http://dog-notes.blogspot.com/2010/03/two-different-kinds-of-walks.html

Just finished another blog...lol when I get an idea to write something I usually do so before I end up forgetting...so here's my latest article.

I decided to talk a little bit about two differently structered walks. One, which I labeled as the "dog walk", is where you take your dog out and let them sniff, run, and explore as much as they like. Very mentally and stimulating activity. The other, "owner's walk", focuses more on obedience and having a dog heeled and ignoring distractions. In the blog I outlined the benefits for both of them and why its important to hav a little of each.

Not sure if it makes sense to you guys, let me know...when I get an idea I usually jot down stuff and it may not even make sense.lol.

Hope you like it!

Yes! I agree completely! Let dogs be dogs at least part of the time! That's why we like them, right? because they ARE dogs! Lots of people respond negatively to me saying I let my dogs run off leash on hikes. I wouldn't even do it if 1) I had any problem with recall 2) they were likely to attack another off or on leash dog
They LOVE the sights, smells and sounds of the forest!!!
I have a huge yard for them to run and play in, but it's not the same. I would go stir crazy if I could never leave my yard without a leash on. They know it won't happen all the time, and maybe they do better on human walks because they get their own walks too.
Baloo isn't ready for an off leash walk, but I do have a long line that we use for tracking, and he can move around pretty freely with that. Grizz-Bang and Lib have been doing off leash hiking for years now.
The problems happen when people decide it's okay to let dogs off-leash without little or no control

good blog..... enjoyed reading that... especially the doggie Zen bit! must try those steps out on Lucy....will let you know how i get on.

Ann wrote:

Yes! I agree completely! Let dogs be dogs at least part of the time! That's why we like them, right? because they ARE dogs! Lots of people respond negatively to me saying I let my dogs run off leash on hikes. I wouldn't even do it if 1) I had any problem with recall 2) they were likely to attack another off or on leash dog

Yes, let dogs be dogs! Thats the expression I was looking for, and pretty much sums up the 'dog walks' part.

Ann wrote:

The problems happen when people decide it's okay to let dogs off-leash without little or no control

Agreed. Thats why I think a recall every now and then during the offleash walks is good. If the recall isn't well established or the dog has dog aggression problems I think it may be best to have a long lead instead.

lucysnewmum wrote:

good blog..... enjoyed reading that... especially the doggie Zen bit! must try those steps out on Lucy....will let you know how i get on.

Sure thing! If you want, you can note your progress on that thread itself

Good post!!!

Steven_L wrote:

lucysnewmum wrote:

good blog..... enjoyed reading that... especially the doggie Zen bit! must try those steps out on Lucy....will let you know how i get on.

Sure thing! If you want, you can note your progress on that thread itself

thanks!!!!

haha good read!
Definitely a fun blog to read! thanks!