Cited (fined) for failing to walk your dog daily?

[Cheesenugget]

Good. I don't know about them being sentient beings but if you are a dog owner, there should not even be a need of a law or regulation to tell you to walk your dog(s). Even if it is for 10-15 minutes intervals, 3-4 times a day. The number of dog owners I meet nowadays have become so lazy.

"I don't have time"... Well, make time, hire a dog walker or drop it off at a doggie daycare.

"My dog pulls too hard/difficult to walk/does not listen and runs off"... No dogs can walk on a leash without some training. Some are easy to teach than others. But all doable, and there are harnesses (ie front clip works AWESOME, head harness is very effective too), and collars (not prong collars. While they can work only if you use them properly or it makes your dog worse). Research the breed of dog before purchase/adoption will give you an idea how active, big, and stubborn they can be when they need to be walked and train. All doable but need commitment. There are trainers who can be hired and assist with the training and using the proper harness/collar. And obviously, don't let your dog off the leash if it does not have come back to you when you call for him.

"It is raining/too hot"... Get an umbrella. Put on your rain coat. Stay in the shade. Wait until the weather clears a bit if going outside is not option. But do not put down a pee pad and give up on walking your dog.

"My dog is too aggressive".... That may be true, but is it dog aggression or fear aggression? Most dogs are fear aggressive, especially when they lack socialization with other dogs as puppies. They learn that barking and acting mean = you will remove him away from that scary looking dog across the street or that dog moves away from him, therefore... Success! The behavior repeats and your dog did not learn how to cope with its insecurity around new dogs. I find dogs that are truly aggressive are less common than those who are insecure, and their body language and bark are different (ie stiff body, focused stare, quiet or bark with show of teeth and growl, tail up, etc). When in doubt, go to an experienced trainer who can help.

If you have a medical issue or cannot walk your dog due to health reasons, ask a friend or neighbor for help. Many local dog walkers will do it for $15 for a short walk. Again, a short 10 minute stroll is better than nothing.

Dropping off a dog who was not walked all day at a local dog park spells disaster. So many dog fights have happened because a dog who was not socialized properly (no dog manners), was locked at home for 8+ hours with little to nothing to do, young and full of energy, will mess with the wrong dog who will not tolerate that type of behavior, or another insecure dog who is stressed out as it is.

Walking an animal restraint with a 6 foot long leash is supposed to be unpleasant (at first). Get a cat or something else if you can't walk your dog.

All this comes from my own personal experience as well as having trained dogs at rescues and other places. I have a hyperactive, in your face friendly lab mix and a very insecure, fearful street dog who is a pit mix. I had been kicked out training class when I was learning with my lab, been pulled around like a rag doll, and my dogs have been attacked at dog parks and loose neighborhood dogs. I myself had been bitten at least twice during training someone else's dogs. In the end, walking your dogs-no matter how simple it seems-helps. So many owners nowadays would rely on pee pads or their small backyards and skip the walking. The dog needs stimulation. A walk around the block may seem repetitive to the human but not so for the dog.

If your dog is misbehaving, training the mind is half the work. Exercise is very important for their physical and mental wellbeing. They learn better, stays calmer, and just an overall better pet. Walking the dog also benefits the owner mentally and physically, and helps grow the bond between dog and owner.

Sorry, rant over. It makes me especially mad one of the top reasons people give up their dogs is because of behavioral issues, including but limited to leash pulling.