How to Walk a Dog in New York City

With so many things to see and smell in the Big Apple your furry friend will surely have a great time out there. But before you venture out to the city streets, there are some things you need to know in order to keep your fur baby's walk happy and safe.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog
• Collar
• Dog tags
• Dog license
• 6 foot leash
• Poop bags

1. Beware of what your dog is sniffing and tasting. Rat poison, anti-freeze and yes, good old fashioned poop are just some of the things your dog may find quite tasty but can be quite dangerous for them to ingest.

2. Keep your dog at least 4 feet next to you on crowded sidewalks. This will prevent any unforeseen accidents when the guy running for the bus doesn't see your poodle prancing several feet behind you. This is also quite necessary when crossing the street. With so many buses and SUVs out there, drivers may have a hard time noticing your little Chihuahua struggling to keep up with you.

3. Beware of unknown approaching dogs. Keep a tight grip on your dog's leash and ask the approaching owner if it's ok for the dogs to greet each other. If they say yes, slowly let your dog approach but always keep a tight grip on the leash just in case things don't go smoothly. If there's any hint of growling on anyone's part, gently pull your dog away and allow the other owner to walk away first.

4. Before entering a store, first ask the security guard at the door if it's okay for you and your dog to enter. Many stores such as Bloomingdales and Henri Bendel allow dogs to enter but others such as Lord & Taylor and some Duane Reade stores do not. It's always better to ask first just to prevent any uncomfortable and embarrassing situations.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your dog knows basic commands: sit, stay, heel.
• Always pick up the poop.
• Make sure that at least one tag on your dog's collar has its name, your name, address and phone number.
• Never let your dog walk unleashed. It's illegal and dangerous.
• Just like Joan Crawford and her wire hangers-NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES EVER! Retractable leashes have a tendency to get all tangled up and this could spell disaster when dogs are sniffing each other and then decide that they don't like each other.
• Never tie a dog's leash to a tree or lamppost while you run in to get a quick cup of coffee. Too many dogs have been kidnapped this way or worse yet, run off while their owners have left them alone for a few minutes.

Resources

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals