11/07/2025
Do you let your dog lead their walk?
I let Bella lead the walk this morning.
Not in a big, dramatic way — just quietly, watching where her head turned. Pausing when she paused. Letting her set the pace and the path.
She took me through the woods, choosing her routes with care. We got stuck at one point, and I had to slightly redirect her, otherwise I would have had to clamber through the shrubs 🤣🤣
Eventually, she brought us to the road where my mum and dad live.
She slowed down… and then walked straight past.
I don’t know what she was thinking. I don’t need to.
But it felt meaningful — for both of us — to let her choose.
When we let our dogs lead (even just a little), something shifts.
Their breathing slows. Their eyes soften.
They start to regulate, to decompress.
They feel heard — in a language that doesn’t need words.
Sometimes the best walks are chosen by your dog.
They’re about quiet moments, shared choices, and a bit of mutual curiosity.
At some point we may need to say “we gotta go home” but in fairness to Bella she did aim for home anyway 😆 breakfast is calling so she wouldn’t dare be out any longer than is necessary!
Letting your dog lead won’t make your dog be “top dog”. They won’t turn into a film character where they get given power and use it for bad 😅
They’ll come back happier, regulated and content .
Why not try it - report back. Did they take you somewhere unexpected? How did they seem afterwards?
Stay cool everyone, hopefully you’ve all got out before the sun ☀️ heats the world up!
