When I walk dogs, I get into a zone where it can be hard to carry on a conversation. Not because I’m out of breath. It’s literally difficult for me to form sentences.
When I’m walking with a dog I’m hyper-focused on the physical conversation we’re having via the leash, and managing our immediate environment to the extent that’s possible. Speaking interrupts the flow between myself and my canine companion, and distracts them from the lesson.
Many dogs who are reactive while on-leash are more likely to react to a “trigger” (other dogs, skateboards, joggers, etc.) when I say something to approaching humans or dogs. When I smile and nod without making any sound, I experience far fewer reactions, and the intensity of the reactions that still happen is usually diminished.
This is why I encourage people to NOT use their phone, listen to music, have a conversation, etc., during a walk with their dog. If your attention is focused on something other than the leash conversation, your body’s likely communicating that you’re not paying attention, whether or not you’re aware of it.
With puppies and dogs that are overstimulated at the sight of birds, trash trucks, squirrels, blowing leaves, etc., if you’re not “listening” to them via the leash, they have no incentive to listen to you. The best you can hope for in that situation is to hold on for dear life, and hopefully keep moving.
No learning takes place once a dog is overstimulated, and the precious seconds lost between the dog’s reaction and your ability to focus your attention on them quash any hope of influencing their immediate behavior in a meaningful way.
Walking a dog becomes a bonding experience when we make the effort to be present.
With every step the human holding the leash is informing the dog whether they’re safe, whether their human is paying attention, and whether their human is encouraging or discouraging their current behavior. By being focused on your dog and your immediate surroundings, your leash conversation becomes intentional and highly influential.
The greatest lesson our dogs can teach us is to live in the moment.
Dee Green has been a professional dog trainer and canine behavior consultant for more than 20 years. She specializes in puppies up to 18 months, and fearful, anxious and reactive dogs of all ages.
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