PEAK9 Dog Training

Happy Stampede for us all in .

A friendly reminder that our dogs don't think fireworks are as spectacular as we do.

Dogs have much more sensitive hearing than us, and can detect higher frequencies.

Those pretty booms are louder and can cause sensory overload. Keep them safe inside, as their instinct is to run away.

Talk to your vet if need meds, and dont forget we are allowed and should console them when they are scared.

My trigger: Seeing people yank their dogs when they go to sniff.

They arent robots, sniffing is such an important part of their walk. They take in info, they leave info, it's enriching their lives, etc, etc... we shouldn't need to explain to let a dog do something natural to them.

A sniff takes 15-30 seconds. We control so much of their lives, let them have this. They arent with us very long, seconds is nothing to let them sniff when someday they wont be with us on a walk.

Last week, I met with a new dog walker.

She walked Brew first and said, "He's the easiest dog ever." And while that's often true, it's not the whole story. Brew's fears still need to be understood and respected, especially by someone new.

Then she walked Bronx, and they did great together. I felt confident watching them and feel comfortable with her taking him out.

As a trainer, this is something I never compromise on:

💯 It matters who walks my dogs.

Not just someone who likes dogs.

Someone with education, experience, and an understanding of fear, reactivity, and behavior. Someone who uses the tools I use—a harness, leash, and positive reinforcement with treats only.

It also matters that they take the time to do a proper meet-and-greet. To observe, ask questions, and learn about my dogs before taking the leash.

Yes, my standards are high.

But my dogs deserve that.

If someone is caring for your dog when you're not there, ask questions, set expectations, and advocate for what your dog needs. The right fit matters.


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Dogs naturally walk faster than we do, and for many of them, their daily walk is the highlight of their day. It’s their chance to get out into the world they love — taking in all the smells, sights, and experiences that make life exciting for them.

That’s one reason I personally don’t train a strict heel or correct my dog with leash jerks for walking ahead. First, I’m slower than Bronx anyway, and second, I want his walks to actually be enjoyable for him. As long as he isn’t pulling my arm out of the socket, I’m happy to let him move ahead, explore, and enjoy what is probably the most exciting part of his day.

Walks shouldn’t just be about control — they should also allow dogs to be dogs.