Gentle Beast

Choosing the right dog is all about fit. Sometimes, a dog comes into your life and you find a way to make it work. Other times, you can afford to be more deliberate. Either way…I love all dogs, even the high-energy super social loudmouths. 🐶 🔊

Tell me what I’m wrong about in the comments below!

1. Corner: Even calm dogs can lash out when another dog suddenly appears from behind a closed door. Keeping your body between your dog and everyone else helps them feel more comfortable.

2. Stop: This is a safety cue for off-leash dogs. Use it to stop your dog from entering dangerous areas. Adding an implied Down-Stay teaches your dog to wait for you.

3. Wait: Your dog should be waiting for you at thresholds like elevator doors, sidewalks, gates, etc. Gates and doors can shut unexpectedly, leaving you and your dog stranded on opposite sides. Dogs also do not understand traffic flow/cars and are harder for drivers to see.

4. Heel: When navigating a high-traffic area with a lot of distractions, putting your dog in a tight, focused Heel can help you both move through it quickly. You can always restrain your dog using the leash, but that often increases stress and tension. This is also more respectful of strangers’ boundaries, as not everyone is comfortable being approached. Heel isn’t the same as loose leash walking, which is more appropriate for regular walks.

5. Leave It/Drop It: Being proactive about training your dog to avoid chicken bones and other garbage can keep your walks more enjoyable and prevent future ER trips. This keeps walks a shared experience, not occasions for you and your dog to fight over a chicken bone.

6. Stairs: While most dogs encounter stairs naturally, dogs that live in high rises may not use staircases outside of emergency situations. Some dogs are also leery of entering the stairwells.

7. Go Potty: This is a basic cue for service dogs in training that pets can learn easily. Even if you don’t need your dog to potty on command, be consistent about waiting for your dog to potty close to home before starting the walk. It’s a QOL upgrade.

8. Chill Out: People-watching in dog-friendly areas is one of the stealth joys of having a dog in any urban area. Even if you prefer to sit in the park instead of on the sidewalk, make a habit of teaching your dog that when you’re sitting on a bench, they should be lying down. Plus it’s fantastic for your dog’s socialization and boosts confidence.

Do you have to walk your dog every day?

Yes and no.

Walks are one of the easiest, most accessible methods of providing your dog with mental and physical stimulation, but they’re not the only way. You can be flexible about how you meet your dog’s needs, as long as they do get met.

On the other end of the spectrum are dogs who get plenty of walks and exercise but still seem bored and restless. For them, walks aren’t enough. And that’s where dog sports come in.

Dog sports give your dog a way of fulfilling their natural instincts and finding purpose outside of being a pet. It strengthens the bond between you and your dog - after all, dogs evolved in part to work alongside humans.

If you’re interested in trying out dog sports but there’s no trainer nearby, you can always look into self-training. Many dog sports rely on your dog having a natural drive for these behaviors. Try lots of sports to see which one works best for you and your dog. Remember: both you and your dog should be having fun.