
Let your dog enjoy the smells.
Instead of rushing through your walk, allow your dog time to sort through interesting smells he discovers. For senior canines or those with limited mobility, the activity can allow enrichment without needing to cover much ground.
Just what kind of smells can interest a dog? One popular activity is checking their " pee mail" (other dogs' eliminations) and leaving behind their own messages. When a dog sniffs a spot, he is figuring out the history and current state of the area, including information like who has been there, what they were doing and where they went.
Be present.
Many dogs may ignore the person on the other end of the leash because in the moment, their surroundings are more interesting than their human.But one of the precursors to a dog’s inattention can be the distraction and disconnect of his human. When a person is on a cell phone, talking to someone else or mentally elsewhere, important moments can be missed.
If your dog engages and the moment of connection is missed, such as giving you eye contact or orienting to be closer to you, these rewardable moments can go unreinforced and subsequently become more infrequent. Being present with your dog, free of distractions, is essential for expecting the same from your pooch.
Once you're engaged, getting your dog’s attention can become easier by rewarding moments of focus and therefore adding interest to the walk.