How To Start Having Calmer Walks With Your Dog
- dogsthatfit
- Dec 2
- 3 min read
If your walks feel stressful, embarrassing or harder than they should be, you are not alone. Many dogs find the outside world overwhelming. New smells, people, dogs and movement can push them into excitement or anxiety before you even leave the driveway.
The good news is that calmer walks do not start with long training sessions or perfect loose lead skills. They start with two simple foundations that help your dog feel more connected and less overwhelmed on the lead.
These are the same foundations I teach inside my Calm Walks programs, and they work for dogs of all ages and breeds.
Here is how you can begin today.
Why so many dogs struggle on walks
Most dogs pull or become distracted for completely normal reasons. The outside world is full of stimulation. Your dog is not wrong or naughty. They are simply trying to make sense of everything happening around them.
Common reasons walks feel difficult include:
Over excitement
Anxiety or uncertainty
Habitual pulling from early walks
Disconnect from the handler
Difficulty filtering environmental noise
The solution is not more control or firmer equipment. It is teaching your dog how to feel safe, connected and able to think while on the lead.
That starts with two foundation skills.
Foundation 1: Softening into leash pressure
Many dogs learn to lean into the lead without even realising it. Owners often try to walk forward while their dog pulls, which unintentionally teaches the pulling to continue.
Softening into pressure teaches the opposite. It teaches your dog that relaxing and moving with you is the easiest and most rewarding choice.
A calm dog who does not brace against the lead is already halfway to a loose lead walk.
This simple idea alone reduces tension, improves communication and helps your dog slow down.
Foundation 2: Teaching an attention noise
The second foundation is a gentle sound that tells your dog to turn to you. Not a command, not shouting and not a sound repeated over and over. Just a single noise that means one thing:
“Check in with me.”
This interrupts scanning, prevents your dog from getting too far ahead mentally and helps you guide them before they lose focus. It creates micro moments of connection that grow into calmer, more controlled walks over time.
When your dog can respond to leash pressure and turn to you calmly, every walk becomes easier.
Why these two skills create calmer walks
Together, these foundation skills start to change the whole picture:
Your dog’s nervous system begins to relax
Pulling reduces naturally
You avoid the spiral of frustration
Your dog checks in more often
You get focus without having to raise your voice
Walks feel more controlled and less chaotic
Your dog becomes easier to guide around distractions
This is the starting point for loose lead walking and a calmer life with your dog. You do not need to master everything in one go. These small changes add up very quickly.
Want a step-by-step guide on Foundation 1&2?
I put these two foundations into a short, easy to follow PDF called the Calmer Walks Starter Guide. It shows you exactly how to teach both skills at home and how to begin using them on walks.
It is perfect for:
Puppies
Lead pullers
Over excited dogs
Nervous dogs
Anyone wanting calmer, more connected walks
You can download it free here:
Once you have it, you will also get access to my newsletter where I share more ways to help your dog feel settled and confident outside.
Final thought
You do not need harsh equipment or long training sessions to enjoy calmer walks. You only need the right starting point. With gentle guidance and clear communication, your dog can learn to walk with you instead of against the world.
If you want personalised support, feel free to book a free 15 minute chat to talk about your dog’s needs.
You and your dog deserve walks that feel enjoyable, not stressful.
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