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Ah yes, the holidays in Orlando. That magical time when half the neighborhood puts up decorations way too early, the weather drops five degrees and everyone starts wearing sweaters like we suddenly live in Vermont, and your family announces—usually with no warning—that they’re “swinging by” for the holidays.
You know who’s not ready for this?
Your dog.
More specifically, the dog who pulls on the leash like they’re towing a parade float.
Because nothing says “holiday stress” like walking your dog before guests arrive and returning home looking like you just lost a wrestling match with a furry kettlebell.
So let’s fix that.
Let’s turn your leash-pulling, arm-yanking, shoulder-dislocating Orlando dog into a calm, collected holiday angel—before Aunt Carol sees you getting dragged down the driveway like a festive sled.
It’s not in your imagination—your dog is wilder this time of year.
Cooler air hits Orlando and your dog suddenly has the energy of a toddler who drank a Red Bull. It’s like they’ve been waiting all year for this weather.
Inflatable Santa? Light-up snowman? Twelve-foot LED reindeer?
Your dog is experiencing a sensory explosion and wants to inspect every single thing immediately.
You’re cleaning. Moving furniture. Making grocery lists.
Your dog sees all this commotion and thinks, “Ah yes. Chaos. Let me contribute.”
More walks. More people. More doorbells. More distractions.
Your dog is basically starring in their own mental action movie.
Dogs don’t pull because they’re jerks. They pull because:
They walk faster than us
They’re curious
They’re overstimulated
They’ve accidentally been rewarded for pulling
They think they have to be in front
Or, my personal favorite:
They have absolutely no idea what you want from them
Let’s help them figure it out.
This is your holiday survival training. Let’s get into it.
This is simple.
This is effective.
This will confuse your dog in a healthy way.
The second your dog pulls = you stop.
Not later.
Not after three steps.
Not after saying, “Stop pulling!” thirteen times.
Just freeze like you spotted a neighbor putting up Christmas lights before Halloween.
Your dog learns:
Pulling = no movement.
Loose leash = forward progress.
Dogs love moving forward.
Make them earn it.
Any time your dog walks beside you calmly—even for half a second—reward them.
Verbal praise.
Treats.
Little pieces of turkey (after it's cooked, please).
If calm walking pays well, they’ll do it again.
If pulling gets them nothing?
They’ll chill out.
This is your momentum cue.
When the leash is loose, cheerfully say: “Let’s go!”
This teaches your dog that you decide when movement happens—not their squirrel-chasing instincts.
When they pull?
Back to standing still. No exceptions.
Inconsistent rules lead to inconsistent dogs.
When your dog starts pulling forward, turn around and walk in the opposite direction.
No scolding.
No drama.
Just a casual U-turn like you're avoiding an ex at the mall.
They’ll quickly realize:
Pulling doesn’t just stop the walk—it reverses it.
This method has saved more shoulders than physical therapy.
Holiday chaos starts at home.
Before your dog can walk politely past inflatable snowmen, they need to walk politely around:
Your living room
Your kitchen
Your hallway
Inside = fewer distractions.
Which means faster learning.
Which means fewer embarrassing moments when guests arrive.
If your dog has the energy of a caffeinated elf, trying to leash train them with full battery power is a disaster.
Play fetch.
Do a quick training session.
Use a puzzle toy.
Tire them out before the walk, and suddenly they’re much more interested in listening.
Here’s the thing: your dog reads your emotions like a toddler with a picture book.
If you're stressed:
Cleaning the house
Cooking for family
Arguing with someone about the turkey temperature
Your dog feels all of it.
Try to approach training like you’re hosting a cheerful holiday baking show, not a chaotic game of “Find the Matching Tupperware Lids.”
At Sit Happens Orlando, we don’t just train your dog in a quiet space.
We train:
At your door
On your street
In your actual Orlando neighborhood
Around your actual holiday decorations
With all your real distractions
Because guess what?
Decorations, guests, nice weather, and your hectic routine are exactly what trigger leash pulling.
So we train in the environment where your dog needs it most.
And the results?
Chef’s kiss.
Holiday miracle levels.
🐾 Leash pulling
🐾 Jumping up on guests
🐾 Excessive barking (you know who you are)
🐾 Running away during walks
🐾 Basic obedience
🐾 Holiday-proof manners
If you want your dog to greet your in-laws politely instead of lassoing them with the leash, we’ve got you.
Family arrives.
You answer the door.
Your dog sits calmly next to you like an angel wearing fur.
You clip on the leash.
You walk outside.
No pulling.
No lunging.
No reenacting a Christmas carol called The Leash That Tried to Kill Me.
Just… calm.
Joyful.
Peaceful holiday energy.
Yes. It’s possible.
And yes, we can help you make it real before guests arrive.
🎁 Book your in-home dog training session with Sit Happens Orlando today and turn holiday chaos into holiday confidence.
Your dog can do this.
You can do this.
And your arms? They deserve a break.
