1 Tip, 1 Idea, 1 Quote.
On matching energy
Dog Trainer Auckland
September 1, 2026
1 Tip - on life with your dog
A calm walk starts at home, probably when you put your shoes on. Try putting your dog's harness or lead on, then spend a couple of minutes casually looking for your keys or wiping the bench. Move slowly, talk gently, don't rush. This stops the lead from becoming the signal for excitement and drops their arousal before you get to the door.
1 Idea - on the leading edge
Dogs, when nervous, may slow their own movement in an attempt to calm the environment. You'll see it in a dog moving very slowly at the vet or when somebody nearby is shouting. We can do the same: move slower, loosen your shoulders, and steady your breathing; it can have an instant effect on your dog. It's often said we are our dog's barometer; their attention is often so focused on us and how that relates to them that we can calm them with our own state. Research backs this up: dogs and owners' heart rates sync up in real time on a walk, more strongly the longer they've lived together, and more obviously under stress, which is exactly why a rushed exit winds a dog up faster than words ever could.
1 Quote - on dogs
I watched a woman talking to a friend; she became animated, laughing heartily and jiggling around. Her dog, who had been calmly sitting at her feet, responded to the flurry of energy and noise, got up and started to do the same.
