Chaos Before the Walk: Why It Starts Before You Even Leave the House
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When clients tell me their dog walks are chaotic: pulling, barking, lunging, ignoring cues, most assume the problem starts outside. But more often than not, the chaos begins before the dog ever leaves the house.
If the walk starts in a state of excitement, frustration, or conflict, it’s unrealistic to expect calm once you hit the sidewalk. Let’s break down where things usually go wrong and how to fix it.
The First Problem: Putting Equipment On
One of the most common things I see is owners chasing their dog around the house trying to get a collar or leash on. Dogs ducking their heads, backing away, spinning, or turning it into a game. This alone sets the tone for the entire walk.
Instead, your dog should be taught that:
- Equipment goes on only when they are calm
- Sitting, downing, or going to place is part of the process
- The handler controls the start of the walk, not the dog
What to Teach:
- Ask for a sit, down, or place
- Calmly put the collar and leash on
- No movement forward until the dog is composed
If your dog has avoidance with collars, this is where food can help temporarily:
- Put your hand through the collar loop
- Lure the dog’s nose through with food
- Gently place the collar over their head
- Once the association is positive and calm, fade the food out
The goal is cooperation,not bribery forever.
Use a Slip Lead to Stop the Chaos
If your dog is hard to catch or already over-aroused, use a slip lead in the house.
This allows you to:
- Quickly and calmly “wrangle” the dog
- Stop the chasing games
- Reinforce sit, down, or stillness while you put regular equipment on
- Remove the slip lead once the dog is under control
Important note:
If your dog is ignoring commands, stop repeating them. Yelling “come, here, sit” while the dog blows you off only teaches them that commands are optional. The slip lead gives you control without turning it into a verbal battle.
The Door Matters More Than You Think
Once equipment is going on calmly, move to the next critical step: the door.
Before leaving:
- Dog sits or downs inside
- You open the door—dog stays put
Outside:
- Dog sits or downs again
- You lock the door, adjust yourself, breathe
- Then and only then… the walk begins
This teaches your dog that:
- Calmness opens doors
- Impulse doesn’t get rewarded
- The walk doesn’t start until the handler is ready
Why This Changes Everything
By the time most people reach the sidewalk, they’re already frustrated. Their dog is already overstimulated. That emotional state transfers straight down the leash.
Fixing the before:
- Reduces handler frustration
- Lowers the dog’s arousal
- Creates structure and predictability
- Sets a calm mindset for both ends of the leash
You don’t need a perfect heel the moment you step outside—but you do need a calm, controlled start.
Change what happens before the walk, and the walk itself will start changing too.