Every dog owner has seen it at least once; you’re out for a steady walk and your pooch suddenly takes off after something in the distance! Dogs are easily distracted by almost anything at the best of times, but when they’re excited to be out walking this problem can get much worse. Even the most well-trained dogs can still sometimes be tempted by something they see or smell off in the distance, so we thought we’d pull together a list of things to look out for when you’re out walking your pooch and how you can keep them under control. Keep an eye out for these distractions and take the necessary steps to prevent your dog from darting off when you don’t want them to – it could save you a lot of problems!
How to Stop Your Dog from Getting Distracted on a Walk
Before looking at potential distractions, it’s useful to know that there are a few universal techniques you can use to get your dog’s attention back on you.
Training from an Early Age
Train your dogs to respond to your calls from an early age, with lots of treats and positive reinforcement for good behaviour! As you probably know, it’s a lot harder to train an older dog but it is still possible if you persist. Use simple commands that end on a short, hard sound like “leave it” and “let’s go” – dogs respond better to these harder sounds. Make sure you give your dog lots of fuss if they obey you so they’ve always got a reason to obey your commands.
Pay Attention to Them When You’re Out
If you aren’t paying attention to your dog, you shouldn’t expect them to pay attention to you in return. Dogs are social animals that love attention. If they aren’t getting that from you, they’re going to look for entertainment from other sources! While you’re on a walk, you should be constantly engaging with your dog, whether you play with them, talk to them, or stroke them.
Bring Treats
Make sure you bring lots of treats when you go out for a walk. This will help you build positive reinforcement and will encourage your dog to stay close by. Of course, you should be careful of overfeeding your dog, but a few treats here and there as a reward for good behaviour is a great way to ensure they keep up that good behaviour!
Distractions to Look Out for When Walking Your Dog
Fox Poo
Dogs love to roll in animal poo – especially fox poo – for the same reasons we find it disgusting; it’s really smelly! Why do dogs like to roll in foul-smelling things like this? There are a few different theories as to why this is (we even wrote an article about why dogs might like to roll in fox poo), but what they all boil down to is that your dog’s instinct is to find the strongest, most foul-smelling thing it can and roll in it!
Chances are, your dog’s keen sense of smell will detect the fox poo long before you’ll be able to spot it, so you should keep an eye out for your dog excitedly sniffing at a patch of ground. If you aren’t sure what your dog’s sniffing at, call them back to you. If you don’t, you’ll notice your dog drop their shoulder before joyfully flopping to the ground, ensuring they’re thoroughly covered in something nasty!
The problem with animal poo is that it’s incredibly difficult to clean out of your dog’s fur. Regular shampoo will keep your dog’s fur looking visibly clean but it won’t get rid of that lingering smell, so you’ll need our special Animal Poo Shampoo to break down foul odours in your dog’s coat.
Animals
Even though dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years, they still have some of the instincts of a wild predator. This means that they’re inclined to chase small animals that they spot or smell, even if they know they shouldn’t! When a dog spots a squirrel or a rabbit, they’ll freeze for a second and stand alert. Their ears will point up, their tail will stand straight, and their fur might bristle as they stare intently at their target.
If you notice this any of these signs, it’s important to try and get your dog’s attention to prevent them from darting off. This is especially true for smaller dogs who might be tempted to squeeze into animal burrows or other tight spaces. The best way to get your dog’s attention is to give them attention, so call their name, tempt them with treats, and be sure to reward them if they come to you.
People and Other Dogs
If your dog is easily distracted, it’s always a good idea to be on the lookout for other people when you’re out on a walk. Cyclists, runners, and especially other dogs are all likely to grab your dog’s attention! You don’t want your pooch to be too skittish or too excitable around other people and other dogs, so it’s best to try and train them to be calm around others from an early age. Watch out
Even well-trained dogs can get a little too excited from time to time, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for other people so you can call your dog over and clip on their lead if they aren’t already on it. If your dog is showing signs of being too excited – look out for raised heckles, a stiff tail, and growling or barking – you shouldn’t let your dog come into contact with another dog. Even if you know your dog can be trusted to behave, you can’t say the same for anyone else’s dog, so play it safe and keep your pooch on a tight leash until you’re well away from other dogs.
