Ask any athlete if it’s important to warm-up with some stretches before a race, a game, a match or even a casual run and you will most likely get a resounding “YES!”. Ask a musician if they take the time to warm up with some scales before a performance or even in a practice session and you will get the same emphatic “YES!”.
Going cold into any activity is a recipe for less-than-optimal performance. Focus and attention to the task may be lacking and muscle memory is not activated. The result is a substandard workout, game, race or performance.
Many well-meaning dog owners take their dogs for a walk without first warming up! The dog starts out "cold" and unfocused. This sets the scene for frustration all around.
Many dog owners feel the need to take their dog on a walk as soon as they get home from work. The dog is so excited about their person being back home and the imminent opportunity to be out of the house that he is bouncing off the walls. He can’t sit to greet, he can’t be still to get leashed up, he can’t wait at the door, he can’t check in, he can’t do anything with the thinking part of his brain.
Notice we didn’t say “won’t”, but “can’t”. That’s because he truly cannot control his impulses at this point. When a dog is overly excited about the prospect of a walk or other exciting activity, he is much more likely to pull on the leash. Asking an overly excited dog to walk calmly on a leash is like asking a child at Disneyland to walk slowly and calmly toward the entrance. Not. Gonna. Happen.
Although some playtime before a walk can be beneficial, warming up for a walk is less about physical preparation and more about being in the right mental and emotional state before heading out. It’s crucial to make certain you are never walking "cold". This means that you never ask the dog to be the child at Disneyland who is being asked to reign in their excitement when that is simply impossible in that moment.
In order to set your dog up for success and help him get out of his bananas brain, you must be prepared to do a few minutes of warm-up activities before you start out on the walk. Depending on your dog's level of excitement and preferences, you might choose an enrichment activity, pattern games, find-it games or simply running through your dog’s repertoire of known behaviors like, sit, down, shake, high-five, etc.
Having enrichment activities prepared ahead of time is a great way to handle the over-exuberance your dog may exhibit when you arrive home after work. Not only does your dog have an immediate outlet for pent-up energy or frustration, but you have bought yourself a few minutes to regroup and prepare for the upcoming walk.
Pattern Games are one of the best ways to prepare your dog for a loose-leash walk. Known, familiar and comfortable pattern activities allow your dog’s brain to get out of the reactive (bananas) zone and into the thinking (under control) zone.
Regardless of how you get your dog to the thinking zone, it is imperative to get there BEFORE embarking on a walk. It would actually be preferable to skip the walk and provide a series of warm-up activities in place of the walk if you are unable to get your dog out of the reactive, bananas zone.
By keeping the standard high and making sure your dog is truly ready for a walk, you will be providing the necessary structure for success. You will be able to get back to zero, stop repeating routines that haven’t been helpful and move forward with a fresh way of doing business.
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