Published on: 2026-09-06
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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Thematic meetings between cynologists and volunteers are held at the “Zoorassvet” and “Zelenograd” shelters for homeless animals of the State Budgetary Institution “Dorinvest.” They are dedicated to the topic of safe dog walking, socialization, and adaptation of animals. Following one of these meetings, the cynologist of the city shelter “Zoorassvet,” Olga Shevel, prepared recommendations that will help avoid common mistakes during walks, make them calm and safe, and preserve the health of the animals.
“We are dealing with defenseless animals that completely depend on human actions. Mistakes during a walk can lead to the dog running away, injury, or stress for both the pet and the person. That is why safety rules must become a habit,” noted Olga Shevel.
Do not approach unfamiliar dogs
The main rule emphasized by the cynologist is not to try to introduce your pet to other dogs you meet. Any unfamiliar person with an animal should be regarded as a potentially unpredictable situation. To avoid conflicts, the specialist recommends changing your route in advance and going around other dogs in a wide arc, preventing nose-to-nose encounters.
Check the equipment before the walk
Before going out, it is necessary to make sure that the collar, harness, and leash are securely fastened. The dog trainer does not recommend tying knots on the leash. Despite the common belief that they help to hold the dog, in fact, knots interfere with quickly adjusting the length of the leash and can injure the hand.
Be attentive on the route
Special caution must be exercised near building corners, turns, and exits from premises. Before passing such an area, a person should make sure the path is clear, and only then lead the dog through it. During the walk, it is important to constantly monitor the surrounding environment and not be distracted by the phone.
“During a walk, you literally need to look around 360 degrees. The sooner a person notices a potential danger, the easier it will be to change the route,” notes the specialist.
Using the phone is only allowed to take a picture of the dog, after which the device must be put away immediately. Reading the news or blogging during the walk may lead to creating an emergency situation.
It is prohibited to hand over a leash to a person under 14 years of age (according to Russian law and the internal regulations of city shelters). A child is physically unable to control a dog and is not responsible for its behavior. Even if a minor is simply holding the leash, the main control remains with an adult.
Swimming of dogs in city ponds is strictly prohibited. It can provoke demodicosis, weeping eczema, or fungal infections, so the pet will then need to have its fur thoroughly rinsed with running water.
Not to let the dog make decisions for the person
During a walk, the pet may stop, lie down on the ground, or try to change the route. According to dog trainer Olga Shevel, if the cause of such behavior is not stress or poor health, it is important to calmly and consistently continue moving, without reinforcing the undesirable behavior. If you allow the dog to dictate the terms of the walk, it will quickly get used to it. It is much more correct to calmly get the pet moving again and maintain rules that are clear to it.
Treats are part of training
The specialist reminds that a treat is not a way to feed a dog, but a tool of motivation. The reward should be small so that the animal maintains interest in interacting with the person. This approach helps not only to reinforce correct behavior but also reduces the pet’s anxiety level.
What not to do during a walk
A cynologist does not recommend walking with a pet against the flow of traffic. It is recommended to lead the dog on the left side — this complies with the general rules of moving along paths and allows you to cover the animal with your body if necessary. Using a leash that is too short for a large dog is dangerous due to the risk of losing balance, and an excessively long leash of five meters is unacceptable, as it does not allow you to quickly call the animal in case of danger and encourages the habit of pulling even harder.
Moreover, even during an ordinary walk, the principles of minimal training should be applied so that the dog learns to respond to simple signals and interact with the owner. According to Olga Shevel, it is precisely attentiveness, calmness, and consistency that make the walk safe and help the animal feel more confident.
Where to find a four-legged friend
You can get to know the animals from city shelters in advance and learn how to become a volunteer at such an institution through the service “Mospitomec” on the mos.ru portal. The catalog features over 1,500 animal profiles from urban and private shelters in Moscow, with detailed descriptions of their character, habits, and photos. To arrange a meeting with a pet you like, simply click the “Sign up” button and leave your contact details or get in touch with a volunteer by phone if it is listed on the animal’s profile.
The project is being implemented by the capital’s urban infrastructure complex and Moscow City Information Technology Department.
More useful information about pets, city shelters, and pets looking for owners can be found on the “Mospitomtsa” channels on “Dzen” and in Telegram.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.