Walking with Your Puppy for the First Time and How to Do It Properly

Unfortunately, you cant wait until the puppy has become accustomed to its new home before taking it for its first walk. Because especially in the first weeks, the little one needs to get out into the fresh air more often, at least four to five times a day – and at night, of course. In order to keep the stress of the new environment as low as possible, it is enough to take only a few steps outside the door in the first few days – provided, of course, that there is a suitable place to do its business. You should, however, put a lead and collar or harness on the puppy every time. This way it will get used to these accessories and will automatically associate them with fun.

Once the puppy has settled in, you can go for short walks in the surrounding area – 20 minutes at a time is enough at first. For a young dog, this time is pure excitement, as it is experiencing all this for the first time. Show the dog a meadow, a forest, a lake – but also roads and cars. You should never let your dog off the lead, especially in populated areas: Some puppies are still very skittish and suddenly run off. This can lead to dangerous situations for humans and animals.

Contact with other dogs, people and animals is desirable. However, this should result in positive experiences. The more different creatures the puppy gets to know, the more confident it will be later on. Your task is to make sure that your dog is not overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the walkers. It’s important to know that there is no such thing as automatic puppy protection. Socialised dogs will be delighted with the little one, but a dog with behavioural problems will bite even a puppy. If you meet a dog that reacts in an unfriendly manner, it is better to get out of the way. You should tell your dog that it is great and exciting “out there” and that there are great things to discover – so that it will become an enthusiastic walker in the future!