Stop the Chaos! The Power of a Calm Start to Your Dog’s Walks
As a dog trainer specialising in high-energy, “big feelings” dogs, I frequently work with clients who are trying to manage their young, energetic herding breeds – think Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and the like. These dogs are naturally full of energy and enthusiasm, which can make walks challenging, especially if they start out on the wrong foot.
Does your dog start their walk by pulling on the lead, barking at anything that moves, or generally forgetting that you exist as soon as you step out of the door? If so, you’re not alone. Many owners of young, high-energy dogs experience this, but the good news is, there are a few simple steps we can take to improve things – one of these is focusing on the pre-walk routine.
Why Pre-Walk Behaviors Matter
Before you even leave the house, your dog’s mental and physical state is already in motion. Imagine this: if your dog starts the walk already at an 8/10 on the excitement scale, it won’t take much to push them to a 10/10. This heightened excitement can lead to excessive pulling, barking, lunging at distractions, and overall chaos – making for a stressful, out-of-control walk.
However, if your dog starts the walk at a more manageable 3/10, they have a lot more room to build energy in a controlled way. This means they’re less likely to hit that “crazy” level right out of the gate, giving you more opportunity to guide them and enjoy a more relaxed and controlled walk together.
How to Create a Calm Pre-Walk Routine
The goal here is to help your dog find calm before you step out the door. With a little effort, you can create a pre-walk routine that gets your dog mentally prepared for the outing, lowering their excitement level so they can enjoy a more focused and enjoyable walk.
Here are some steps that we implement with a recent client and their young, over-exuberant border collie:
- Excitement “test”: we trained a system to test the dog’s excitement levels and soothe these when they were a little too high – this involved a combination of food skills and cues that could be used as “questions” to ask the dog how she was feeling. Walks commenced when she had access to her thinking brain!
- Teach self-regulation: we worked on teaching the dog how to get a little excited and then calm herself down – this requires emotional regulation, which is a skill that can be worked on!
- Calm behaviour = fun: dogs that have big feelings about “fun activities” like walks can really benefit from being taught that it is calm behaviour, as opposed to pushy, obnoxious behaviour, that gets them access to that fun stuff.
- Being harnessed up does not mean chaos: for this particular dog, having her harness put on was a cue that meant “go wild, we’re going outside”. We worked on teaching her that the harness, in fact, meant very little – no need for pacing, whining, or frantic energy!
The Benefits of a Calm Pre-Walk Routine
By taking the time to set your dog up for success with a pre-walk routine, you’ll likely notice several improvements:
- Less pulling and lunging: starting out calm means your dog is less likely to pull or get overly excited right away.
- Improved focus: a calmer mindset allows your dog to be more aware of their surroundings, making it easier for you to manage their behaviour.
- A more enjoyable walk for both of you: with less stress and more focus, both you and your dog will be able to enjoy a walk that feels more like a bonding experience than a battle.
By helping your dog start each walk in a calm way, you’re not just making the walk easier—you’re also teaching them valuable skills that will make everyday interactions smoother.
Final Thoughts
Training your young, high-energy dog is a journey, and small adjustments like a calm pre-walk routine can have a big impact. By helping your dog start their walk in a relaxed state, you’re setting them up for a better experience overall, while making your walks together more enjoyable and less stressful.
If you’re struggling with your high-energy dog’s behaviour on walks, remember that every dog is different, and sometimes the solution is as simple as slowing things down before you even leave the house. With a little patience and practice, you can help your dog channel their energy in a way that works for both of you.
If you’re ready to take the next step in training your young, energetic dog, I offer tailored support to help you manage your dog’s big feelings and high energy. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can work together!
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