Having lived in the suburbs for all her life, my furry friend found herself in the Big Apple for a getaway over the long weekend. There were new sights, sounds, and scents. It was a fun time for her, but a lot of work went into preparing for the trip. Kimberly Freeman, founder of City Dog Expert lifestyle services, gave me a crash course on city living with dogs. Freeman has been training dogs for more than seven years, and runs a training company calledCity Sit Stay in New York City. Below are some helpful tips from her on navigating city life with dogs and making it a fun experience:
1. Staying Safe on the Streets: There is definitely more trash in the city. “Pizza crusts and chicken bones seem to be attracted to the city streets like a magnet. The easiest way to deal with these issues is to teach your dog some basic impulse control. Teach your dog to leave the street snacks alone,” said Freeman. She also suggested taking treats with you on a walk and reward the dog for not getting distracted.
2. Keeping Dogs Clean: Always make sure to wipe down the dog’s coat and paws after walks. A quick dip in the shower will wash away the dirt after playtime at the dog run. “This prevents them from licking something "unsavory" and bringing outside dirt into your home,” said Freeman.
3. Dog Walking at Night: Walking in the city is perfectly safe, but it’s always good to be prepared. Freeman suggested using a light up color so that cyclists, other pedestrians and cars can see the dog. Also, since it is a lot harder to see what is ahead of you at nighttime, keep the dog close to you so you can prevent bad behavior such as picking something up off the street or peeing against a light pole. “A lot of electrocutions happen to dogs due to this,” said Freeman.
4. Dog Walking Etiquette: Freeman said to never allow dogs to approach strangers. Even though your dog loves greeting people, not everyone loves Fido. Always ask if it is okay for your dog to say hi, especially around children and elderly people. “The ideal way to approach someone is to have your dog sit until the other person has given the dog permission to say hello,” said Freeman.
5. Meeting Strangers: Dogs are cute and sometimes many dog lovers in the city don’t think to ask before approaching your dog. It is up to you to protect the dog. “It is especially important to speak up if the dog is reactive to strangers, you are training your dog or you don’t feel the situation is right (if the person is drunk),” said Freeman. She suggested that if someone starts approaching your dog and you do not want them to, explain from afar the situation. Saying things like, "I am sorry, I am training my puppy", "this dog is leash aggressive", or "my senior dog is super shy" etc work perfectly.
6. Getting Proper Exercise: Lack of green spaces in the city can put a damper on things, but don’t let that be an excuse to not exercise your dog. Find dog runs near you. Figure out off-leash hours at the nearest park. Freeman recommended assessing the situation at the dog park before taking your dog. “Are people paying attention to their dogs? Are dog walkers with 10 dogs using it for their personal business? Are people interacting with each other or mostly on their cell phones? Is it clean and escape proof? If you find somewhere that you feel comfortable, take your pup and see if he likes it,” she said.
7. Socializing Your Dog: “A great way to socialize and exercise your dog is to find breed specific Meetup groups,” said Freeman. Most dog trainers offer trainer supervised sessions and there are various websites for dog activities ranging from doggy yoga, hiking and fashion parties. Your dog will have fun while you meet likeminded people.
8. Keeping Dogs Entertained at Home: Whether you have a small or a big dog, it’s essential to keep him mentally stimulated while you are at work. “Boredom buster toys give your pet the opportunity to use their brain to work out how to sniff out toys and play games.
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