Taking your dog for a walk is one of the most natural parts of daily life with a dog. But have you ever felt like your dog is walking you? Pulling on the lead, darting at distractions, ignoring you completely?
You’re not alone — and there’s a simple, powerful shift you can make.
✨ Start asking your dog to sit during the walk — at random times, in calm moments, or before changes in pace or direction.
It might sound too simple to make a difference, but this technique has far-reaching benefits for your dog’s behaviour, mindset, and relationship with you.
Let’s explore how a few well-placed sits can transform your daily walks.
Why Walking Isn’t Just Physical Exercise
Most owners think of a walk as a way to tire their dog out physically. And yes — movement and fresh air are important.
But for dogs, a walk is:
- A chance to engage mentally
- A time to practise emotional regulation
- A way to build trust and teamwork
If we only focus on mileage, we miss the opportunity to train and bond.
That’s where obedience during walks — like calmly asking for sits — can change everything.
What Happens When You Add “Sit” to the Walk
When you calmly ask your dog to sit:
- They must pause their momentum
- Shift from reactive to responsive
- Look to you for guidance
- Receive reward and reassurance for calmness
The sit itself becomes a reset button — a moment of stillness in the middle of motion.
Doing this consistently teaches your dog:
- You’re worth listening to
- Focus brings reward
- The walk is a shared activity, not a solo mission
Over time, the results include:
✅ Less pulling
✅ More engagement
✅ Better impulse control
✅ Greater calmness in exciting or overstimulating places
When to Ask for a Sit on a Walk
The goal is not to interrupt joy — it’s to insert moments of calm and connection.
Here are great moments to ask for a sit:
- Before crossing the road
- At the end of a driveway
- At random quiet points
- Before greeting another person or dog
- After a busy section of road or park
- At the top or bottom of steps or inclines
- When a distraction appears (e.g., bike, dog, bird)
💡 Tip: Be casual — you’re not aiming for a military drill.
A gentle tone and a quick pause are all you need.
Using “Stop, Sit, Let’s Go” as a Structure
This is one of the simplest yet most powerful walking patterns you can teach.
- Stop – You pause and your dog slows down.
- Sit – Ask for a calm sit.
- Let’s go – Use a cheerful release cue and resume walking.
Repeat this throughout the walk — it doesn’t have to be at every turn, but enough that your dog begins to see you as their anchor point.
Why It Works (The Science Bit)
Asking for sits interrupts a dog’s stress hormones and resets their nervous system.
It teaches:
- Emotional control (sit instead of reacting)
- Delayed gratification (wait calmly before we go again)
- Focus under distraction (sit even when birds fly past!)
When done consistently, this technique encourages dogs to self-regulate, not just obey.
You’re helping them make better decisions in real time.
What If My Dog Doesn’t Sit on a Walk?
That’s totally fine to begin with! Start where your dog is comfortable.
Here’s how to build it up:
- Practise sits at home first with little distraction
- Move to the garden or quiet streets
- Use a treat lure if needed to guide into a sit
- Keep your tone light — no pressure!
- Praise every calm sit, even if it’s a bit slow
Gradually, you’ll find your dog starts offering sits during walks — especially if you’ve marked and rewarded them consistently.
How Often Should I Do This?
Quality over quantity. Even 2–3 sits per walk can make a difference.
The key is consistency over time, not repetition every 30 seconds.
Mix it up:
- One walk can be more relaxed, sniff-led
- Another can be focus-based with several obedience moments
🧠 Let your dog enjoy freedom and structure. The blend is where growth happens.
Want to Raise a Puppy Who Walks Nicely from Day One?
The 30 Day Puppy Plan includes simple, age-appropriate walk training, including:
- Early lead introduction
- Calm walking foundations
- Teaching sits before moving forward
- Setting up walk behaviour for long-term success
If you’ve got a puppy between 8 and 20 weeks, this plan is a brilliant way to avoid common issues before they begin.
When to Contact a Behaviourist
If your dog:
- Refuses to walk
- Lunges or barks on lead
- Won’t sit in public
- Shows extreme over-arousal or anxiety outside
…then you may need more tailored help. These behaviours often stem from underlying stress, confusion, or poor associations.
👉 For personalised support, visit www.simplydogbehaviour.co.uk and let’s get your walks back on track.
Final Thoughts
Your dog’s walk isn’t just a route from A to B — it’s an opportunity to grow calmness, trust, and cooperation.
Asking for a few sits during your walk may seem small, but it helps your dog develop:
- Emotional balance
- Mental engagement
- Stronger focus on you
Thank you for reading!
If this post helped you rethink your daily walk, please share it with other dog owners — every share helps this blog grow naturally and reach more people. 🐾