Guide lines for walking dogs

When I walk the dogs, they're so pleased to be out of the kennels, that they want to forage and sniff around.I'm never sure whether to just let them enjoy that freedom or whether to encourage them to walk to heel so that they give a better impression to would be adopters? I'm sure it's sensible to do a bit of both, but in the short time they're out, that's not easy. How do other walkers feel ?

I feel exactly the same and I do a bit of both too. There is only being walked toward the rough grass that I don't allow, apart from that a good sniff around to get to know the other dogs smells etc... must be heaven for them. Good question, I'd be interested in others views too.

Hi, i find that the most important bit is the getting the dog out of the kennel.....as calmly as possible....talking and fussing gets the dog excited ( even more than they are )....making the dog wait at the kennel gates....a let off in the pen..with or without balls.....to get some energy out and then on to the walk.....good start i feel.....x8)

I think boundaries are just as important with changing volunteers and staff walking dogs as if they were your own dogs at home. I understand that getting a dog to walk to heel just isn't really likely to happen as it is more important that the dog lets off some steam than speding half of its precious minutes sitting still before going 2 paces, pulling, sitting, waiting, 2 paces etc - which will work well at home, but even at home you make sure the dog has run off excess energy before you start training.

From the fosterers point of view - I feel personally, the most important thing to teach the dogs is to sit and wait - be that for a lead to go on/off or the favourite - waiting for their dinner bowl, but that said, I am not daft enough not to realise that making each dog on the block wait adds extra time to the feeding trip, but maybe one dog could be chosen to learn it and then once he/she has that off-pat it could be another's turn. Missy did it really well, and understanding the wait and hand lifted command is a fantastic start for me and obviously would be for adopters too- so well done to whoever taught Missy - thank you x