Massive benefits of a dog walk in the wilderness of Melbourne
This doesn't mean going somewhere where they will have a chance to chase wild animals. It doesn't mean an actual hunt where they will kill something. It means where they can experience real nature and get in touch with the earth, with how the other dogs deal with the wilderness. If your dog has any kind of unnatural phobia, here is where you will most likely find out. But of course the real purpose of this is to let your dog have a great time. For it to be motivated to run and sniff, to learn about its environment, in a non sanitised dog park.
A lot of people would not trust their dog to do this safely. and the shame is that is exactly what they should be trying to work towards their dogs doing. As long as the wilderness is not near any busy roads or large predator animals, this is the best medicine to any dog neurosis. A social dog, a healthy dog will really relish the chance to explore natural smells.
Limitations of a wild dog walk
The only reason I don't do this more often in winter is easy access to the areas and the number of dogs I have in a pack. Oh that as well as the owner concerns about their dogs. But the responsible dog walker will know if a dog is ready to be off lead in a dog park or in a semi wild area. A dog that is walked regularly off lead in a dog park and is social and has good recall will handle this situation so well, it will be the highlight of their year.People forget that dogs come from wild animals (wolves) and a lot of their needs just cant be satisfied by a stroll around the urban block, on lead. This is simulated, safe freedom. This is clearing the dog walker and the dogs head. This is a dog being all that a dog can be.
Doing this once a month and not taking out a dog regularly throughout the week is not the solution, this is just an extra special time for a dog.
