it’s time to think about what your new life will look like together. One way to build and strengthen your bond with your pup is to establish a daily routine. Dogs thrive on having schedules and some predictability in their day. Having a schedule can also help new dog owners make sure that their fur baby’s needs are being met on a daily basis. However, every dog is unique so there isn’t a standard schedule for daily care that works for all dogs. You will also need to consider your own lifestyle and be honest about what you can consistently provide for your pup. It is important to understand basic dog walking safety tips, figuring out what works best for both you and your dog and building a regular schedule that you can maintain in the long run.
Dog Daily Routines Every Dog Owner Should Consider
The first step towards building a schedule is to establish the individual needs of your dog. Your dog’s health, age, level of socialization and breed should all determine what sort of schedule you need. For example, a senior dog and puppy schedule will require more potty breaks as they need to relieve themselves more frequently than an adult dog. A puppy would also require more basic obedience and house training than an adult or senior dog. Regardless of the age of your dog, you should be mindful to schedule a potty break throughout the day and space them appropriately to prevent accidents and ensure the health and wellbeing of your dog. As for the length of walks, it might be best to have longer walks in the early mornings or late in the evenings if you have the time. Those times of day are usually cooler and ideal for the summer months. If your dog is leash reactive then these times might be tweaked so that you are walking your dog when there are fewer triggers on the street. For instance, some dogs are not comfortable around children so it might be best to not walk your dog when school is out and children are around who can accidentally have a run in with your dog.
A feeding schedule is another important factor to consider. Most dogs should eat twice a day, roughly 12 hours apart, while some younger and/or smaller pups might need lunch to keep their metabolism in balance. Little snacks are OK too, so long as they don’t become excessive or are rewarding poor behavior. Mealtimes should be spaced out appropriately so that pups aren’t too hungry in between meals and so they don’t have to “hold it” too long in between potty breaks outside. Another factor to consider is that very young puppies will need to go to the bathroom shortly after eating, or else you’ll be gifted with a little “surprise” on your carpet. You will also need to consider timing the meals around walks and playtime. Feeding your dog right before bed or any intense exercise should be avoided. If dinner is too close to bedtime, your dog might need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Meals before exercise or play can lead to bloat for certain breeds, especially deep chested large dogs. Bloat is a very serious medical condition that is oftentimes fatal for pups and often requires immediate surgical intervention. You should consult your veterinarian about a meal plan to make sure you keep your pup happy, healthy and satiated. One’s home can also be a factor in determining a daily routine. Those who live in an apartment without yard space might need to make more trips outside or plan for some rigorous playtime inside in order to exercise your dog for proper weight management and overall health.
Quality time is another important aspect of the schedule. Carving out time to spend with your pup every day helps establish your bond. If your pup is alone most of the day and doesn’t have another furry friend at home to keep them company then you should try to create an enriching environment. Invest in some dog toys that can keep your dog entertained, like treat puzzles. Scheduling some mentally stimulating playtime is essential for your dog’s happiness. Hiring pet sitters to visit your dog while you are gone can help to keep fido from getting too bored or lonely while you are away for the day. Regular walkies provided by a certified dog walker can help set the pace for your pup. Enrolling in training classes to learn how to train your dog to be a good pupizen is a great start to early pet ownership. From there, you can schedule a daily training session at home to help practice tricks, like sit and stay, walking on a leash as well as reinforce basic good obedience skills in your pup. Just remember: idle paws and idle minds can lead to chewed up furniture! A good sleep schedule is also imperative for your pup. Your days shouldn’t be so jam packed. All dogs need to have some nap time. Purchasing a quality dog bed will ensure that your pup has a comfortable place to call their own and relax.
Below we will give a general outline for a single day schedule for your dog:
MORNING
6-7am: potty break and walk 7:30am: breakfast 8:30am: another potty break for puppies Allow time for digestion before playing with your dog or exercise If you are crate training your dog, now would be a good time to crate your dog before leaving for work.
AFTERNOON
11am-1pm: potty break and walk. If you are unable to be home, hire a dog walker to take care of your dog. This is an excellent time for your dog to get some exercise and socialization. Playtime, like fetch, can help get out some excess energy. This game is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce some training skills by helping your dog to learn basic commands like “drop it”, “stay” and make sure they do not develop any resource guarding.
EVENING
5:30-7pm: Time for a longer walk. Evenings can often be the best tie for this, especially during hate summer months when midday is too hot to be outside for very long.
7:30-8:30 Dinner time! Make sure your pup has had some time to decompress after walk. The evenings can now be spent winding down together and relaxing. Use tis time for pets, cuddles, grooming, etc.
9:30-:10:30 One last quick potty break before bedtime!
Dog Walking Safety Tips
As a dog owner living in New York City you might be asking yourself: is dog walking dangerous? Is it safer to walk with a dog? Should I purchase any dog attack protection devices? How do you navigate dog walking in the city? Is hiring a dog walker safe? We are here to answer those questions! Here are 10 dog walking safety tips to help you walk your dog in the big city!
The number one priority for dog owners is the wellbeing of your beloved pup. To keep your dog safe at all times, you need to take the dog health and dogs body into consideration when planning your outings. For example, overweight dogs, senior dogs, those with medical conditions like a heart defect or breeds with issues breathing might not do well walking outside for extended periods of time. The weather conditions could also be a factor. Consult with your vet about these concerns so you can be aware of warning signs that your dog is unwell and under what conditions you should be extra cautious.
Working with a licensed and experienced dog trainer can help you and Fido get started on the right foot. It is beneficial for eveyone if you taught your dog to walk on a leash and how to engage in social interactions with people and other dogs while out on walks. Working with a trainer can also educate the pet owner on dog behavior, increase the understanding of your dog’s body language and offer safety tips for walking dog in city.
Check the local forecast for the weather conditions before heading out to walk your dog. In the case of hot weather, you should plan to stick to the shade and keep a slower pace. If it is dangerously hot outside you should plan to shorten walks and spend extra time playing inside where it is cooler. Be very careful on black pavement as the ground can get so hot it can burn the paws of the dogs. Bring water and a water bowl to keep both yourself and your furry friend hydrated. When it starts to get colder and you are planning on walking your dog in the winter, make sure your dog is properly bundled in a coat or sweater if needed. Dogs with thick fur might be OK without a coat in cold weather and can actually overheat in a heavy coat. Watch out for salt on sidewalks and roads as walking on it can be very painful for your dog. Do not let your dog lick their paws and make sure to also wash their paws after walks as the salt can make dogs sick. Check the AQI as certain dogs with medical conditions may not be able to stay outside for very long if the levels are too high. If there is a thunderstorm in the forecast and your dog is afraid of thunder then plan your walks around the storm. Many dogs panic and get lost in these situations and it can be a very traumatizing experience in general to be outside when the boomers strike.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times and think about the area you are exploring with your pooch. If you are in a wooded area or a park with tall, unmowed grass then you might need to check your dog for fleas and ticks. Be respectful of the local wildlife and do not let your dog off leash around wild animals.
If you and your pet travel to a new place it is best to do some research ahead of time. Getting lost in a new place can be scary! Make sure to research ahead of time where you are going to walk your dog and look at maps of the area. Bring a paper map if you can, in case your phone loses service or battery, but having navigation tools on your phone are helpful as well. Look for signs in the area alerting people to potential dangers, like signs for rat poison or areas that were recenlty sprayed with pesticides. Trespassing is never a good idea so stick to the roads designated for pedestrians and make sure you are walking in a dog friendly area.
Be mindful of the other dog walkers in the area, whether they be a fellow neighbor or a professional. You should avoid other dogs if they seem unfriendly, unwell or if they are busy eliminating or learning some training with their person. An Important thing to keep in mind when it comes to dog walking etiquette is understanding how to socialize your dog responsibly and to ask permission before interacting with other dogs. During the meet and greets between your pup and another, watch body language for any signs of aggression and make sure to intervene and before anything escalates. A good way to reinforce dog training while walking is to carry treats to reinforce positive behavior.
Dog walking in the city comes with some unique challenges, specifically with relation to traffic. Paying attention to the roads, traffic signs and vehicles is important especially when crossing the street. Always cross at designated crosswalks and wait until it is safe to cross. Always look both ways and be VERY careful of any vehicles turning as they might not see you in the crosswalk. Be mindful of the bike lanes and watch out for scooters and bikes. Wearing reflective gear, like a safety vest or blinking lights, at night can help to make you more visible to people on the road. Carrying a flashlight is a good idea as well.
One of the risks of dog walking business and persons who own more than one pup is navigating how to walk multiple dogs safely. As a professional dog walker, one has to consider pairing up dogs who are compatible and not just be geography. Age, personality, health and temperament are all factors to consider. Other considerations when walking multiple dogs is making sure you have a proper hold on each pooch so you can keep stop your dogs from any potential hazardous situations. Both hands should be used to walk the dogs, with one in each hand for two dogs and possibly two in one and one in another for three. A shorter leash is important, so keep the dogs no more than 3 feet away from you at all times. Be careful with dog interactions as the pack mentality can sometimes kick in. If a passing dog is barking, be prepared to have your whole pack barking too.
It is important to choose the right equipment, and that also includes having an understanding of basic dog commands as well. Never leave your home without a dog collar with name tags and a phone number. A dog harness that is sized properly and fits your dog’s body type is a good idea as well to keep your dog secure. Every dog is built differently so choose a harness that suits their specific needs. Make sure to always follow your local leash laws. When choosing your dogs leash, make sure it is made of a sturdy material like thick nylon and that it is appropriate length. A leash that is too long means your dog can get too far away from you to properly handle. Too short and your dog can become anxious since they can’t sniff and explore. We do not recommend using retractable leashes as it can be harder to control your dog if a situation arises, like a chicken bone on the street or a not so friendly dog. Some dogs eat some pretty gross stuff, like dead animals or feces. If your pup is prone to scavenging and searching for their next tasty snack, think about investing in a special muzzle designed to make sure they don’t eat anything they aren’t supposed to. You don’t want to take your dog to the ER or ave a case of diarrhea on the new rug.
