Does Your Dog Pull, Bark, or React on Walks? Here’s How We Handle It

How our Training Walks build calm, confidence, and better leash behavior—one step at a time.

We’ve all been there: you clip on the leash, step outside, and before you’ve even made it to the end of the driveway, your dog is lunging toward a squirrel, barking at a neighbor’s dog, or zigzagging so hard your arm feels like it’s in a tug-of-war. If walks with your pup feel more stressful than peaceful, you’re not alone—and we’re here to help.

At Barkside Bay, we offer a special service designed just for pups who struggle with leash manners, reactivity, or anxiety: Training Walks. These aren’t your average strolls around the block—they’re intentional, structured sessions that help your dog build better habits, feel more secure, and learn how to calmly navigate the world around them.

Let us tell you how it works—and how it’s changed the lives of dogs (and their humans) in our care.

What Are Training Walks?

Our Training Walks are one-on-one, behavior-focused sessions led by experienced walkers who specialize in supporting reactive, anxious, or overly excited pups.

They’re perfect for dogs who:

• Pull like a sled dog on leash

• Bark, lunge, or growl at other dogs, people, bikes, or cars

• Shut down and refuse to walk at all

• Get overstimulated or anxious outside

We use positive reinforcement, consistency, and a calm presence to help your dog develop confidence and learn to handle the world more peacefully. It’s not about pushing them—it’s about empowering them.

🐾 Meet Murphy: From Fearful to Joyful

When we first met Murphy, a sweet black lab with big eyes and a bigger heart, he was struggling. Walks were tough—really tough.

Murphy was reactive to other dogs, loud noises, and anything unfamiliar. He’d bark and lunge when he saw another dog, and often froze in fear at unexpected sounds. Walks became a source of anxiety for both Murphy and his family. They wanted to help him, but weren’t sure where to start.

That’s when they signed up for our Training Walks.

We started slow. At first, our focus was on building trust—showing Murphy that walks could be calm, predictable, and even enjoyable. We worked on leash skills, rewarding him for checking in, staying close, and disengaging from distractions. We carefully chose quiet routes and avoided high-stress situations while gradually building his confidence.

And over time, something amazing happened: Murphy changed. He started walking with more pep in his step. His reactivity decreased. He began sniffing, exploring, and even wagging his tail when it was time to go outside.

Now, Murphy not only continues walking confidently with our team—he’s also enjoys peaceful walks with his own family.

🐕 Meet Piper: Our “Last Resort” Pup

Piper’s owner reached out when they were just about out of options. She was highly reactive on leash, barking and lunging at every dog she saw. They were getting ready to move to a busy, dog-filled city, and walks were already difficult in their quiet neighborhood. The idea of managing her in an urban setting felt overwhelming.

They told us, honestly, that Barkside Bay was their last resort.

With Piper, we built a plan. We intentionally walked in areas with controlled exposure—places where we were likely to encounter dogs at a distance and could work through those moments calmly. We helped her learn to disengage, check in, and trust that she didn’t have to react.

Piper blossomed. Her reactivity diminished, her focus improved, and her humans began to see a whole new side of her. When they moved to the city, they did so with confidence—knowing Piper had the tools to succeed.

🐩 Meet Benny: A Daycare Dropout Who Needed Space

Then there’s Benny, a spirited doodle whose reactivity began after an unexpected source: doggie daycare.

At first, Benny loved it. But after several months in a high-energy, overstimulating environment, his behavior began to shift while on walks with his family. He became more anxious, more easily triggered, and started barking and lunging at other dogs on walks simply out of frustration.

When they came to us, they were confused. Benny hadn’t always been like this—he used to be social and easygoing. But after hearing about his daycare experiences, we suspected that the overstimulation and lack of rest in that setting had led to emotional burnout and reactivity simply due to frustration.

Through Training Walks, we gave Benny what he’d been missing: structure, decompression, and space.

We stuck to quiet routes, rewarded calm behavior, and focused on helping him reconnect with his surroundings in a safe, relaxed way. As the weeks went by, Benny found his groove again. The barking lessened. His body softened. He began to enjoy his walks—and his humans reported that even his behavior at home improved.

Benny’s story is a powerful reminder that reactivity isn’t always about aggression—it’s often about overload. And with the right approach, it can be unlearned.

How Our Training Walks Help

Training Walks are personalized for your pup, and they’re designed to create real, lasting change—not quick fixes. Our walkers work closely with your dog at their pace, gradually introducing challenges as your pup is ready for them. You’ll receive detailed updates after each session so you know exactly how things are going, and you can always reach us in real time through the Time to Pet messaging center.

These walks help dogs:

• Build confidence in new or overstimulating environments

• Learn leash manners in a gentle, consistent way

• Work through anxiety, reactivity, or overstimulation

• Re-engage with their humans in a positive, trusting way

We’re not just teaching dogs how to walk—we’re teaching them how to feel better on walks.

Ready to Help Your Dog (and You!) Enjoy Walks Again?

Whether your dog is a leash-puller, a reactive barker, or just seems overwhelmed outside, we’re here to help. Our Training Walks are transforming the way dogs experience the world—and giving their families the peace and joy that walking together should bring.

Reach out through your Time to Pet portal or send us a message to schedule your dog’s first Training Walk. We can’t wait to meet them, cheer them on, and walk with them toward progress—one step at a time.