How to make walks easier for your dog

Some dogs make walks look easy, and some make it look like you are guiding a tiny, excited superhero who has never touched grass before.

If your dog pulls, zigzags, or forgets you exist the second you step outside, welcome to the club. 

You know that this can be changed, the question is how to make it easier and faster.

Here are the most helpful dog walking tips I wish someone told me sooner.

1. Start the walk calm, not rushed

If you begin the walk in a hurry, your dog will feel it. Dogs read your body like it is the morning news. Fast energy makes them wired. Calm energy helps them settle. Before you step outside, take one slow breath and relax your shoulders. It helps, I promise.

This is especially helpful if you are learning how to walk a dog calmly. A peaceful start sets the mood for the whole walk. Your dog feels your pace and follows your lead more than you think.

A quiet “let us go” can do more than pulling the leash ever will. Think of this as the warm up phase for both of you.

2. Let your dog sniff… on purpose

If there is one tip that changes everything, it is this. Add sniff breaks to your walk on purpose. Do not rush them. Let your dog have a little “sniff time session” when you reach an interesting spot.

Sniffing is a mental exercise. It helps your dog stay calm, use their brain, and release stress. Many pet behaviorists say sniffing can tire a dog out almost as much as walking. That is why it is one of the best tips for walking your dog.

You control how long the sniff break lasts, so it never becomes the whole walk. But giving them a minute here and there helps them relax, and it helps you enjoy the walk more, too.

3. Use simple walking gear that helps

You do not need a suitcase of gear to walk your dog. Most days, simple things work better than complicated ones. A steady leash, a cool dog collar or harness, and something light for water go a long way.

If you walk at night, a leash with LED light is helpful so you and your dog stay visible. If you walk two dogs, using a single handle for both can save you from constant tangles. And if your dog gets thirsty quickly, a leash with a small built in bowl can help you give water without juggling things.

All of these fit naturally into our Walk Gear collection. But use only what solves a real problem for you. The goal is to make walks easier, not heavier.

4. Practice a simple stop and go routine

If your dog pulls a lot, this one can save your arms. It is a gentle method used by many trainers, and it works well for beginners.

Here is how to do it:

• Stop walking
  
  
• Stand still like a tree
  
  
• Wait a few seconds until the leash loosens
  
  
• Then start walking again
  

This teaches your dog that pulling gets them nowhere, but calm walking keeps the walk going. It is one of the best dog leash training tips because it is so simple. 

5. Pick a route that fits your dog, not your schedule

Some dogs love busy streets with lots to look at. Others get overwhelmed fast. Some love long paths. Some are slow explorers. 

The best way to walk a dog is the one that matches their style. Think of:

• Shorter routes for nervous dogs
  
  
• Open areas for dogs who pull a lot
  
  
• Quiet streets for reactive dogs
  
  
• Parks for sniff-heavy dogs

A walk that fits your dog helps them stay relaxed and makes the whole experience smoother.

6. Bring water when the day is warm

Dogs warm up faster than we do. They pant more, get thirsty faster, and their paws feel the heat from the ground. Even on mild days, a bit of water helps them stay comfortable.

A small travel dog bottle or a foldable pet bowl makes things easier. Some pet parents also prefer our 3 in 1 water bottle that holds water, food, and poop bags in one place. It keeps your hands light and saves you from carrying three different items.

You do not need to bring water on every walk, but on warm days or longer walks, it makes a big difference.

7. Teach a “check in” cue

A check in is when your dog looks at you for a second during the walk. It keeps them from getting too locked on smells, sounds, or fast distractions.

Here is how to teach it:

• Say your dog’s name once.
  
  
• When they glance at you, mark it with “yes.”
  
  
• Give a tiny treat.

Do this a few times inside, then try it outside.

A good dog check in can fix half of the chaos on walks because your dog remembers you are part of the walk too, not just someone holding the leash.

8. Give your dog a clear job on the walk

Some dogs relax better when they feel like they have a small job. It can be as simple as having them sit at corners, walk at your side for a few steps, or wait before crossing the street. These tiny “jobs” help busy dogs focus and feel safer because they know what comes next.

Dogs love knowing the plan. When you add small tasks like sit, touch, or look at me, your dog’s brain switches from chaos mode to “I know what I am doing” mode. It is one of the easiest ways to keep a dog calm on walks without needing long training sessions.

9. Add fun to your walks, not just structure

Walks are not chores. They are tiny adventures. Dogs need structure, yes, but they also need moments of fun. 

You can:

• Change direction suddenly
  
  
• Walk on a new street
  
  
• Hide a treat behind a tree
  
  
• Speed up for five seconds, then slow down
  
  
• Let your dog climb a small rock or log

10. Keep your own energy in check

This might be the biggest secret of all. 

Your dog watches you the whole time. They read your pace, your tension, your voice, even your breathing. If you feel stressed, they feel stressed. If you walk steady, they settle too.

You do not have to be perfect. Just try to stay relaxed when things get chaotic. If your dog pulls or jumps, pause for a second, breathe, then continue. Calm energy helps your dog understand that the walk is safe, even when the world is loud.

This is one of the most overlooked daily dog walking tips, but it works with almost every dog.

Before you head out again…

Walking your dog should not feel like a battle. It should feel like a small, sweet part of your day. And when walks get easier, everything else gets easier too. Your dog listens more, pulls less, and enjoys the world with you at their side.

If you ever feel like your walks could use a tiny boost, our Pet Walk Gear collection is worth a look. We keep things simple and practical, so you only carry what actually helps. Just easy pieces that make your time outside feel smoother for both of you.