Mary Allen
Many people who jog or walk like to listen to music, or maybe an audiobook at the same time. But how do you do on the dog walk?
Is it okay to dream away to the tunes of your favorite music, or think about who is to blame for the detective story while you rest the dog?
Different Types of Dog Walk
There are many different types of dog walks. The long ones, wonderfully strolling or fast to get your heart rate up, but also the ones that are just a quick pee round around the block. Because regardless of the type of walk, they are usually based on the fact that the dog needs to fulfill its needs and be allowed to move around a bit.
But a dog walk can be so much more. You can plan them so that they become a real exercise session for both of you, perhaps with elements of physical exercises such as balancing on logs or walking in circles around lampposts. The walk is also a perfect opportunity to practice a contact with the young dog, perhaps a little trick or obedience with the older one, or to discover the cat on the fence together – at the same time.
Joint Voyage of Discovery
To really go on a joint discovery trip and have contact with your dog during the walk gives it an extra dimension – for both of you. It strengthens your relationship and you learn more about how the dog works, especially if it also has to decide a little about where to go and how long it is ok to sniff in the same place.
Maybe you can both have contact with and keep track of the dog – and the environment – and have a conversation on your mobile or listen to loud music on the phone, but for most of us, it is difficult. How do you do? Is the mobile phone switched off during the walk and the headphones in your pocket? Do you answer the phone but stop when you are talking or texting? Or do you take the opportunity to have that awkward conversation while you rest the dog? Maybe the evening walk is equal to a jogging trip at full speed with music at the highest volume and the dog runs so nicely by your side that you feel that you are in control? Tell!