More on leashes for your dog

The reason I recommend a short leash is to keep your dog focused on walking.  The long retactable leashes encourage your dog to wander ahead, then lag behind you.  The reason you are walking your dog is for YOUR excercise, not your dog's entertainment.  Use a short lease (in your left/non-dominant hand) and you just keep walking.  Your pooch will soon learn that lolly-gagging isn't an option.  She will learn rather quickly that walking is her job.


Be Smart: keep walking at least 20 minutes per day. 

Walking your dog

Since your walking 20 minutes (1 mile) every day, you might be a bit frustrated with your dog. She's likely a pain in the butt on your walks: stopping/sniffing/pulling a lot. She'll get the idea pretty quick if you stick with it.

Here are my three suggestions for walking with your dog:
use a harness. This will keep the leash up where she won't trip or tangle as much

use a short leash. The long retractable leashes encourage her to stop and smell the roses.

hold her leash in your left hand. You're likely right-handed, holding her leash will actually excercise your left arm whole you walk. It's also proper form to hold the leash on the left.

Be Smart Walk you dog.

Walking with your dog is great excercise.  It's also a great way to improve your relationship with her.  She will absolutely love it.  My dog used to be a runner; everytime a door was open - she would bolt!  Now, after a few months of (almost) daily walks, she's a much better dog.  She doesn't run away anymore; maybe she was just curious about the outside world.  Now she is very attached to me.

Regular walks with your dog will keep you honest.  She'll remind you when it's time to take a walk.

Be Smart Walk

Take a walk.  Every day.  If you can find just 20 minutes in your day for some 'me' time, do it today.  At an average walking pace, you can walk 3 miles per hour, mile in 20 minutes.   You'll feel better.  I shouldn't have to tell you why walking is good for you, but I'll name a few:  cardio excersice, muscle excercise, fresh air, peace/quiet.

Lots more on walking coming up.    Tell us about your excercise program.