Tag: invermere dog walking

A Recipe for Calm

Posted on by Invermere Pets

When I walk my dog I think about making a calm sandwich… it’s similar to the campsite philosophy… bring your dog home calmer than when you started.

My recipe – start with 10-15 minutes slow, on leash, do some leash drills or figure 8s to make sure your dog is in a heel or follower state. If you must add some high energy activity add that after a calm leash start. Use structured play or take breaks between frisbee throws to help with impulse control. Take another 15-20 minutes of leash walking to cool down and return home in a calm state.

A physically tired dog is NOT the same as a mentally fulfilled and calm dog. If you use high energy physical exercise and your main activity to tire out your dog, you will have to do more every day to meet their endurance. Your dog will just get better, fitter, faster, stronger and it will take a longer bike ride, and more throws of a stick, and they will just keep demanding more and more. 

I learned all this the hard way, I have an amped up adrenaline junkie dog with a lean physique! But I promise you, my dog is as tired, if not MORE, after a slow leash walk around town. She has to work her brain to pay attention to me. She has to think about our walk, where we are, and who is around us. When our walks are calm and slow, she maintains that vibe in the house for hours after. All dogs need good physical exercise, but draining their brain makes them a different kind of tired, and a calm tired is a good tired.

Make sure you are choosing more activities from the Calm column below…

Activities that Create Calm:

Slow Leash Walk
Appropriate potty and sniff time
Threshold Training
Crate Time
Structured Play
Chewing a benebone
Place Training
Calm Affection
Clear directions, say it once
Parallel Walks with a friend


Activities that Build Excitement:

Off-leash Chaos
Excessive Sniffing or Marking
Jumping in the Car
Free Roaming in the House
Access to Toys
Treats, food puzzles or games
Following you around the house
Excited Greetings
Too much talk, conversation
Rowdy Playdates, Daycare, Dog Parks

Happy dog walking!
: ) Shannen

Leash Reactivity Often Starts at Home

Posted on by Invermere Pets

Leash reactivity and behaviour issues don’t start on the walk, they begin in the home. If your dog is bratty or demanding, those pushy behaviours in the house will continue once you head outside for a walk. Your dog might pull you to every spot to pee or sniff, bark or lunge at other dogs, or demand play every minute. These issues should be addressed in the home before you can improve the walk.

Here’s a few changes you can make in the home to build leadership, create boundaries and add structure.

1. More crate time. Feed your dog in the crate then let them rest for an hour after each meal. Crate time after a walk or exercise will help your dog rest/decompress and reset their nervous system.

2. Wait for eye contact. Adding a few extra seconds to wait for eye contact before a for a meal, at thresholds (see #4), for a walk or playtime (see #5). Your dog will look to you as a leader.

3. No furniture privileges. Keep your dog off the bed or couches. Teach them “Place” to stay on their cot or bed instead of following you around the house. (Use a leash in the house if needed)

4. Threshold training. Have your dog sit and wait at any door in/out of the house, car or crate. This will help with impulse control so they don’t bolt excitedly out the door.

5. Structured play. Dogs need to play! Adding structure to playtime will increase leadership and engagement. Use a long line to have your dog wait before running to fetch the ball. A long line will also ensure they come back to you when called and it doesn’t turn into a game of “keep away.”

Once you’re ready to put that leash on remember our Top 10 Loose Leash Tips and go for a walk! If you are actively training your dog to stop pulling you have to be consistent. If they are pulling, STOP, do not more forward. On your first few walks you might not get very far, but keep at it, your dog will learn that a tight leash does not get them where they want to go.

Bonus tip! No rough play or wrestling with other dogs. Skip the dog park or play dates and focus on improving your loose leash heel! Keep up the great work!

Walking a dog with a loose leash

Happy dog walking!
: ) Shannen

10 Loose Leash Training Tips

Posted on by Invermere Pets

When Mavi was a puppy she pulled on the leash, so I bought her a harness. That didn’t stop the pulling. As her reactivity increased I knew I had to go back to the basics and build a solid foundation of skills. One of those skills is the loose leash and I have been using these training tips to help improve our walks. Having her in a follow state means she is not up front leading and being on-guard. When I’m leading the walk she is more relaxed and better able to manage her reactions.

Dog Walking Invermere BC

Here’s the list we put together for 10 Loose Leash Training Tips…

1. Choose the right gear. A slip leash is most recommended, or you can try a martingale collar and leash

2. Choose which side you prefer your dog to be on and then practice keeping them on that side

3. Relax your shoulder and arm, your arm should be able to hang and swing as normal

4. Have a firm grasp of the leash without holding it too tight – your dog will feel your energy and tension

5. If your dog is pulling, stop moving forward / walking in a straight line (see #6)

6. Change direction, walk in an unpredictable pattern – zig zag, serpentine or do quick 180 degree turns and cross in front of the dog

7. Slow down the walk – like extra slow… then go even slower!

8. Talk less – use the leash and your body language to communicate with your dog

9. Take a few steps, wait for your dog to sit and repeat! This should also encourage eye contact and engagement from your dog

10. Be patient and calm. For the first few walks you might not get very far, but they will improve with practice

(Bonus tip) Have fun! Changing habits (for you and your dog) is challenging but try to have fun and enjoy working with your dog! Need more help? Contact us for dog walks or training.

Happy dog walking!
~Shannen : )