).

Absolutely, completely normal for dogs to sniff the ground, each other and their owner's breath - Just checking !

[RyanP]

@ktiefen1 Hello - would you please share the type of harness that the behaviorist recommended? I have two basenjis and they're hunting instinct for squirrels and cats is taking its toll on my shoulder and back. Thank you!

[Zande]

Gentle Leaders. Ideal for controlling the dogs without any risk they will get rubbed sore by any other form of 'harness'. The dogs don't pull on them and they can't be harmed (no fur rubbed off the shoulders and none of the restriction of a no-pull.

[DebraDownSouth]

@ryanp said in Walking:

@ktiefen1 Hello - would you please share the type of harness that the behaviorist recommended? I have two basenjis and they're hunting instinct for squirrels and cats is taking its toll on my shoulder and back. Thank you!

Behaviorists aren't in agreement on much of anything.

Gentle Leaders have a lot of fans, but I'm not one of them. I believe in going back to step one and teaching your dogs not to ever pull on the leash. If someone is disabled or for some reason really needs one, that's different. But training your dog is best. If I had to use one, I'd back it with a harness or collar, especially walking 2 dogs, since getting out of one might be easier.

Should add some DOGS need harnesses, not collars or head harnesses if they have neck injuries or even some eye issues. And even though I am not a big fan, they can provide more security. This article is from professionals and they prefer harnesses, as well as tell you how to choose:

https://activepet.co.uk/dog-harness/

Abstract
The effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) from dogs pulling against a collar or a harness was evaluated in 51 eyes of 26 dogs. The force each dog generated while pulling against a collar or a harness was measured. Intraocular pressure measurements were obtained during application of corresponding pressures via collars or harnesses. Intraocular pressure increased significantly from baseline when pressure was applied via a collar but not via a harness. Based on the results of the study, dogs with weak or thin corneas, glaucoma, or conditions for which an increase in IOP could be harmful should wear a harness instead of a collar, especially during exercise or activity.>>
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16611932

For harnesses, there are currently a lot of articles about research on harnesses, which work best with the least inhibition to natural movement. This is a great article on it for anyone on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/tierphysiotherapie-brigitte-jost/reflections-on-chest-harnesses/1369929759778331/