'MO - November 2008 - (Page 10)

community “We are doing something important by taking this walk, and you need to pay attention.” This doesn’t mean you are not relaxed and enjoying the walk, you just need to add in a little structure to ground your dog. I highly recommend training collars. I’m talking about metal prong collars. Yes, they look medieval, but they are the safest and most effective training tool for leash walking. They are safe because they apply pressure evenly around the neck rather than putting strain on just the front of the neck when your dog pulls. This protects your dog from tracheal damage. Also, they work! Training collars are a tool, so you need to know how to use them properly. The only time your dog should feel the presence of the leash and collar is when you are giving a “correction,” which is a quick snap of the leash and then it is loose again. If she starts to get ahead of you, give her a snap to keep her at your side. If she starts to bark like crazy at another dog, give that leash a nice firm snap as soon as she “goes there,” and tell her to knock it off as you keep walking. An effective correction is not necessarily hard, but it is ALWAYS fast. Keep yourself relaxed and confident. If you tense up as you approach another dog, she’ll feel it. Click here to comment on these stories. Use a six-foot leash. Leather will give you maximum grip and comfort, but nylon will work, too. You want to always keep that leash nice and loose. The metal buckle that attaches the leash to the collar should be hanging down to the ground, and the leash should form a “J” shape from the dog’s collar to your hand. I do not recommend retractable leashes. Work to keep your dog at your side. Her shoulder should be lined up with your leg and she shouldn’t be physically ahead of you. You can tell your dog all day long that you are leading the walk, but if she is physically ahead of you, you might as well save your breath. She won’t buy it. Try to keep your pace and don’t let your dog dictate how fast or slow you move, or how often you stop. Certainly pull over every once in a while, let her check her peemail and go potty, but this shouldn’t be every ten feet! You won’t be able to establish a rhythm to your walk if it’s stop and go the whole way. Your walks are your time to bond and be with your dog. Enjoy being outside together, at the park or around the neighborhood. Connect with your dog … don’t retract! Julie is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Animal Science. Find her on the Web at www.SensitiveDog.com. PET PROJECT Enjoyable Leash Walking Is A Snap! By Julie Forbes Walking with your dog on leash can and should be one of the most enjoyable activities you do with your dog. Many people struggle with leash walking. Issues like pulling or aggression toward other dogs can often be quickly resolved with the proper tools and knowledge. The first thing to communicate to your dog is that you are leading the walk, not your dog. If you don’t believe this and then also genuinely act the part, your dog won’t buy it either, regardless of what you do. You communicate much more effectively by BEING, than by doing. Be the leader. This means you hold yourself upright, chest open, shoulders back, face forward and you walk. Walk like you know where you are going and it is your job to bring you and your dog to that place, even if it’s just around the neighborhood. Leash walking for exercise should have a sense of business. capitol hill medical Dr. Rob Killian and associates proudly announce the opening of Seattle’s newest full-service GLBT and HIV clinic dedicated to serving our community 206.568.6320 now accepting patients! www.capitolhillmedical.com Rob Killian, MD, MPH Family Medicine GLBT Healthcare, HIV Medicine 10 celebrating seattle’s gay community http://www.SensitiveDog.com http://www.capitolhillmedical.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - November 2008

'MO - November 2008 Contents Letter from the Editor Voices Elections '08: What Really Happened Instant Activist Pet Project Legally Speaking: Estate Planning 'mo-BIZ: Thinking Cap Communications & Design, Inc. Whistler-Blackcomb's Peak 2 Peak Gondola Form & Function: Stay Up on the Downhill: Glutes & Legs Gay City Health Project: 10 Tips for Safe and Healthy Travel Head for the Hills: The Top 4 Gay Ski Weeks in North America Book Review: Waiter Rant Book Review: The Transgender Child Capitol Hill Guide Live Event Preview: Teatro ZinZanni's A Rosa de Rio Live Event Preview: Jennifer Holliday and the Seattle Men's Chorus DVD Review: Kiss the Bride SceneOut: People@Places 'mo-Single Q&A

'MO - November 2008

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