Canine Calm Walks - Become a Trained Dog Walker

In this video, you will gain an understanding of what your expectations are as a trained dog walker.

Main points:

- As a member of the Canine Calm Walks Community, we pride ourselves on being transparent, caring and understanding.

- Always be respectful and have empathy for owners and dogs.

- Respect your time and the owners when you are conducting walks. Each walk is 40 minutes from when you arrive to when you leave. Your time is important and so is the owners, so keep to these times.

- You are not a dog trainer, you are a dog walker who is trained and can bring a higher level of skill and understanding to a dog walk, offering more value to the owner and their dog. The owner is aware of this.

- Most importantly, have FUN! Enjoy yourself. Get paid to go for a walk with some furry friends.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will see an example of how it may look picking up a dog for a walk.

Main points:

- The dog will more than likely be very excited.

- It is up to you to remain calm and neutral, not adding excitement to the situation.

- Important to also greet the owner and be present with them.

- For first time walks with a new dog, this is a good opportunity to ask the owner if there is anything you need to know about the dog such as:

   - Is the dog reactive to people or other dogs?
   - Am I able to give the dog treats?
   - Is there any concerns they would like to express?

- Start working on teaching the dog leash pressure from the start of the walk (more on this in later videos).

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn about the equipment and tools you can use while walking dogs to have a more enjoyable and beneficial walk.

Main points:

- Having a range of items on hand is beneficial and can help with the range of dogs you will walk.

- You do not need to buy these tools, as the owner will have the necessities for the walk (usually a flat buckle collar and leash).

- It is recommended that you get at least a slip lead as an essential for walking dogs on.

- The list of equipment includes:

   - Treat pouch/side bag
   - Ziplock bag with treats
   - Pet corrector
   - Long line (5m, 10m)
   - Slip lead (highly recommend)
   - Gentle leader
   - Poo bags (essential)
   - Toys

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist

In this video, you will learn how to correctly fit the tools used for dog walking.

Main points:

- Slip lead fitting - nice and high on the neck, be sure to put down the lock piece with a snug fitting.

- Gentle leader fitting - place over snout (can use treats to create and condition a positive experience for the dog), make sure there are no twists, and clip up nice and high on the neck with a snug fitting.

- There are other videos you can find on the internet on how to fit the gentle leader if you require more assistance.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn some important, fundamental points about communicating with dogs.

Main points:

- Dogs aren’t verbal (can’t expect them to understand our language).

- For a dog to understand what we want, we need to communicate with them first what we want using our body language, leash pressure and our body.

- Once the dog understands what is expected of them, then we can add in the verbal command to tie it to the action. This takes repetition and reward.

- On walks, it is important to not overcommunicate verbally with the dog.

- Aiming to be the leader on the walk, having the dog look to you as a source of guidance.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn why and how marker words are used.

Main points:

- Using consistent words makes it easier for the dog to understand, and allows for any walker to continue with the same words.

- Marker words help to communicate with the dog in that moment, especially for:

   - If we like that behaviour

   - If we don’t like that behaviour

   - If we want them to keep doing what they are doing

- 3 main marker words we use are “yes”, “no”, and “good”. Other words you will be introduced to in later videos are “break”, “okay” and “let’s go”.

- Say these marker words neutral and calm.

- “Yes” means I like what you are doing right now, you get a reward (treat, pat etc.).

- “No” means I don’t like that behaviour, stop doing that or try something else.

- “Good” means I like what you are doing, keep doing it, but don’t know treats.

- Leash pressure can be used to help communicate what you are wanting from the dog.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn some points on how to set up for a successful walk from the moment you get the dog out. It is important to start right at the start before you are out and about.

Main points:

- Wait for eye contact before you leave the house, or if you are greeting the dog outside, be sure the dog gives you their attention before you move away from the house.

- It is important to bring down their excitement and ensure they are giving you their attention before getting out into different environments. This isn’t always achievable, but this is where consistency will begin to get the dog more calm in your presence and on the walk by practicing these techniques.

- The 180 turning technique is a great way to get the dog in tune with you and paying attention to you. You are leading the dog.

- Be sure to hold the leash with a relaxed grip and keep your arm and body relaxed and no tension in the leash while walking. Once again, this will be easier with time and consistency, don’t be disheartened if you cant achieve this on the first walks.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn the fundamental leash and body techniques to build consistency and calmness on the walk. Watch this video as many times as you need to understand how to use these techniques, and come back to it anytime you need clarity.

Main points:

- 180 turns:
   - Leash pressure when the dog hits the end of the leash.
   - Pressure is relaxed as soon as the dog commits to moving towards you.
   - This creates the understanding for the dog that there is no leash pressure as long as they walk with you.

- You can use your body to walk across in front of the dog. This ensures the dog isn’t walking ahead of you and builds on their ability to follow you on the walk.

- It may take some time for the dog to get used to structure. Don’t get frustrated, just be consistent in what you are doing with the dog, and through the consistency they will begin to understand what they need to do.

- Minimise the affection on the walk, the walk itself is a great bonding time for the dog, and the aim is to keep the dog calm.

- The affection can come as a reward when they are doing what you would like.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn some basic techniques to help you structure your walks. This video is using the slip lead, but these techniques are used for every walk, no matter what tools the dog are being walked on.

Main points:

- Be sure to release the leash pressure and praise the dog when the dog does what you want.

- Back and forth technique is highle effective.

- Be neutral with your verbal praise (saying "yes" or "good")

- Make sure you release the dog from structure (saying "break" or "okay")

- Make sure you give the que for moving back into structure (saying "let's go")

- It is important to use these words as the dog will then learn them from whoever is walking them.

- You don't need a long line when released, but it makes for a better experience.

- You will see incremental progress with your walks, especially with dogs who have not had much structure in their lives before. Don't be disheartened if they aren't making massive progress after one walk.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn some basic techniques to help you structure your walks. This video is using the gentle leader, but these techniques are used for every walk, no matter what tools the dog are being walked on.

Main points:

- Treats are great to help condition gentle leader (be sure to make sure the owner is happy with the treats you are using).

- Use an upward pressure if the dog tries to paw off the gentle leader.

- You are building a respect and leadership relationship with the dog.

- Use leash pressure towards you if the dog tries to push through the door/gate.

- Remember to release leash pressure and praise when the dog does what you want (releasing the pressure is a reward as well).

- You do not want te dog to be pulling on the lease.

- Waiting for the dog to make eye contact with you before releasing them is a great technique to teach them to check in with you.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

In this video, you will learn some more techniques to use out on the walks. You can build on teaching the dog what leash pressure means while out and about at any time as well.

You want to always be working on:

- Making sure the dog isn't pulling on the leash.

- Holding the leash with a relaxed grip.

- Looking forward, maintaining a good upright pusture (this makes a positive difference for both you and the dog, as you're standing tall and leading like a leader, and the dog sees this and is more inclined to follow you)

- Maintaining your composure and emotions.

Main points:

- Consistency is important for dogs.

- Proactive stops to make sure the dog is paying attention to you.

- Remember to give the dog time to explore and smell in different environments (you don't need to use a long line, but it does help to give the dog more freedom when released).

- Play games to get them engaged with you.

- Reward the dog when using different tools to create and build on the positive association.

- You can use distractions in the environment to work on the dog paying attention to you by praising and treating them when they give you their attention.

- Always a good idea to ask the owner before you walk a new dog if there are any concerns you should be aware of with the dog. You can ask questions like:

   - Is the dog okay around people?
   - Is the dog okay around other dogs?
   - Is there anything in particular the dog is reactive to?

- IMPORTANT! No dog on dog interractions, and no dog and human interractions while out on the walk. This is to ensure you don't run into any unexpected problems with aggressive dogs or other people getting injured. You never know if someone elses dog is aggressive and we want to avoid any injury to any dogs and humans always.

- It is not your responsibility to socialise the dog. You are there to walk them and help them be more respectful on leash.

Please be sure to ask any questions either here on in the Facebook group and I will be more than happy to assist.

This video goes through some final points before you finalise your account and get out there and help create a positive difference in the lives of owners and their dogs.

Main points:

- Every owner and every dog are different. Each dog will require a different approach.

- These videos are a guide for you to create your own style utilising these fundamental techniques.

- Try different things to suit different dogs.

I look forward to seeing your ongoing progress as we connect and work together to create a positive impact for dogs and owners around Australia!