Welcome to Dan Perata's Training Blog

Good day, my name is Dan Perata, and the plan here is to communicate useful content as often as possible, covering all areas of training and dog ownership. We will be discussing canine energy, separation anxiety, variations of aggression, introducing new pets to kids, and new kids to pets. Communication, crate training, housebreaking, leash reaction, and an expansive and ever developing multitude of other topics! Got a subject you would like to see covered? Drop us an email request at blog@danperata.com and we’ll do our best to include. I truly look forward to being a comprehensive resource of all things dog!!!

The first area we are going to cover is the walk. If you are an existing client, or plan to be one soon, you will hear me say, “It all begins with the walk”, followed by my second favorite saying, “Relax and keep moving!”

The most common complaint that I receive from prospective clients is that their dog does not walk well on the leash. You know why? Because going outside of its home on a leash is a scary thing for a dog at first. And if it doesn’t trust its owner’s decisions, it will rely on its two main lines of defense—flight or fight!

Having your pet walk comfortably on a leash next to your side is not only a great pleasure, but is a cornerstone to your dog’s behavior and training process. You have to keep in mind that you are constantly having a conversation with your dog through the leash. Specifically, your dog communicates on energy and smell. Because of these sensory perceptions, your dog is constantly reacting to its environment. How many of you can relate to this scenario? Go out for a walk, and your dog is out in front, pulling you down the street, nose to the ground sniffing everything and anything, constantly scanning its surroundings, and no longer following your commands. Sound familiar? Your dog is walking you! Allowing (insert name here) to lead inadvertently puts him in charge! This behavior leads to a host of other more severe issues, including separation anxiety, leash aggression, and lack of recall, to name a few.

So why does your dog react this way to the leash? If the leash is taut, a few things are happening: 1. Your dog is not paying attention to you, and 2. He perceives that leash as negative energy and a reminder that he cannot use his first line of defense, flight.

To correct this behavior, we will take a walk together and work on leash skills, which train both you and your dog.

Remember, you always want to make the decisions for your dog, not the other way around, and the leash is the first place to start!

Welcome to the path!!!