05/15/2026
Reflections from a Dog Trainer: What If Walks Were Actually for the Dog? 🐾🐶
As I was walking through Wildwood Metropark with my dog, I realized how joyful and easy it was to stroll through the park with him — not only for myself, but for him too. I think part of our success during outings comes from the fact that he has more freedom and agency on walks than most dogs do.
I believe that if I’m taking my dog for a walk, it should be just as much for him as it is for me. Dogs aren’t naturally built to walk in a straight line, move slowly beside us, and ignore every interesting smell along the way. They want to stop, sniff the flowers, investigate the trail, and take in the world around them. Walking perfectly at our side for the entire walk sounds dreadfully boring for a dog.
As a dog trainer, I let my dog walk in front of me (surprisingly, this statement has been controversial to some!). He gets to stop and sniff and sometimes even follow his nose. He can p*e on any tree we pass. Most importantly, he gets to enjoy his walk! That doesn’t mean we don’t have boundaries or rules. He certainly can’t run amok or cause chaos in the park, and I’m not interested in having my arm ripped out of its socket because he wants to investigate something across the trail.
My dogs have a few simple rules: sit or walk by my side, in a heel position when asked — usually when passing people or dogs on the trail, stay in position while I take a cute picture of him, and walk without tension on the leash. Granted, I usually walk him on a longer line (around 15 feet), which gives him the freedom to sp*ed up, slow down, or stop without constantly creating leash tension.
These skills didn’t come pre-programmed for Meatloaf, and they don’t come naturally to most dogs either. The reason Meatloaf responds the way he does is because we’ve practiced. A lot. In many different environments, and I’ve stayed consistent in what I’m teaching him. He’s also learned that listening to me is rewarding.
In return for following my rules, Meatloaf gets to be a dog. He gets to stop and sniff, climb on logs, rocks, and tree stumps (one of his favorite activities), walk ahead of me, behind me, or off to the side.
And honestly, I think that balance is what makes our walks so enjoyable for both of us. When we allow dogs appropriate freedom and teach them how to navigate that freedom successfully, walks stop feeling like a constant battle of control. And at the end of the day, that’s the kind of relationship I want with my dog.
- Rachel
