“Why does my dog walk nicely for you but not me?”

This is a common question in training sessions and out on walks, and if you’ve ever wondered it, you’re truly not alone. There are a few reasons your dog might seem to behave better for someone else. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, it just means there are a few pieces of the puzzle we can look at together.

The good news is it’s something you can absolutely work on, and with the right tweaks, you’ll start to see things shift!🐾

Timing is a big one! Dogs learn from the exact moment something happens. Knowing when to reward, when to interrupt, and when to step in takes practice. If the timing is slightly off, even by a second or two, the message can get blurred and your dog can be confused. That’s completely normal, it’s a skill, and like any skill it improves the more you practise it.

Another common factor is being reactive rather than proactive. It’s very easy to respond once your dog has already pulled, barked, or lunged. The real shift happens when you start noticing the tiny changes beforehand, a stiffening of the body, a hard stare, a change in pace, and step in early. Preventing the behaviour will always be more effective than trying to fix it once it’s in full swing.

Your body language and tone matter more than most people realise. Dogs are incredibly tuned in to us. If your voice becomes frustrated, pleading, or repetitive, or you find yourself asking over and over again without follow through, it can create confusion. Clear boundaries, calm energy, and consistency help your dog understand exactly what’s expected.

And then there’s rewards. Are you using something your dog genuinely cares about? Are you delivering it at the right moment? For some dogs food is brilliant, for others it’s a toy, a game, or the chance to move forward and sniff. It has to be motivating for your individual dog - not all dogs find the same things rewarding. For example, Teddy finds a game of tug far better than a treat.

None of this is about being perfect. It’s about building awareness and confidence. With consistency and a bit of guidance, walks can feel calm, structured, and actually enjoyable again.

If your walks are feeling hard work at the moment, send me a message and we’ll get to the bottom of it together 🐾