Dog walks are often a big part of cultivation for me. Below are some observations around what a perfect walk can look like. Some of these may not apply to some dogs on some days, you may wish to just use them as explorations.
- The perfect walk often does not have a destination, though ideas may arise around where it could go. Freely embrace change as it manifests. It may follow a familiar pattern, it may not.
- Try not to drag the dog along. Instead walk with the dog and cultivate sensitivity and observation. So long as where the dog goes is safe and allowed, aspire to not let them feel the pull of the leash in any way unless absolutely necessary.
- Gently but resolutely hold ground when the dog attempts to go somewhere off-limits or unsafe, but do not bring preference into the interaction. Let them grow bored with resisting going where it is unsafe, and let them be rewarded with easeful walking when going where it is safe.
- Let the dog stop and smell, go potty and anything else that comes up as often as it likes, for as long as it likes within the time constraints of the walk. Sometimes just sniffing and rooting around is what was needed more than exercise was.
- Sometimes gentle coaxing may be a good fit to further exploration for the dog (or the person). Gently gesture and let them decide if they are receptive.
- Some walks are made up of mostly staying in one small area.
- Let the walk be an act of generosity, for them, not based around us.
- Remain observant of the larger area around where the walk is happening. Help them avoid situations that set them up for failure.
- For shy and nervous dogs, learn to physically place your body between the dog and what it might need to feel protected from.
- Let the walk remain as wordless and present as can be.
- Appreciate your time together. Let the walk become a teacher for all parties involved.
- Be attuned to the dog’s energetic arc and work in synergy with it whenever possible.
- Aspire to shape behavior one interaction at a time, bit by bit. Consideration, pleasurable interactions and reward are powerful tools, don’t fall into the trap of looking at correction and punishment as the best ways to train an animal.
- Visit dog parks, if the dog doesn’t want to go in just let them watch the others from afar or walk the perimeter. Encourage them to socialize and interact with other dogs, but do so in a safe manner.
- Leave space for learning.