The importance of giving your walks with your fearful and reactive dog some slacks

When you have anxious dogs, the world can be a scary place for them. At the same time, during each of their walks, they are told not to pull on the leash, not to react, and simply not to be stressed out. These walks essentially serve as training sessions for them.

Working like that on every walk will likely not make them enjoy it or appreciate the world. It is also essential for us to show them that walks don’t have to be challenging or scary; walks can be easy and fun too.

So, give yourself and your dog a break from time to time. Go for shorter walks, give them more space by visiting a less crowded park (e.g., during off-peak hours), offer them opportunities to play fetch, avoid triggers by going around them or a different direction, and let them decide where to go. By doing so, your dog can enjoy the world a bit more, and it can help with their anxiety, ultimately their behavioral issues 😌

Do you give your walks some slack?