Dog walkers play a vital role in helping puppy parents raise well-mannered, confident adult dogs. I recently shared how dog walkers help with potty training and socialization, and today, we’re discussing behavior-specific training. Here are 5 ways dog walkers help train your new puppy!
5 Ways Dog Walkers Help Train Your New Puppy
While many people think of dog walkers as simply providing exercise or potty breaks, our impact on a puppy’s development goes much deeper, supporting training, socialization, and emotional growth.
1) Reinforcing Training Ideals
Consistency is key when it comes to training puppies. Dog walkers help reinforce the cues and behaviors that pet parents are teaching at home, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” By practicing these cues during visits, dog walkers help puppies learn that good manners are expected everywhere, not just with mom or dad or during formal training sessions. This repetition accelerates learning and helps puppies generalize their training to new environments.
If you’re crate training, we can support this process by shortening the time your pup spends in his or her crate, ensuring they develop a positive association with the crate and being crated.
At Shoreline Happy Paws, we encourage you to tell us what skills you’re working on so we can do the same during visits!
2) Teaching New Skills
Professional dog walkers are experienced in teaching puppies important life skills, including loose leash walking. This foundational skill not only makes walks more enjoyable but also sets the stage for a lifetime of safe and pleasant outings. We patiently guide puppies, rewarding them for walking calmly and redirecting them when they pull, helping them understand what’s expected.
If you want tips on how to loose leash train your puppy when you’re working together, check out our blog on teaching your puppy to walk on leash!
3) Redirecting Unwanted Behaviors
Puppies are naturally curious and often test boundaries by mouthing, jumping up, or chewing on things they shouldn’t. Dog walkers are skilled at using positive redirection. We offer toys or cues to encourage appropriate behaviors instead of unwanted ones. Effective redirection, especially when timed before the unwanted action occurs, teaches puppies to make better choices and prevents bad habits from forming.
If you’re having trouble with a specific behavior and want to discuss strategies, contact me. I’d be happy to help get us all on the same page so we find a gentle solution together.
4) Boosting Confidence
Regular walks with a trusted dog walker expose puppies to new sights, sounds, and experiences, which are crucial for socialization. This gentle exposure, combined with positive reinforcement, helps puppies become more confident and less fearful of the world around them. For shy or anxious pups, having trusted friends outside their immediate family take them out can further build trust and self-assurance.
I can tell you from experience that puppies that start dog walking services from an early age are usually very comfortable around strangers and unexpected situations. They are better able to handle the world around them, which greatly improves their quality of life.
5) Providing Consistency and Communication
We communicate with puppy parents about your puppy’s progress, noting improvements and, less often, setbacks. This feedback loop ensures we’re all on the same page, providing consistent care and training, which is essential for a puppy’s development. Because we support you, and maintain that flow of communication during your puppy’s key developmental periods, we share our knowledge and suggestions whenever you need them. As a soon-to-be certified dog trainer, I look forward to supporting you in this capacity.
The Best Care for Shoreline Pups
Dog walkers are more than just exercise buddies. We are partners in training, socialization, and confidence-building. Our support helps puppies grow into well-adjusted, happy adult dogs, making life easier and more enjoyable for both pets and their families. Plus, we help pet parents during what can be a very challenging time – puppyhood!
Shoreline Happy Paws is currently accepting new dog walking, dog hiking, and cat sitting clients! New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you, your family, and your cat(s) up for success. Existing clients may book services by logging in to your client profile.
We serve the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
