Creating Harmony: Why Your Dog Need More Than Just Weekend Walks
Hey there!
In the last post, I talked about the “two ends of the leash.” The idea is simple: relationships go both ways. And when it comes to your dog, it always takes two to tango.
As a dog trainer, most of the phone calls I get start with a problem. People say things like:
“It just came out of nowhere,” or
“Well… he’s a rescue.”
I hate to break it to you, it didn’t come out of nowhere. And let’s stop blaming a “rescue background” from three years ago for behavior that’s showing up now.
That’s not to shame anyone. Life gets busy, and our four-legged companions often get the short end of the stick. I get it. But that’s exactly why we need to talk about harmony.
Harmony Means Balance
When I say “harmony,” I’m not talking about perfectly polished obedience or a dog that never makes a sound. I’m talking about balance — a dog who’s mentally and emotionally steady because their needs are being consistently met.
Onyx working on an object guard
A well-balanced dog doesn’t bolt the second the door opens. And contrary to popular belief, professional trainers don’t have “perfect” dogs because we’re strict or obsessed with control. Honestly, it’s usually the opposite.
A fellow friend of mine who also happens to be a great dog trainer once said,
“If I want to build drive and create a wild dog, I’ll let Chris have him for a few weeks.” (Josh Moran)
(Thanks… I think?)
What he meant was that I focus on building energy, motivation, and real-life connection, not just drilling commands.
Dogs Need More Than A Weekend Walk
Too often, we treat our dogs like “fair weather fans.” We’ll engage them when it’s convenient or when the weather’s nice, but not with consistency.
Our dogs don’t operate like that. Just like us, they need daily stimulation.
And I mean EVERY…SINGLE…DAY.
Rain or shine, busy or not, your dog needs mental and physical stimulation. And this isn’t just a “working breed” thing. Every dog, no matter the breed, needs regular interaction and structure to thrive.
Take my old dog, Onyx (pictured above). He was sharp, capable, and did advanced protection work. But if he didn’t get his morning walk, he was a son of a bitch the rest of the day. It didn’t matter how much training he had — if we skipped that walk, he was unsettled, edgy, and harder to work with.
If I wanted a smooth, balanced day with him, it started with that walk. Every. Time.
This Month’s Reflection
Here’s what I’d love for you to reflect on this month. Grab a pen or open your notes app and jot down your answers to these three questions:
What’s one thing you do with your dog every single day?
If you realize you don’t have one, what would you like it to be?
What activity would you like to include your dog in — or do more often?
If you were to call a trainer today (hopefully me), what would the issue be?
Be honest. No judgment. Just clarity.
Once you’ve thought it through, send your responses my way. I’m here to help, guide, and walk alongside you as you build the kind of relationship you want with your dog — one step, one habit, one day at a time.
Talk to you soon!
- Chris
Two Sides of the Leash
It all begins with an idea.
Welcome to the Your Every Day K9 blog! I’m glad you’re here.
This blog is for anyone who wants a better relationship with their dog. Whether you’re working on obedience, dealing with behavior issues, or just trying to figure out what your dog needs from you, you’ll find support, tips, and real-life stories to guide you here. Because let’s face it — the perfect relationship with your dog doesn’t just happen. It’s something you build.
And the good news? You don’t have to do it alone.
Two Sides of the Leash
Let’s start where every great relationship begins: understanding. There are two sides to this leash:
What are you looking for in your dog?
And what is your dog looking for in you?
Most of us have a vision of our “perfect dog”:
Relaxing quietly at home
Hiking off-leash but always staying close
Playful, social, and maybe even a little protective
That’s the dream, and it’s a great one. It’s also the inspiration behind my business name: Your Every Day K9.
Because what we want is a companion we can trust to be with us in everyday life.
But here’s the flip side: your dog has needs, too.
Your Dog Isn’t Broken
Every dog is wired a certain way. Genetics matter. Say you bring home a German Shepherd. Beautiful. Loyal. Smart. But then you’re frustrated because he’s reactive with guests or got kicked out of daycare.
The truth is: your dog isn’t broken. He’s just being… a German Shepherd.
Sometimes, yes, you’ll meet a unicorn — a dog that defies their breed description.
My first German Shepherd, Jago (pictured above), was like that. He was steady, gentle, and loved everyone. I trusted him completely. But out of the six dogs I’ve owned since? Not one had all those traits. And that’s okay.
Your job isn’t to “fix” your dog into someone else’s dream dog. It’s to build a relationship with the one you have.
Real Relationships Take Teal Work
Before the next post, I’d love to invite you into a simple but powerful exercise.
Take a few minutes to jot down two things for your dog:
What you expected
What’s actually happening right now
For example:
Expectation: My dog walks calmly by my side
Reality: My dog pulls ahead and ignores me on walks
Now, do this for five different situations — it could be anything from leash walking to greeting guests, recall, barking, or relaxing in the home.
Once you’ve written them out, email your list to me. I’m gathering these reflections (always anonymously) not just to help shape future blog content, but because they’re good for you and your dog. Taking time to name the gap between your hopes and your reality is a small investment — but one that can lead to more clarity, patience, and progress in your relationship.
And you both deserve that.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
— Chris
Your Every Day K9