You come home after a long, grinding day.
And there it is.
That greeting.
Tail whipping like a helicopter with no regard for physics.
Whole body vibrating with joy.
You’re home. You’re HOME. YOU’RE HOME.
No one—no one—will ever be this consistently thrilled to see you for the rest of your life.
Your dog has spent the day waiting.
You’ve spent the day working for the biscuits.
You’re tired.
Your dog? Just getting started.
You grab the leash. Your dog barely contains himself. The door opens, and the outside rushes in—air thick with information, stories, and smells you barely register.
Your dog surges forward, overflowing with delight.
You tighten your grip. Brace your body.
Here we go.
When Walks Stop Feeling Like Joy
Walking your dog can be wonderful.
But let’s be honest—often it’s frustrating.
You’re thinking:
Let’s just get this done.
No pulling.
No stopping.
No sniffing every five feet.
We are WALKING.
Your dog is thinking:
This is my favorite part of the entire day.
The world has been waiting for me.
There are messages here I must read immediately.
Two very different agendas.
Somewhere along the way, we decided walks needed to look controlled, orderly, and purposeful—or else the dog was “running the show.”
But what if we’ve been missing something?
What If Your Dog Led… Just a Little?
What if—just for this moment in your packed, task-driven life—you let your dog lead?
Not recklessly.
Not unsafely.
But curiously.
Dogs don’t need meditation apps or yoga poses to be present. They are present. Fully. Always.
And if you let them, they can bring you there too.
Humans experience the world primarily through sight.
Dogs experience it through scent.
While our minds spin with thoughts, plans, and judgments, dogs are absorbing what is—right now—without commentary.
Lucky creatures.
Following Changes Everything
To follow, you have to be present.
And when you follow someone with a completely different way of perceiving the world, something shifts.
Your dog’s nose isn’t just better than yours—it’s on another planet entirely. It’s pulling information from layers of reality you’ll never access on your own.
My dogs have led me to:
Flowers I never noticed
Tiny creatures hidden in plain sight
Moments of stillness I wouldn’t have chosen—but needed
They expanded my world by slowing me down.
Let the Sniffing Happen
Here’s the reframe:
It’s not the distance that matters.
It’s the experience.
Sniffing isn’t wasted time—it’s mental enrichment, emotional regulation, and exploration rolled into one. A ten-minute sniff-heavy walk can be more satisfying than a rushed mile.
Stop.
Let your dog investigate.
Let them show you something.
For a few minutes, the world can exist without human judgment, productivity, or urgency.
That’s no small gift.
And Yes—We Still Guide
Of course, we don’t abandon responsibility.
Dogs are not known for prioritizing safety.
And if your dog is a serious puller, that’s exhausting—and it is something you can (and should) train.
There are times when we guide, cue, and structure the walk to navigate sidewalks, streets, and shared spaces safely.
But outside of those moments?
A walk doesn’t need to be a military parade.
It’s not a power struggle.
And it’s definitely not a test of who’s “in charge.”
Sometimes, it’s an invitation.
Let your dog lead—and watch your world quietly expand.
Until next time, Have Fun & Enjoy Your Dog!
Jody Karow – CTC
Dog Life Coach & Founder of Go Anywhere Dog®
P.S. Don’t forget to check out our online dog training program for living your best life with your dog!
P.P.S. Don’t miss our local services in Minneapolis, Minnetonka & Edina, MN areas providing In Home Puppy & Dog Training and Puppy Classes for raising a Go Anywhere Dog®.
