THE #1 SKILL FOR A DOG OWNER

People often ask me: What’s the single most important skill a dog owner should have? Some assume it’s mastering cues or commands. While cues have their place, nothing matters more than learning how to walk a dog on a loose leash. Let me explain why.

You can train your dog endlessly, but if your walks consist of either a dog who constantly seeks your approval or one who pulls you down the street, something essential is missing.

🐾 When Dogs Pull   Pulling isn’t just about impulse control. It’s often a sign that the dog lacks the freedom to express natural behaviors—sniffing, exploring, greeting other dogs, or simply enjoying the environment. Being restrained by a tight leash, especially around the neck, can be stressful. That stress doesn’t stay on the walk—it seeps into every part of the dog’s life.

We’ve all seen it: the owner apologizing for their dog’s behavior, hoping no squirrel appears, and choosing nighttime walks to avoid being dragged in public. It’s not just exhausting—it’s heartbreaking.

🐾 When Dogs Are Over-Controlled   On the other end of the spectrum, dogs trained with rigid obedience methods may walk perfectly in line, eyes fixed on their owner, every move dictated. They’re praised for being “well-behaved,” but beneath the surface is a dog who’s lost the ability to make choices. Constant corrections and forced compliance can lead to insecurity, anxiety, and a lack of confidence.

In both cases, the dog is struggling. One is fighting for freedom, the other for autonomy. And both are missing what truly matters: the ability to make decisions.

Dogs are incredibly capable of making good choices—if we allow them to. But that begins with trust. If we can’t offer more than six feet of freedom, we need to ask ourselves why. The issue isn’t the dog—it’s our own fear of letting go.

Rethinking the Walk

Loose leash walking isn’t a skill dogs need to learn—it’s one we, as humans, need to practice. Whether your dog comes from a shelter, a breeder, or your own backyard, the principle remains: calm, connected walking begins with us.

Many believe leash walking is about control. But that mindset breeds tension. Dogs either resist the leash or submit to it—neither fosters trust. Imagine walking with a friend who constantly yanked your arm. You’d pull away too. But if they walked beside you, inviting you to join them, you’d naturally fall into step. Dogs feel the same.

They’re intuitive. They read our body language, sense our emotions, and respond accordingly. What we often label as “stubbornness” is usually just a dog trying to find relief.

A Kinder Way Forward

Instead of controlling dogs, we can guide them. Through calm energy, gentle cues, and patience, we show them that walking together is a choice—not a command. When dogs are given freedom within safe boundaries, they choose connection over resistance.

So if you’re wondering where to begin with your dog, start with the leash. Not as a tool of control, but as a bridge of trust.

~Laura Becker, CBCC-KA

Canine behavior consultant

www.kaiserpetcare.com