These Paws Were Made for Walking...Fast
Cabana is a high energy dog. I think she really WANTS to walk nicely without pulling--but she just can't contain herself in the beginning of our walks. Midway through, after some energy has been expended, she's much better about walking in the right position, next to my left leg.
Because Cabana is over a year old, she's allowed to run a bit (Guide Dogs doesn't want dogs under 12 months running alongside you on leash because it can be hard on their joints). I usually jog the first few blocks with her, so she can release some energy. Well, I might be jogging, but for her, it's barely a trot (I'm a shorty at 5'1").
The new snap collar worked great at first, but a big drawback with the snap collar is that it stretches out. Proper fit is crucial with the snap collar; if it's even a half inch too loose, it just slides down, instead of staying high on the neck where it's most effective.
If you have the same problem with your snap collar, try soaking it, then putting it in the dryer for about 5-10 minutes. If you put the collar in a sock before putting it in the dryer, it will minimize banging and protect it as well. But MAKE SURE you only put it in the dryer for a short time. If you forget and dry it too long, the collar may not even fit on a chihuahua--so proceed at your own risk. Our collar shrank about 1/2" in 10 minutes, perfecto!
I have found that alternating between the snap collar and the head collar helps Cabana walk with less pulling. Maybe it keeps her from getting too used to the same kind of pressure.
Even after a brisk 45-minute walk (between 2-3 miles), sometimes, Cabana will still do her labby loops through our living room right afterwards! Like I said, she's high energy!
We usually walk Cabana fairly early, starting out between 7:00-7:30, to minimize the number of dogs we pass (since she's on food protocol, we go through a lot of kibble on our walks, and I need to save SOME for her meals!). This morning, though, there was a frost on the ground--chilly! I waited until closer to 8:00 to go on our walk, hoping it would warm up a bit--but even at that "late" hour, we didn't pass a single other dog. I guess Northern California dog owners are pretty thin-skinned! (I know the Utah folks are sniggering at us, too cold to walk with a mere light frost!)
Oh those pics of her running toward you really make me small! Sounds like things are going better. Glad she's doing so well with the extra efforts.
Such a cute high energy girl! Yes, Cricket was not real thrilled about walking in the snow yesterday. Its here to stay.
She can't help it..life is so exciting and you must be in a hurry to see everything (maybe she thinks that farting hedghog is in the house?)
Many people don't realize the Northern Ca can be very cold and that it has a much different climate the So Cal! One time, it was 25 degrees at my parents house in Clayton (in the East Bay, east of Walnut Creek) and 70 degrees in Cbus..in December!!! Yep, I grew up in So Cal, parents lived in No Cal and then moved here. No matter where you are, once you get accumstomed to the warm weather, you NEVER get acclamated to the cold weather! Living proof right here!!!