What Your Dog’s Walk Style Says About Them
Every dog has their own style when walking. Whether your dog darts around like crazy, struts confidently, or sniffs every blade of grass, their actions might be telling you more than you realise. Decoding dog walking habits is a great way to learn more about your pup so you can improve their walks even further. So, keep an eye on your dog’s walking behaviours during your outdoor adventures.
The Power Strutter
This refers to any dog that walks confidently with their head up high. They love to lead the way, whether or not that’s the route you had in mind. They might come across as sassy, but in the cutest way.
Dogs that show this level of confidence typically love being out and about as much as possible. Consider bringing them along anytime you go to a dog-friendly place like the park or a restaurant with outdoor seating. Since they like to be the centre of attention, they’re great candidates for stylish walking gear (such as a lead, harness, and collar) that matches their personality.
The only downside with a power strutter is that they might develop a pulling problem if not properly trained. It’s great that they like to lead the way, but pulling can put pressure on their neck or chest while making it harder for you to control them. Working on leash manners with them can keep them confident and well-behaved at the same time.
The Social Butterfly
Some dogs are easily distracted during walks. Social butterflies want to say hi to everyone they see. They may have a hard time focusing on your cues when they’re surrounded by new people, dogs, and smells. They just want to meet everyone!
For social pups, a harness is a great way to keep them comfortable as they pull toward new friends. It offers better control while also preventing pressure around your dog’s neck. However, a harness should still be paired with proper leash training to keep your dog focused. Bring training treats with you and teach your check in with you on walks to ensure they don’t run off toward people and dogs.
Training is great for controlling your dog when you don’t want them approaching others. Yet, you should embrace their social spirit sometimes. Take them to places where there’s action, such as dog parks and busy paths. If there are humans and dogs nearby that want to meet your furry friend, let your dog say hi to make them even happier while walking.
The Sniff Investigator
If you have a dog who loves sniffing, walks might take a little longer than expected. Sniff investigators like to sniff everything they can, which means you’ll be stopping a lot. While it might be easy to lose your patience if your dog walks like this, these types of walks are very meaningful for your pup.
Dogs who investigate everything with their noses likely value mental stimulation more than physical exercise. When possible, let them sniff (within reason). Sniffing is a dog’s way to experience the world and take in new information. While it might seem boring to us, it’s like scrolling through social media for them.
Sniff investigators benefit the most from areas with lots of new smells. Take longer walks or find new places to walk your dog, such as nearby parks. That way, there’s no shortage of great things for them to smell.
The Zigzagger
Most dogs walk in a straight line, especially with proper leash training. Yet, some dogs like to zigzag back and forth as much as possible. They walk all over the place as if they’re following an invisible trail. It might be hard to tell why they’re changing directions so much, but they’re clearly on a mission.
Dogs often zigzag while walking because they’re so excited and have a lot of energy. These dogs often benefit from playtime before walks to get some energy out. They may also need to work more on leash manners to help them understand your expectations.
To reduce the amount of zigzagging on walks, consider slip lead training. Slip leads tighten around your dog’s neck when they pull, so you can teach them that the tightening feeling means to stop and check in with you. With proper leash training, you can make walks more structured rather than chaotic.
The Cautious Cruiser
Walks aren’t exciting for every dog. Some dogs may approach walks with caution. They may walk slowly and nervously as they take in their surroundings. Loud sounds and sudden movements may startle them. However, just because they’re overly cautious doesn’t mean they’ll never enjoy walks.
Cautious cruisers are shy, uncertain, or scared. They need a calm environment and gentle encouragement to thrive. To help your dog overcome walk anxiety, take things slow. Start with short walks and reward your dog when they walk well on their leash. If there are certain triggers that make your dog more nervous on walks, such as loud noises and other dogs, avoid those when possible.
Having the right supplies with you can help. Try using a harness instead of a collar. Some dogs don’t like the feeling of pressure around their neck when they walk, so a harness may be more comfortable for them. Bringing a treat pouch along is an easy way to give your dog training treats throughout the walk to form positive associations.
What If They’re a Combo?
Most dogs are a mix of several walking styles rather than being one extreme case. Walk styles can also change depending on the day, weather, and your dog’s mood. Pay attention to your dog’s body language and behaviours to determine how your dog is feeling during each walk. Then, use that information to help you make walks better for you and your dog.
There isn’t one correct way to walk your dog. Every dog is different, so it’s important to adjust your walks to your dog’s unique needs. By paying attention to your dog’s walking style, you can learn a lot about them to help the two of you form a closer bond.