Could you believe that one of the most requested session I get is for loose leash walking? Yes, I was surprised too and that is why I include it in my Behavior and Training LV1 because if you don’t exercise your dog and you expect her to listen to you, well, let me tell you that that’s not going to happen.

We got Zoe as a foster from Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (barcs.org) and she had been returned to the shelter, if I remember right, four (4) times. The reason why she was returned? They all said that she was hyperactive and extremely affectionate. By the way, they were right! She has been with us since October 21, 2023 so that’s about a little over 3 months and if you check the picture I posted of her that day, you will see her in a comfortable bed inside her crate. Why? From the first day she needed to learn behavior. Fast forward to today, and her pictures show her in bed without leash or collar. That took some time, but she got it!

What about loose leash walking? She is finally walking the way I want to, next to me, not pulling. We walk most days twice a day. Why? I can’t ask her or my other dogs to behave if I don’t fulfill their needs. Also, and this is between us, I could eat more of what I want without having to worry about calories, so there!

If you decide to foster or adopt a dog, make sure that her energy level is the same as yours and find a dog trainer to help you bring out the best in her keeping in mind that that’ll take time, patience, effort, consistency, commitment, and love, of course, but it will be worth it. Enjoy your weekend!