Second Chance: How Hard Is It to Walk a Dog?

18 May Second Chance: How Hard Is It to Walk a Dog?

Second Chance Humane Society’s Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shops have been serving San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties for 27 years. Call 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the emergency response, community medical, spay/neuter, volunteer, or other services.

View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Donate here.

Go here for more options from Second Chance.

Walking peacefully along a path with your best friend you are enjoying the fresh air; your dog is sniffing the grass and greeting other dogs. That is what every human hopes for when you venture out and about. Sometimes, things don’t quite work out. Walking a dog can be one of life’s greatest joys, but it also can be stressful, anxiety-inducing, and downright infuriating if your dog is not well-trained on a leash.

Pulling on the leash is one of the most common challenges of walking a dog. We dogs get excited. There is so much to see! You are a slowpoke who wants to walk rather than run and you want to stay on the path?! What are you thinking? Young dogs, and those who have not been properly leash trained pull, strain, jerk, and otherwise make like you’re attached to a runaway train. That is not only annoying, it can also be dangerous. The dog can break loose, pulling the leash from your hand. They may run away or venture into traffic. An out-of-control leashed dog can also injure you. They can get the leash wrapped around your legs, causing a fall. Or a strong dog can pull so hard as to cause an injury to your arm.

“I think I’ll stop here. I’m done. I’ll just lie down in the middle of the sidewalk.” Have you ever walked a dog who stubbornly just gives up? Sometimes we’re perfectly content to stay put, while you are wondering how to convince us to finish what we started. This scenario is one where you feel helpless, frustrated, angry, and embarrassed (surely your neighbors are watching as you beg your dog to stand up).

Dogs will surely see other dogs while out on their walks. That can either be a happy greeting between friends, or your dog may react fearfully or aggressively. They may politely sniff and wag, or the hair may stand up on their neck, they may growl or bark, and they may even lunge at the other dog. A typically peaceful dog can experience a personality change when in unfamiliar situations, making you nervous about taking them out into the world.

Second Chance volunteers and staff work with every one of us shelter dogs on our leash manners, but some take longer than others to learn. Which is why we offer low-cost dog training classes at Second Chance, for those dogs who just need more work (or just need to start work). Your dogs can be in these classes, whether they are adopted through Second Chance or not. It is part of Second Chance mission of keeping pets and people together.

If you need help with leash manners or other basic obedience to help your dog give the shelter a call at (970)626-2273. The next session starts June 1, 2022.

Chipeta

Hi, I’m Chipeta. I’m a husky and I’m about 3-years-old. I am incredibly sweet once I get to know you! For a husky, I’m fairly quiet. I love to go for walks and hang out in the yard. I can be a bit picky about my dog friends.

AND… To continue the new Second Chance Highlights section we wanted to share the following:

Second Chance has X-ray in the Clinic!

As we expand and improve our Medical Clinic facility and services, we are thrilled to announce that we now have our x-ray machine up and running! We can now use this diagnostic tool for our shelter pets and community pets who come to us for low cost veterinary care.
The x-ray was a generous donation from Dr Allison Branson in Telluride when she closed her clinic. She also donated exam tables and other valuable equipment that will help us help more pets.

Stay tuned as we will be sharing updates on our clinic projects in the upcoming newsletters and on our social media.

Paws for Art:

Have you shopped at our gallery in Ridgway?

If you’re not familiar with Paws for Art, it’s a great little space where we sell donated art, antiques, collectibles and memorabilia to benefit our programs and help our pets.

Each month, the gallery theme changes, offering a wonderful reason to stop by and see what’s new! The month of May offers Asian art, antiques, and collectibles. From an ornate tea set to a large Chinese scroll, you’re sure to find something you’d like to take home with you.

Paws for Art Gallery is right across from Second Chance Thrift Store in Ridgway.

Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday from noon – 4 pm (or by request).