Is Walking Your Dog Stressful?

There are the pullers.

There are the laggers.

There are the dogs who bark at any and every moving object in sight.

The list goes on…

Behavioral issues in dogs can have a huge impact on your daily activities and your time spent together.

If it seems like you and your pup are always walking to the beat of different drums, don’t worry! We’re here to share several tips and tricks you can start using right away to make walks with your fur baby more enjoyable. 

Disclaimer: This article isn’t intended for you to learn how to ditch using a professional dog walking service, but instead equip you with the necessary tools so that the next time you have the free time to be able to treat your pup to his/her favorite activity, it’s not a completely dreaded experience!

Always Make Sure You Have The Right Equipment

Let’s be honest…

Proper leash training all begins with having the proper equipment. It’s possible that your dog doesn’t have behavioral issues, but may instead just be wearing the wrong collar, harness, and/or leash.

Similarly, having proper knowledge of the different collars, harnesses and leashes is a dog-parent MUST when it comes to the topic of leash training. 

Plus, once you’ve got a grip on at least the very basics, the endless options available for purchase in the dog walking aisle at your local pet store won’t feel so intimidating. 

Common Problems & Their Solutions

1) Leash pulling

Try a front-clip harness or a gentle leader. Both of these options will enhance communication with your pup because they allow the leash to be attached closer to the dog’s head. A front-clip harness is a good starting point. This harness has a D-ring at the front, near the dog’s chest. Each time you must tug on the leash, should your dog start misbehaving, you will redirect your pup’s body to face you. This effectively communicates to your pup that any misbehaving will result in their entire body being turned around towards you.

If the front-clip harness doesn’t do the job, try a gentle leader. This option will offer more control because the leash clips directly underneath the dog’s chin. Just like with the front-clip harness, it allows you to communicate a similar message to your pup- that if they misbehave, their body will be redirected to facing you. Similarly, your pup will feel less inclined to continue pulling, knowing the consequences. 

Reward desired behavior. Every time your pup walks with you, instead of pulling you along, reward them with a treat, a pet, and/or a ‘good job!’. Positive reinforcement helps them recognize that a loose-leash walk is a better walk for you both. 

You could also take this one step further. When your pup starts pulling on the leash, just stop and standstill. Do not start walking again until they themselves stop pulling and the leash is slack. We call this ‘being a tree’. Depending on what motivates your dog, it would be wise of you to reward them for when they listen and do stop pulling (we recommend training treats!). Basically, your goal is to show your dog that unless they cooperate with you, they will not get to continue on their walk.

Do NOT use a retractable leash. If your dog likes to pull, a retractable leash will weaken your control and your overall connection with them on walks. Instead, we recommend a flat lead. This leash is simple, easy-to-use, and helps maintain good communication with your pup by keeping them close to you and secure during walks. No more frantic pulling on your retractable leash- a flat lead will put you back in control!

2) Reluctance or stopping on walks

Be outwardly excited from the get-go. If you know your dog is likely to lose energy or stop a lot on walks, it’s important to emphasize that walks are FUN! As soon as you walk out of the door, put a pep in your step and begin to talk excitedly to your pup about how fun the walk is going to be! If your dog sees you excited, happy, and unafraid, they will tap into your energy levels and act accordingly. As we like to put it: Be the leader your dog needs you to be!

Reward progress with treats and toys. We recommend bringing training treats and/or toys on the walk so that when your pup starts to show reluctance, you can bring out their special toy or treat and use it to encourage them to keep walking. Just like how dogs who pull on the leash need a reward to reel them back in, reluctant walkers also benefit from positive reinforcement. The use of treats and toys to encourage good leash behavior can calm down excited dogs and motivate reluctant, fearful ones. It’s the same concept, just implemented in different circumstances.   

Change the scenery. If your dog stops short during a walk, try changing directions or crossing the street. Sometimes a different route is all that’s needed! If your pup is still reluctant, try walking in a new area, such as a different street in your neighborhood or a local dog-friendly park

Walk with a FURiend. Does your pup have a BFF (best furry friend) that they feel comfortable with? Try coordinating a walk with them! If they see their friend having fun on walks, your pup will likely want to do the same! 

Here at Hands N Paws, we walk most of our furry clients solo (for safety reasons); however, this may be a good way for dog parents to socialize their fur babies and show them that walks are good and fun!

3) Lunging at dogs, squirrels, and/or anything and everything that moves

Encourage check-ins. Lunging is a difficult problem to fix completely, but you can definitely reduce how often it happens by replacing it with a default, good behavior. On walks, reward your dog with a treat and a ‘good job!’ every time they look back at you/’check-in’. Practice this in a quiet area first. Once your pup has learned that showing curiosity towards you (looking back and ‘checking in’) is a desired behavior, reward them by graduating them back to their normal walking route. 

Continue to reward your dog for ‘checking-in’. Get excited for your pup when they successfully avoid a distraction. Make their environment fun and happy by implementing lots of positive reinforcement. Rewarding ‘check-ins’ and calm behavior help keep your pup relaxed in potentially stressful situations. Instead of lunging at distractions, your pup will instead look at you for comfort and support, further enriching your bond. It’s a win-win!

Try a front-clip harness or a gentle leader. As explained in the leash-pulling section, both of these options offer a greater owner-to-dog connection and work to give you more control over your dog while on walks. Using these tools consistently will teach your dog to ‘check-in’ with you when they are around distractions and to respond accordingly and appropriately to your leash movements.

4) Walking two dogs at once

Teach leash manners individually. Walking two dogs at the same time can be hard if things are lacking in the good-leash-behavior department. Proper training and teaching dogs leash manners individually set a foundation of good behavior, which will make walks, solo or with FURiends, easier. Two dogs may be ready to walk together once they are each comfortable walking on a leash individually- neither of them pulls ahead or lag behind, they are each generally calm around distractions, etc. The goal is for your pups to behave just as well on a walk together as they do on solo walks! Typically, two dogs with good leash manners will walk side-by-side most of the time and keep a slack leash.

Make sure they get along. This one may seem a bit obvious, but make sure that the dogs you are walking are friendly with each other before heading out. This usually is not a problem if the dogs come from the same household; but if you just added a new puppy to the family or are planning on walking a neighbor’s/friend’s pup with yours, make sure the dogs have bonded and are friendly enough with each other prior to walking together. 

At Hands N Paws, we do not walk dogs from different households together because there is always a risk that the dogs may not get along or they may not be on the same page training-wise. Should we proceed to provide clients with “pack walks”, we would most definitely follow the aforementioned tips before walking two dogs from different households together.

Get a leash coupler. A leash coupler allows you to walk two dogs while using just one leash. The coupler will typically clip on to each dog’s harness or collar and have a ring in the middle for you to clip your leash to (remember, a flat lead is best!). The coupler will restrict some of the movement between your dogs since they will essentially be stuck together; however, we have a few clients here at Hands N Paws who use couplers and absolutely love them! We personally love leash couplers because it prevents leashes from getting tangled and thus enables boundaries to be communicated more clearly and effectively to the dogs being walked. 

When In Doubt, Contact A Local Dog Trainer!

We know that walking your dog can be stressful sometimes, especially if you have a dog that walks YOU when it should be the other way around! That’s why it’s important that you’re using the appropriate equipment to combat your struggles, reward good behavior, and consistently encourage your pup to do and be his/her best! 

If you feel like you’ve tried everything and still have a lack of control over your fur baby, it could be in you and your pup’s best interest to hire a professional dog trainer. A professional can definitely be a great resource in guiding you through obedience issues, agility training, and anything else you may need help with. At the end of the day, their goal is to enrich the bond between you and your fur baby. 

We hope that our tips and techniques help you out! If they do, make sure to tell us about it in the comments below!

Benny DiFranco

Benny DiFranco

Hi! Thanks for reading this blog. I am the owner and founder of Columbus, Ohio's very own Hands N Paws. I started this business in 2018 with the purpose of giving more pet parents peace of mind. Looking forward to seeing you on the blog next time!

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Please review this agreement carefully. Your electronic signature on this indicates that you have read, reviewed, and agreed to the following Company policies.
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The terms of this agreement are as follows: “Client” refers to you, “Company” refers to us (Hands N Paws), and “Team Member” refers to the person from our team completing services with your pets. 

 

LIABILITY RELEASE

Should any of Client’s pets require emergency veterinary treatment, Hands N Paws will treat pets first and foremost, then make all reasonable efforts to contact Client and/or emergency contacts provided. Regardless, the Team Member on-site holds the right to take appropriate action to help all pets, including obtaining veterinary care. Client authorizes Hands N Paws to transport pet(s) to and from a veterinary clinic for treatment and/or to request “on-site” treatment if deemed necessary. Client authorizes Hands N Paws to make treatment decisions on their behalf (with the information available) for any treatment excluding euthanasia, especially if Client is not reachable and/or it’s a life-threatening emergency that calls for immediate action. Client agrees to pay any and all veterinary fees that result from this action.
Client also agrees to release Hands N Paws from any and all liability that may arise as a result of damage to property and/or injury to/death of pets that occurs outside of the Team Member’s control.
Client will also be held responsible for injury and/or damage caused to Team Member(s) as a result of previously undisclosed aggression in any of Client’s pets.

 

VACCINATION, LICENSING & ID POLICY

All pets are to be vaccinated and licensed as required by local laws and ordinances. Please visit the Ohio State Bar Association’s website for more details on these items by going to https://www.ohiobar.org/public-resources.
Please also check with your veterinarian for details on what vaccinations/shots your pet is required to have.
In the interest of safety, all dogs and cats are encouraged to have an ID tag or collar that states their name and a contact number while a Hands N Paws Team Member is working with them.

 

LOCKBOX POLICY

All Team Members will need guaranteed access to Clients’ homes during scheduled services. Client agrees to purchase a lockbox and place spare house key(s) inside the box for Team Members to use for accessing the home.
Please visit our website at www.myhandsnpaws.com and click Buy Your Lockbox to locate the proper lockbox for purchase.
Once received, lockboxes are to be programmed with a unique four-digit code and placed on a main door handle to Client’s home (or other secure place). Client is then required to enter their lockbox code and location information in his/her client account by logging in to Precise Petcare and going to Petcare > My Info > Home Access.
Client may also elect to provide a code for entry via garage door or electronic keypad. In this case, Client is responsible for entering all necessary codes in Precise Petcare.
Regardless, a lockbox is strongly encouraged to be purchased so as to avoid situations where power might go out, batteries to keypads die, and/or keys hidden under outside objects are not found, etc. Lockboxes guarantee that Team Members are able to access pets at all times during scheduled services.

 

PHONE NUMBER EXCHANGE POLICY

It is strongly discouraged that Team Members and Clients exchange phone numbers with each other in working together. Phone numbers are personal and Team Members have specific work hours.
Clients should direct all communications with Team Members in our app, Precise Petcare. Both parties can communicate via submitted journal reports, which Team Members send after completion of all services with pets. More information on this can be found by visiting our client support page at www.myhandsnpaws.com/client-support.
For any pressing/non-emergency communications, Clients are advised to call our office number at (614) 636-6644. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9am-5pm. We are closed on Saturdays, Sunday, and Federal Holidays.
PLEASE NOTE: Office hours differ from fieldwork hours. Office hours are the times in which we provide client support via answering phones, emails, etc. Fieldwork hours are the times in which we offer services/are working in the field with pets. Our fieldwork hours are 7am-10pm (and overnights), 365 days a year.

 

CAT POLICIES

Clients are NOT allowed to request that Team Members “ignore the cat” when providing care for other animals in households that have multiple pets. Regardless of the cat’s disposition, personality, or levels of need, Hands N Paws Team Members must provide some kind of attention and care to the cat during scheduled services. Similarly, Client must create a pet profile for the cat(s) and provide care notes accordingly.

UPDATING PET & CLIENT PROFILES POLICY

Our Team Members can only perform services correctly if they are equipped with the correct (and most up to date) pet care information. You will only be allowed to request services on the basis that pet and personal profiles are updated every 6 months (at minimum). Any Client who attempts to request services at the 6 month mark will receive an error message letting them know that they cannot submit a request if they haven’t made updates to their profiles. If there is nothing to update at the 6 month mark, simply reword a current piece of information and click Save at the bottom of the page.

SPECIFIC VISIT TIME POLICY

Client acknowledges that arrival times for services occur within a two-hour period. It is NOT possible for Team Members to arrive at exact times. This is why time frames appear, rather than exact times, in the dropdown menu when selecting a time for the service(s).
Client agrees to requesting services in the two-hour time frames offered.

 

SERVICES & PRICING

For detailed descriptions on our services, please visit our website at www.myhandsnpaws.com.

Dog Walking
*Rates below apply for up to 2 dogs; add $7 per additional dog
QUICK WALK – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD WALK – 30 mins – $25
LONG WALK – 45 mins – $35

Pet Sitting
*Rates below apply for up to 2 pets; add $7 per additional pet
QUICK VISIT – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD VISIT – 30 mins – $25
LONG VISIT – 45 mins – $35

Cat Sitting
*Rates below apply for up to 2 cats; add $7 per additional cat
QUICK VISIT – 20 mins – $22
STANDARD VISIT – 30 mins – $25
LONG VISIT – 45 mins – $35
Overnight Stay (8-10 hrs) – $80

*Rate applies for up to 2 pets; add $10 per additional pet.

 

 

HOLIDAY PRICING

A $20 surcharge is added to each service that is scheduled on the following Federal Holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve.

 

SERVICE REQUESTS

Upon submitting service request(s), Client will be informed as to whether Hands N Paws can take on the requested work via a confirmation or declination email/notification. Client understands that there is NO guarantee that any/all service requests can be approved; it simply just depends on Team Member availability. Clients are encouraged to submit all service requests as far in advance as possible!

 

SAME-DAY SERVICE REQUEST POLICY

Client understands and accepts the Company same day service request policy as outlined below:
– A $10 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 24 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.
– A $20 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 12 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.
– A $30 convenience fee is added to each service if requested (and approved) with 6 hours or less notice before service(s) is scheduled to occur.

 

OUT-OF-SERVICE-AREA REQUEST POLICY

Client understands and accepts the Company out-of-service-area request policy as outlined below:
– A $10 (minimum) convenience fee is added to each service if requested outside of our current service area.
Please note, this amount is subject to increase depending on how far a client lives outside of our current service area.

 

 

SERVICE CHANGE REQUEST POLICY (FOR TIME CHANGES ONLY)

Client understands and accepts the Company service change request policy as it applies to time frames as outlined below:

If Client submits a service change request, there may be a same-day applicable fee should the change be approved. Technically, changing a service time frame equates to cancelling one service and requesting a brand new one. With that, Hands N Paws assesses the change as it relates to our same-day policy detailed above.

If the change is requested (and approved) with 24 hours or less notice before service is newly scheduled to occur, the original service is canceled (same-day) and there is a $10 convenience fee added onto the “new service” base rate.

If the change is requested (and approved) with 12 hours or less notice before service is newly scheduled to occur, the original service is canceled (same-day) and there is a $20 convenience fee added onto the “new service” base rate.

If the change is requested (and approved) with 6 hours or less notice before service is newly scheduled to occur, the original service is canceled (same-day) and there is a $30 convenience fee added onto the “new service” base rate.

 

 

MEET N GREETS

All meet n greets are FREE (and required as part of proper client onboarding) for first-time Clients. To the extent that Clients wish to schedule additional meet n greets, after their first free one, they will be charged $50 per meet n greet.

To schedule a first-time meet n greet (for new clients), please go to www.myhandsnpaws.com and click Get Started.

To schedule additional meet n greets (for current clients), please log in to your client account, go to My Schedule > Request Service and select Meet N Greet in the service dropdown.

 

BILLING

All services are to be paid for via credit/debit card. We accept all major cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover). Card information can be added securely to each client account.

For services scheduled as ongoing, you will be auto-charged every Friday evening for the previous 7 days worth of work on schedule, including completed, canceled, and in-progress services.

For services NOT scheduled as ongoing, the day your services are accepted and confirmed is the day you will be charged 50% of your invoice total (as downpayment). Your invoice will be sent to you immediately. You have from then until the date of the last confirmed service to pay your invoice manually. If you choose to not pay manually, your remaining total will be auto-paid (via card on file) on the evening of the last service day.

If any auto-charges are declined, you will be notified immediately. In the first declined attempt, we give you a 24-hour grace period to correct the issue. In the second declined attempt, a late fee of 10% of the invoice total ($10 minimum) will be added. Please look out for emails regarding overdue notices.

Credit cards are required to be added to and remain on file in order for Clients to request any services with Hands N Paws.

Hands N Paws will be paid the amount discussed with no exceptions other than if our Cancellation Policy (outlined below) applies and Client receives a refund in either the form of Account Credit(s), or in emergency circumstances as transferable credit(s) back to their card.

Client may be charged additional fees if Team Members are instructed to, or sees the need to, purchase items for the pet while under Company care, including but not limited to: pet food or treats, litter or cleaning supplies, transportation to the vet and/or emergency expenses for general care of pet(s). Hands N Paws will retain and share receipts as proof of purchase.

 

 

SERVICE CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

When Client schedules services with Hands N Paws, the Company has likely turned down other work so as to devote our time to the work requested from said Client.

Client understands and accepts the Company cancellation/refund policy as outlined below:

– 100% refund is issued as Account Credit if cancellation is made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled service(s).

– 50% refund is issued as Account Credit if cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled service(s).

– NO refund is issued for same-day cancellations/less than 24 hour notice.

PLEASE NOTE: Refunds are NOT transferable. Should you be eligible to receive an Account Credit (based on terms above), that will be auto-added to your account and applied to your very next invoice with us.

 

SERVICES TERMS

Hands N Paws agrees to provide the services stated in this contract in a reliable, caring, and trustworthy manner. In consideration of these services and as an express condition thereof, Client expressly waives and relinquishes any and all claims against Hands N Paws arising out of or relating to the provision of services hereunder, except those arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct on part of Hands N Paws.

Client understands and acknowledges that the environment in which they are requesting Hands N Paws to complete services is reasonably sanitary and safe. We assess home conditions during initial meet n greets. If we determine home conditions to be unsanitary and/or unsafe, we will make it clear to the Client that we cannot pursue a working relationship.

Should a Team Member sustain any injury, disease, or other harm in the course of providing services hereunder, the Client will indemnify Hands N Paws and hold it harmless with respect to all loss, expense, and damage caused thereby, except those arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct on part of Hands N Paws.

Client understands and acknowledges that he/she is responsible for letting Hands N Paws know of anyone who has access to their home and agrees to not contract with any other company and/or care provider during the duration of services booked with Hands N Paws. Client releases and holds Hands N Paws harmless of all loss, expense, and damage caused by anyone entering the Client’s home with their permission or access given to others during the terms of services rendered.

 

 

CONTRACT TERMS

This contract will take effect upon digital signature by Client (clicking “Agree & Submit” below) and will remain in effect until terminated by either party. Client may make online reservations for additional services at any time during the terms of this contract, as subject to Hands N Paws availability. All scheduled services will be governed by all the terms of this contract. We appreciate as much advance notice as possible for the work, but will make every effort possible to accommodate all requests.

Either party may terminate this contract at any time by written notice to the other. Hands N Paws is entitled to payment for all services rendered until notice of termination is received and for any transition services reasonably required to provide for the health and welfare of Client’s pet(s). Hands N Paws will not terminate during a period of scheduled service unless Hands N Paws determines, at their sole discretion, that a serious danger exists to the health or safety of a Team Member or pet. If such concerns preclude Hands N Paws from providing further care for the pet(s), Client agrees to pay for their pet to be boarded at a boarding facility or taken under the care of another party until Client returns. Every attempt will be made to notify Client and/or emergency contacts regarding such situations.

Client acknowledges that by signing below, he/she is providing written approval for the provision of services by Hands N Paws during any service period scheduled by Client and confirmed by Hands N Paws. Upon such scheduling and approval, Hands N Paws will be authorized to enter Client premises and perform services without additional signed contracts and/or written authorizations

 

 

AGREEMENT

I, Client, have reviewed this Client Agreement in its entirety. I will promptly complete all parts of my client account in Precise Petcare, and the information I provide will be detailed and accurate. My electronic signature here will indicate that I am agreeing to all the terms and conditions of this contract, exactly as they are outlined above.