12/05/2025
Do you want your dog to thrive in public and travel with you?
How do you act when you are in public with them?
Do you talk in a high pitched voice?
Do you wad up the leash and always have tension?
Are you reacting to everything around you?
Talking in a high pitched voice will only elevate their excitement. They may not know what you are talking about but that high pitch is what dogs associate with something exciting. Instead use a neutral tone of voice.
Talk less, only give clear commands while working in a public area. Don't use filler words, just say your dog's name and the command. The rest will just confuse them.
Watch how you are reacting in public too because your dog will reflect that behavior. If you are holding the leash wadded up in your hand with high tension your dog knows that something is about to happen and they go on alert. You are basically telling them to watch out. Your nerves go through that leash to them. If your dog is a puller on leash, practice at a distance first with leash manners. Seek help from a trainer to help you get there if needed. If there is something your dog might react to or get excited about, turn around and go the other way, create extra space so you can work through it, avoid it, and give your dog a positive experience.
First you should practice this at home first, then in an area that is a little more busy at a distance and build up to taking them more places. But make sure when you do this that you are setting them up for success and being calm & neutral so you can continue to build on that foundation you have started.
