What to do on the dog walk

Darran the Dogman Training Tips
What I Really Do on a Lead Walk With My Dog… 🌿
Spoiler alert:
It’s not about distance.
It’s not about “perfect heel.”
It’s not about me looking good on Instagram.
It’s about my dog.
When I walk with my dog, I’m not goal-setting — I’m co-regulating. I’m giving them space to be a dog:
👃 Sniffing
🌱 Exploring
💩 Reading (and leaving) pee-mail
🌬️ Processing the world at their pace
Sniffing isn’t wasting time — it’s how dogs process their environment. It’s their form of meditation, mental stimulation, and stress relief all rolled into one. Every blade of grass is a story. Every lamp post a library. Every sniff a step toward feeling safe and grounded.
Sure, I might ask for a bit of loose-lead walking now and then. But I’m not trying to create a robot on a rope.
🐕 This walk isn’t about my ego.
It’s about meeting my dog’s needs.
It’s about connection, not control.
It’s about giving them a say in their day.
So if we spend 30 minutes covering 100 metres… that’s a win.
If my dog comes home tired, fulfilled, and emotionally balanced… that’s the real success.
Because walking with a dog should never be a power trip — it should be a partnership.
🧡 Walk for your dog, not your step count.