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