Parallel Walks for Sensitive Dogs
The advice is always “start with a parallel walk” and never “here’s how to do a parallel walk with a sensitive dog”.
Time to fix that problem.
A trainer-led parallel walk
I’ll guide both dog-guardian teams through the parallel walk process, including how to customize it for both dogs’ needs. The goal of this walk isn’t for the dogs to interact, but to learn how to coexist together on a walk.
The more you do this, the more comfortable your dog will become, and the easier it’ll be to explore potential dog friendships. Even if you never feel comfortable allowing your dog to romp around off-leash, most dogs benefit tremendously from having a walking buddy.
Eligibility
Dog-guardian teams need a skillset that typically requires previous/current training. See FAQ. Also, you must be able to physically handle your dog if/when they have a reaction.
Available dates
Saturday 8/1, 8/8 or 8/15.
More dates will be added depending on interest.
Time
7-7:45am - we’re beating the heat and the crowds.
More times will be added depending on interest.
Location
In the ‘burbs to avoid the ambient noise of the city. Typically Towson or Parkville, but exact location will be shared after sign up.
Additional info & FAQ
PLEASE READ ALL OF THESE IN FULL!
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I’m coaching you on how to apply the skills you already have to create a successful parallel walk. In order for that to happen, everyone needs the following training skills:
A reliable response to their positive marker
Engage/disengage (or LAT)
Treat toss cue/behavior (such as “ready, find it”)
Familiarity with treat scatters used outside
1-2 skills or patterns you can use to create space, such as backpedaling, flight cue, magnet hand, etc.
A reinforcement history behind offered check-ins on walks
You’re never expected to be perfect, but this isn’t the place to learn these skills. We’re learning how to implement known skills in the context of a parallel walk.
Lastly, please make sure you know what I mean when I reference the following concepts:
Threshold (above/below)
Cooperative working relationship (vs obedience)
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I can’t coach you if we’re not speaking the same language, so both you and your dog need to have a strong understanding of the aforementioned skills and concepts.
That said, most positive reinforcement, force-free trainers teach these, so you don’t have to be one of my clients (past or present) to participate.
If your dog was trained using methods other than force-free, positive reinforcement training, or using tools other than a non-restrictive harness, then we won’t have the same expectations for and understanding of our dogs and how we relate to them in a context like this. For this reason, folks in this category are not eligible for my parallel walks.
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Yes, so long as there are two open spots on the same date. Each guardian will need to register separately and select the same date.
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Yes, you can sign up for as many dates as you’d like.
The more successful parallel walks your dog experiences, the more comfortable they become.
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Parallel walk packing list:
High-value food to use as reinforcement.
Treat pouch to hold said food. Make sure you can get your hand in and out QUICKLY AND EASILY.
6-10’ leash that you’re comfortable handling.
Water for you and your dog, and a water bowl for your dog.
Your dog should arrive wearing a properly fit non-restrictive Y-front harness.
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My priority with any and all training endeavors is the dog’s wellbeing. Therefore, all dogs should be wearing a properly fit harness, preferably a non-restrictive y-front harness.
The gear you put on your dog can have a significant impact on their experience and their overall wellbeing, so I take this very seriously.
Benefits of parallel walks
Parallel walks are the best way to introduce your dog to others. Learning how to customize the parallel walking experience to meet your dog’s needs opens up the opportunity to explore potential dog friendships or walking buddies.
Even dogs who don’t want to play with other dogs can benefit from being around other dogs in a safe, controlled way, such as walking together (each with their own handler).
Dogs who love other dogs and always want to interact benefit tremendously from learning how to chill out and coexist.
Dogs who are working on reactivity can benefit from repeated positive experiences such as low-pressure parallel walks.
Learning and practicing parallel walking benefits you, too. You learn how to customize it, what to look for, what to prioritize, etc. Plus, every parallel walk builds your confidence!
Last but not least, having a sensitive dog can feel isolating at times. The ability to walk together with another dog-guardian team opens up more opportunities for connection.
What to expect
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I’ll share instructions in advance. There will be plenty of space between dogs to avoid surprise encounters.
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Each dog will have a few minutes to explore the new environment and get acclimated, then we’ll begin with some observation of each other from a distance.
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Walks will begin with lots of distance between each other, and I’ll guide you through the process of how and when to drift together.
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For dog-guardian teams who are ready for a challenge, we’ll incorporate more advanced exercises and potentially explore interactions.
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We’ll end on a positive note, and I’ll chat very briefly with each dog-guardian team to answer any questions.