As to which side the dog goes on, show and hunting dogs are trained to stay on their human's left side, but for most dogs, it doesn't matter. Experts, however, suggest you pick a side — left or right — and keep to it so that the dog doesn't accidentally trip you going back and forth.
Walking your pet on the left side teaches your dog that you are the dominant member of the “pack.” Many alpha dogs love to pull their owners and this can be both frustrating and allow your pet to dominate you. This can lead to various issues in the future.
“Heel” is traditionally on your left side for obedience and rally competitions. Hold your treat hand at your chest. This will prevent luring (dog just following the food) and jumping while walking if your treat hand is just out of reach.
Finally, teach your dog to walk to one side. Preferably, we would choose the left side as here in Australia, pedestrians walk on the left side of the path, just as cars drive on the left side of the road.
It is Just the Way They Move
Sometimes dogs simply learn to walk on two legs growing up. Many learn as pups (probably from an older dog) and never grow out of it. Some breeds may even be more prone to sideways walking, especially if they have a shorter body length than other dogs.
In reality, the correct side is based on watching the dog from behind. In other words, there is only one right and one left side. Picture yourself on all fours. Your right is the same side as your dog's right.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.
On footpaths, they must keep to the left and give way to other pedestrians. On bicycle and pedestrian paths, they must use the bicycle section and keep out of the way of bicycles.
Walk in Front of Your Dog
Walking in front of your dog allows you to be seen as the pack leader. Conversely, if your dog controls you on the walk, he's the pack leader. You should be the first one out the door and the first one in. Your dog should be beside or behind you during the walk.
This is essential to their well-being and fulfilment. We are recommending that this should happen on your terms. You should be able to walk your dog by your side when necessary, release them to investigate or play when appropriate, and then call them back to be by your side again.
The command “heel” does not mean just to walk; it means maintaining a position on my left side, and default to a sit if I'm not moving. For my dogs, heel position is on my left side; for some people, it's having the dog on their right side. Either is fine.
We have our dog's heel to our left because this is a right handed world. In the old days, when men still wore swords, it was necessary to mount horses from the left side for safety purposes. With the swords hanging on the left side (for right handed riders), it was easier and safer to mount from the left.
Place your treat hand on the side of your dog's face and move your hand away (to the left when your dog is on your left side and to the right when your dog is on your right side). Treat and praise your dog when they move their head in the direction that your hand is moving. Repeat on the opposite side.
A few things that cause front leg limping in a dog include something stuck to their paw pad, a broken toenail, a cut on the paw, elbow injury, ligament damage, arthritis, or even a soft tissue injury from running, playing, or being startled.
They are Scared of Something
The first thing to do when addressing this issue is to find the source of their fear. This can include noises, a trash can, a sign, a scent you didn't notice or another dog walking by. If the source is a specific smell or sight, they may stop in the same spot every time you walk by it.
To start: Fill your pocket or treat pouch with treats. Decide what side you'd like the dog to walk on, and hold a few treats on that side of your body. For example, if you'd like your dog to walk on the left side, hold treats in your left hand.
Don't stare, shout at, or loom over a dog – all these things can seem confrontational to a dog, which might cause them to react or be afraid. Approach side on in a calm, gentle manner.
Planning on walking dogs in hot weather? It's generally safe in temperatures of up to 19°C (68°F) but be careful when the mercury rises above this. Even at temperatures as low as 20°C (70°F) dogs are at risk of heat stroke. Heat stroke in dogs is essentially a high temperature not caused by a fever.
Pedestrians must always walk against traffic. Walk as close to the left side of the road possible using the shoulder or sidewalk, if available. When attempting to cross, always look left, right, and left again. Use crosswalks and obey crossing signals.
Stay to the right – This is the number one rule of walking. Staying to the right will help you and everyone else avoid those awkward moments on the sidewalk when you don't know who is going to go left or right. This is also helpful for avoiding collisions as you turn a corner.
The short answer: yes. In most destinations, travelers should walk on the right side of the sidewalk. Just imagine that each sidewalk is its own, thin little road. Exceptions include Japan, where you should actually walk on the left.
Dogs choose their favorite people based on positive interactions and socialization they have shared in the past. Like humans, dogs are especially impressionable as their brains develop, so puppies up to 6 months old are in their key socialization period.
“The main reason dogs follow us to the bathroom is because they like to be where we are,” Dr. Coppola explains. “Dogs are obligate social animals, which means socialization is a genuinely natural behavior for them. This is part of what makes them such fantastically loyal companions.”
Signs your dog imprinted on you.
They follow you around closely. They mirror your behaviors. They follow your commands more readily than they do other people's. They check in with you frequently when in new environments or situations.
Understanding Paw Preference
However, many experts believe that dogs have a more equal chance than humans of being either righties or lefties. And while many dogs have dominant paws, many also have no preference between their right and left paws.