Dog Walking Guidelines for Animal Shelters

No matter who the caregiver is, dogs need to be cared for. One aspect of ensuring a dog's overall health involves making sure that the dog receives proper exercise. Some dogs are walked by their owners, while other dogs in animal shelters are walked by staff members. For those dogs that are in animal shelters, there are specific dog walking guidelines that must be followed.

  1. Choose the Right Dog

    • Since most animal shelters rely on volunteers to help them, it is important for the volunteers to develop a relationship with the dogs. By visiting the animal shelter frequently, volunteers not only get familiar with the rules and regulations of dog walking, but begin to know which dogs they can handle well. Some volunteers can handle more excitable dogs, while others cannot. Most shelters prefer that their volunteers choose a dog that they feel comfortable walking.

    Leash the Dog

    • Before walking any shelter dog, it is important to make sure that the dog is appropriately leashed. This prevents the dog from straying and helps train the dog how to behave during the walk. Most shelters encourage their volunteers to reward the dog's good behavior while leashed. Having the dog understand how to behave while on a leash makes the dog more appealing to those wishing to adopt.

    Remain on the Property

    • Most animal shelters have their volunteers walk the dogs on the shelter's property, sometimes providing trails for the dog walks. Typically, there is a limit of thirty minutes per dog walking session. It is important to remain on the shelter's premises to ensure the dog's safety and well-being.

    Be a Conscientious Dog Walker

    • When it comes to behavior and how they interact with humans, no two dogs are the same. Consequently, shelter volunteers who walk dogs are usually encouraged to remember not to let the dog come in contact with any other dog or human. The dog is the volunteer's responsibility for that time period, and that privilege should not be handed off to somebody else. Volunteers should always wear comfortable shoes and clothing when walking and should remember to pick up after the dog.