Proper Dog Walking
- Claudia Lang
- Sep 22, 2025
- 7 min read
Unlike in countries with street dogs, dogs here are not allowed to roam freely. For humans and dogs to truly enjoy their walks together, there are a few things to keep in mind. A well-structured walk strengthens the bond between human and dog. (Text: Claudia Lang)
Table of Contents
Common Mistakes When Walking Your Dog
The Invisible Leash
Practice Makes Perfect
How Long and How Often to Go Out?
Socializing Dogs
Our Dog Walking Offers
Why Walks Are So Important
Walks are often the very reason why people decide to get a dog. Many say they wouldn’t go out into nature regularly without their dog. Going outside several times a day in all kinds of weather may not always be convenient, but it’s essential for dogs—even if it’s just for a quick potty break.
Our homes are often low in stimuli, and dogs are expected to stay calm and suppress their instincts indoors. This doesn’t match their natural needs. That’s why the daily walk is such a highlight: movement, sniffing, action—and finally a chance to relieve themselves. For domesticated dogs, walks are vitally important!
Common Mistakes When Walking Your Dog
The way a walk unfolds often shows whether a dog feels safe and connected with their human. Is the dog responsive outside? Is the walk interesting? Who provides the sense of safety?
Frequent mistakes include:
Wrong choice of leash, collar, or harness
Constant tension on the leash
Pulling on the leash (in either direction)
Misuse of head halters (Haltis)
Giving treats at the wrong moment
Petting when the dog is fearful or aggressive
Letting dogs run loose when others are on leash
Allowing off-leash freedom with unreliable recall
Being distracted by phone or other things
Walking separately without real interaction
Always taking the exact same route
Many handlers are distracted or tense while walking their dog. They haven’t learned enough about canine body language and often let dogs “play” without understanding what’s actually happening. A safe recall is crucial before considering off-leash freedom.
Proper Leash Walking:
How to Turn Walks into a Shared Experience
Freedom begins with safety. To build trust, we need to understand our dog’s character and needs, set boundaries, and provide structure. Only then does real connection grow.
As I, Claudia Lang—dog trainer and creator of the fairDogs Personality Test—put it:
“Simply tagging along isn’t enough. Many dogs experience walks as restriction rather than connection. If the human overlooks signals, distractions, or dangers, the dog cannot rely on them. Important cues are missed. Instead of being present, people often chat, make calls, or think about unrelated things. Games, food, and training can create contact, but true connection comes from shared presence in the moment—mindful awareness, supporting your dog, protecting them, and helping them overcome fears.”
Rules for Dog Walks
To walk respectfully and safely with others, keep these rules in mind:
On-leash dogs: If you meet a dog on leash, leash yours as well, so everyone can relax—even if your dog has a great heel.
Keep distance: Give space when passing insecure or unsteady people.
Yellow ribbon: This signals that a dog needs more distance. Please respect it.
Children & dogs: In many regions, children under 14 are not allowed to walk a dog alone—for the safety of both child and dog.
Seniors & dogs: Choose a dog whose strength and energy match your own. Puppies are rarely the best fit if mobility is limited.
Wildlife protection season (April–July): Dogs must be leashed in forests to protect young wildlife.
Clean up waste: Always pick up after your dog, even in fields and forests.
No puddle drinking: Stagnant water may transmit leptospirosis, giardia, or parasites.
Communicate clearly: If your dog is reactive or insecure, let others know before they approach.
In short, dog owners should always prioritize the safety of people, other animals, and their dogs—and show consideration on every walk.
Safety for Humans and Dogs
An often overlooked aspect: The person walking the dog must be able to safely hold and control the animal. As a rule of thumb, dogs on leash should not be heavier than the person leading them. This doesn’t mean constantly pulling on the leash—it simply means being physically capable of holding the dog if it suddenly lunges with force.
A tight leash creates tension—not only for the dog but also for the human. Constant pressure on the leash signals to the dog that something is wrong. This can cause stress and lead to behavioral problems. In addition, the tension and discomfort often push the dog to move away from the source of pressure, which usually results in even more pulling.
It is therefore essential to build a mental connection with your dog so that the leash is only needed rarely. Handlers should practice keeping the leash so loose that their hand and arm remain completely relaxed. Communicate calmly and in good time, ideally before your dog becomes agitated. A loose leash reduces pressure, allowing both human and dog to walk together more calmly and attentively.
The Invisible Leash: Respect and Trust
What does a perfect walk look like? Dog and human both feel comfortable, safe, and understood. Harness, collar, and leash are simply tools that provide security without causing pain. The leash should hang loosely between the two, forming a U-shape. If it becomes tight, stop walking, make a sound, or give a light signal until the leash relaxes again. Both human and dog remain in contact and relaxed—whether on or off leash.
For many dogs, it helps when a walk is structured. One part of the walk is where the dog adjusts to the human’s pace, another part includes active engagement such as games (throwing a stick, hiding treats), and a third part belongs entirely to the dog: free sniffing, relaxing, and running as they please.
Practice Makes Perfect
Training recall and loose-leash walking are among the most important tasks for any dog owner. It’s worth investing the time and effort because it brings relaxation and freedom for both human and dog. Do you already leave the house feeling worried about the walk? Everything begins with a clear visualization of how you want to experience the walk (instead of imagining what you don’t want). Dogs can sense this positive or negative attitude and react accordingly.
If your dog is not yet reliable on recall, a long line is an important tool—but always in combination with a harness, never with a collar! This ensures that the dog can move freely and that you can intervene if the dog doesn’t respond or runs off. But be careful: the longer the leash, the stronger the jolt if the dog takes off. This can cause injuries not only to the dog but also to the human—dislocations, fractures, or strains.
Practice short training sessions regularly: first at home, then in the garden or in a fenced park to strengthen your dog’s focus. Start with the dog’s name; the next day, build on name and eye contact, and then gradually extend the time the dog looks at you. In the following days, slowly build the path for the dog to come toward you. Be creative and find ways that bring joy and fun to both of you.
How Long and How Often Should Dogs Go Out?
Dogs need fresh air, exercise, and contact with nature to stay physically and emotionally healthy. Size doesn’t matter—every dog needs sufficient movement. Many small dogs appear “aggressive” simply because they are often under-exercised.
At least one hour of exercise per day is essential, and more is always beneficial. High-energy dogs may need up to six hours of movement combined with mental engagement in order to be able to relax at home. Certain breeds require more exercise than others—regardless of their size.
Puppies and young dogs should only take short walks appropriate to their age. The rule of thumb for puppies is: five minutes per month of age per walk during the first year.
If dogs are forced to hold it in regularly for too long, it can lead to health issues such as bladder infections or incontinence. Remember, even for us humans it is uncomfortable to relieve ourselves only two or three times a day—it’s no different for dogs.
Puppies need to go out up to seven times a day—always after eating, sleeping, and playing. Most dogs are house-trained by about five months of age, but it can take until the eighth month before they are physically able to reliably control their bladder, even if they already understand and want to. Patience is key! The same applies to senior dogs, whose muscles and bladder control weaken with age. Having access to a garden can help, but certain herbs may also support bladder health.
If you cannot fully meet your dog’s needs, organization is essential. Support from friends, DogSharing, or dog sitters is important to ensure dogs get enough exercise and toilet breaks. Dog owners can also help one another by sharing walks, which in turn also supports socialization.
Socializing Dogs
A puppy playgroup or ten minutes of running around with unfamiliar dogs is not enough to promote lasting socialization. Especially for dogs that live without canine companions, regular contact with other dogs is essential. They need to learn how to read signals from fellow dogs instead of rushing up to everyone or barking at them all. Beyond occasional encounters, they require consistent meetings to develop genuine social skills. Ideally, dogs should spend time with the same companions once or twice a week—walking together and interacting.
Dogs need long-term contact to build friendships, get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and also to argue and reconcile. This is how they learn to respect the boundaries of others and to assert their own respectfully. Socialization also includes quiet companionship, such as calmly walking side by side or resting near each other. These experiences help dogs better understand their peers’ communication and develop safe, respectful relationships.
Our Dog Walking Offers
In our walking groups, everything revolves around relaxation, trust, and safety. Dogs can explore together without pressure while gathering new experiences. We support you as an owner in the Basel area with services focusing on encounters, leash skills, and socialization:
Personal Training: Individual coaching for challenges in dog encounters, leash work, or socialization.
Small-Group Practice Walk: With up to 4 dogs, we practice relaxed walks in city and countryside—ideal for insecure but manageable dogs.
Social Walk: Calm, guided walk with a group exercise. Suitable for dogs who enjoy people and other dogs.
DogSharing Walk: Perfect for multi-dog households, those needing extra support, or people without a dog who’d like to gain experience.
PS: I speak German, English, and Portuguese.
Do you have questions or experiences to share? Leave a comment or write me directly.
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