For many people this is one of the toughest skills to master. There are so many factors stacked in conflict between humans and dogs that are big challenges to overcome, but, if rather than trying to force the issue we look at it holistically, we can see how we might be able to overcome them each as individual pieces in the chain that we can repair and overcome.

The conflicting issues. what if the boot were on the other foot:

Dogs naturally walk faster than us.

Smaller dogs have a smaller stride, larger dogs with a longer stride will naturally have to put a great deal of work into slowing their movement and keeping pace with us. We might compare that to use walking along with a small child just learning the independence of walking or a very old person who can no longer walk fast. It really isn’t so easy for any prolonged amount of distance, it can become uncomfortable, and even a bit irritating if the slower person is not in the best mood, especially if you really can’t wait or are in a hurry to get to the end destination.

Dogs are curious

Imagine you’re walking down the high street, and you realise that the sales are on, and there are things you’d really love to look at, but you can’t because the people you are walking with have other agendas and you have to stay with them. You might decide you can always go back later. A dog can’t. They have a choice: forego their interest for you, or ignore you. What would your choice be?

Who’s pulling who?

This is a pretty big one. We focus so hard on them pulling us but then forget to tell them when we’re changing direction or about to move away. I have so many times seen dogs literally dragged across a floor where the owners have been stood chatting to another person, then said their good byes without even once looking down to let their dogs know that they are moving off. Dog’s are non verbal, so it’s really not like the dog can be privy to the conversation!

TBC…