How we walk our dog: Tools, terminology, and more

First written in September 2020 and last updated in October 2021.

“Walking the dog” is a quintessential picture of canine companionship. I love taking my blue heeler, Scout, on a variety of different adventures!

No two days are exactly the same for us. Since we change it up and use a bit of “dog world” jargon, I’ve gotten a few questions about our specific walking tools and definitions.

Here are all the details!

Terms I use to describe our walks

Loose-leash liberty

At its simplest, loose-leash liberty means Scout has freedom within the leash boundaries. She is “at liberty” to make her own decisions as long as she meets the constraint of keeping the leash loose.

Loose-leash liberty is my ultimate goal when I have Scout in public. I want her to be able to take in the environment and make good decisions on her own—without me needing to keep her under command.

What does loose-leash liberty look like on a collar?

• No pulling. I correct back into the appropriate behavior with a verbal or soft collar …