Walking the Dog You Have, in the World You’re In
Loose leash walking isn’t about control. It’s about conversation. And right now, you and your dog may be talking AT each other, rather than WITH each other.
If your walks feel like a constant struggle, it’s easy to blame your technique, your timing, or your dog’s temperament. But sometimes, the issue isn’t how you’re walking, it’s where and when. Environmental factors like noise, foot traffic, wildlife activity, heat, or even the time of day can dramatically change your dog’s behavior on leash.
Building a strong relationship with your dog goes beyond them simply listening to you. It means you’re also listening to your dog. Both your and your dog need real-life skills and strategies that work for you as a team. Walking calmly is about a shared trust and responsiveness. When you notice your dog’s discomfort and adjust the walk accordingly, you’re showing your dog that you’re paying attention. That you see them. That you care. And that builds trust.
Most dogs are not pulling because they’re ignoring you, but because they’re over threshold. A squirrel darts by. A car backfires. The sidewalk is filled with people moving fast. These things aren't excuses, they’re part of your dog’s reality. Their nervous system is responding in real time to a world that feels too much, too fast, or too unfamiliar.
In these moments, your dog isn’t failing leash walking. They’re responding to an environment that’s too loud, too crowded, or too unpredictable. A calmer walk might not come from a new harness or stricter rules, it might come from a quieter trail, a slower time of day, or simply giving your dog more space to process what’s around them.
This is where our BASICS Framework can guide you:
Awareness asks us to pause and consider: What is this environment like for my dog right now?
Success means using that information to make thoughtful adjustments to your plan so that both of you can experience a calmer, more connected walk.
Bonding is built in the process, too. When your dog learns that you notice their signals and respond with empathy, trust deepens, and walks shift from power struggle to partnership.
This is not about “giving in” or “showing your dog who is in charge”!. That’s outdated B.S. This is about creating conditions for both of you to succeed. Loose leash walking becomes possible not when the world is perfectly calm, but when we notice how our dogs are reacting to the world, and respond with a positive strategy and care.
Modifying the walk based on your dog’s needs doesn’t just improve leash skills, it reinforces the relationship itself. Every small moment when you listen and adapt adds to the emotional bank account you share.
Next time you head out, don’t just look down the leash and wonder what’s going wrong. Look at the landscape. You might find your dog walks more calmly when the world feels less overwhelming.
3 Signs the Environment Is Too Much for Your Dog Right Now
Pulling gets worse, not better. If your dog starts pulling more intensely after a few minutes, they may be trying to get away from something (not toward it). Think: noise, crowd density, or unexpected stimuli.
They stop sniffing. Sniffing is how dogs gather information and self-regulate. If your dog suddenly stops sniffing, they may have shifted from curious to cautious, or even into a state of hyper-arousal.
They ignore known cues. When your dog suddenly “forgets” cues they usually know, it's not stubbornness. The environment may simply be too stimulating or stressful to process your request.
Casa Luna Canines is your partner in dog training, human learning. Join us to learn how to be your dog’s best friend using 100% pain and fear free methods. Imagine what it will feel like when your dog chooses to behave well around you, no matter where you are!
