When we are inside on beautiful, warm days, the outside calls to us, and it’s easy to jump off our couches and take our pups for a long walk. However, in the cold month of January, it can understandably be a little more difficult to drag yourself out of your cozy home, and dog walks may feel more like a chore than a good time. That’s the point behind January’s designation as Walk Your Dog Month. During these coldest days of the year, we all need a little motivation to get outside regularly with our pets. And it’s not too late to make this a New Year’s resolution, too (Read More)
How To Bring the Fun Back to Your Winter Walks
“Some winter days, dog walks can feel like more of a chore than a good time. However, it’s one of the most critical times to walk your dog. In fact, January is National Walk Your Dog Month. During these coldest and shortest days of the year, we all need an excuse to jazz up the daily stroll with the pup and get outside regularly with our pets.”
THE DOG PEOPLE have some ideas to help reinvigorate your routines and focus on good dog-walking behaviors. Check out “How To Bring the Fun Back to Your Winter Walks,” by Nia Martin.
Pet-iquette for Dog Walking on Local Trails
Dogs are welcome on most of Branford’s trails, but please be respectful of other people, and stay away from sensitive habitats.
- Keep your dog leashed or under very close supervision at all times. Don’t bring a dog you can’t control on the trails.
- Leash or hold your dog if other trail users approach. Many people, including other dog owners, are apprehensive about loose dogs and resent dog owners who are inconsiderate of their feelings.
- Don’t allow your dog to chase wildlife or trample in sensitive areas. Keeping your dog on a leash not only protects ground-nesting birds or other wildlife that inhabit these preserves, but it also protects your dog.
- Please pick up after your dog. Do not leave plastic bags of waste.
Keep an eye out for “There’s No Such Thing as the Poop Fairy: 5 Things to Remember When You Walk in the Woods,” posted at local trail heads in Branford. (Published by Three Chairs Publishing.)
BLT Property Use Guidelines that includes maintaining close control of dogs and picking up dog poop. Read them here.
Content borrowed with gratitude from American Humane Society, Countryside Veterinary Hospital (Chelmsford, MA), The Dog People/Rover, Lyme Land Trust (Lyme, CT), and Kestrel Land Trust (Amherst, MA 01002).
