Alright, Orlando. Spring is here. The sun is out, the tourists are sweating, and your dog? Your dog is still dragging you down the street like you owe them money.
Let’s be honest—your leash skills are looking like an extreme sport. Your pup sees a squirrel, and suddenly, you're a contestant on America’s Funniest Home Videos. That’s not a walk—that’s a public humiliation tour.
But hey, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone. Half of Orlando is out here getting dragged through Lake Eola like it’s a Fast & Furious stunt. That’s why leash manners and obedience training are must-haves—not just for your dignity but for your dog’s safety.
So, let’s fix this.
Look, Florida’s got gators. We got tourists who don’t look before crossing the street. We got joggers, strollers, and those people on rollerblades who think they’re in the X-Games.
You need control over your dog.
If your pup is out here pulling, lunging, or stopping dead in their tracks like a toddler who saw a toy aisle, you’re putting both of you at risk. Proper leash manners mean no yanking, no dragging, no impromptu chase scenes. It means a peaceful, enjoyable walk—like one of those Instagram dog moms but with less matching outfits.
✅ Walks beside you instead of across three lanes of traffic
✅ Doesn’t pull like they’re training for the Iditarod
✅ Listens when you say “heel” instead of saying “nah”
✅ Doesn’t wrap the leash around your legs like a human burrito
This isn’t just about looking good on a walk—it’s about safety, obedience, and making sure your neighbors don’t cross the street when they see you coming.
You ever see those people getting yanked around by a 90-pound dog attached to a string? That’s a trip to the ER waiting to happen.
Invest in:
✔ A properly fitted harness or martingale collar
✔ A 6-foot leash (not one of those retractable nightmares that turn your dog into a bungee jumper)
✔ Some high-value treats (because bribery works on dogs just like it works on toddlers)
Your dog doesn’t lead the expedition—you do. When they start pulling ahead like they just heard free steak is around the corner, STOP.
👉 Stand still. Don’t budge. Act like your feet are glued to the ground.
👉 When your dog realizes pulling gets them nowhere, they’ll come back to check on you.
👉 The moment they do? Praise. Treat. Keep walking.
👉 Repeat. Every single time.
It’ll take patience, but eventually, your dog will realize “Oh, walking WITH my human means I actually get places.”
Here’s the deal: Dogs do what works for them. If pulling gets them closer to the dog park, guess what? They’re gonna pull harder than a bodybuilder at a deadlift competition.
Flip the script. Only move forward when the leash is loose. Reward calm walking. If they yank? Boom. Walk stops.
Dogs don’t argue—they adjust. If pulling gets them nowhere, they’ll stop doing it. Unlike your stubborn uncle at Thanksgiving, dogs actually learn from their mistakes.
Alright, leash manners are a good start. But obedience training? That’s where the magic happens.
Obedience isn’t about turning your dog into a military-grade robot—it’s about making life easier. Because if your dog doesn’t listen inside the house, they’re definitely not gonna listen when you’re outside, surrounded by squirrels, joggers, and that one off-leash poodle that thinks it owns the sidewalk.
✔ Short training sessions – Dogs have shorter attention spans than people in a WiFi outage.
✔ Big rewards – Dogs work for food, praise, and that one squeaky toy they love more than life itself.
✔ Consistency – If you let them jump on guests one day and punish them the next, your dog will start thinking you’re just making up rules for fun.
Look, training in Florida’s summer heat is a whole different struggle. You’re out here sweating, your dog is panting like they just ran a marathon, and nobody’s having a good time.
Spring? Spring is the sweet spot. Cooler mornings, less humidity, fewer tourists clogging up your walking routes. It’s the perfect time to train, walk, and actually enjoy the process.
🐶 Lake Eola Park – Test those leash skills with distractions everywhere.
🐶 Baldwin Park Dog Trail – Because training is easier when the scenery is nice.
🐶 Mead Botanical Garden – Great for training “heel” without random squirrels throwing off your progress.
Listen, you COULD try to train your dog alone. You COULD keep watching YouTube tutorials while your dog turns your backyard into a mud pit of destruction. Or, you could just call the experts.
Sit Happens Orlando is here to make training easy, fun, and frustration-free.
🐾 One-on-one, in-home training – Because distractions don’t help when your dog already thinks the couch is a trampoline.
🐾 Personalized plans – Every dog is different. Your chihuahua and your neighbor’s German shepherd do NOT need the same lessons.
🐾 Results that stick – Because nobody wants to re-train their dog every six months.
Spring is here, and it’s time to enjoy walks without feeling like you’re in an action movie. Hit us up. Let’s get your dog trained, your arms un-sore, and your walks peaceful.
🐶 Schedule your first session today with Sit Happens Orlando! 🐶
