07/09/2026
Why do I always recommend a trial walk before taking a new dog on? 🐾
Today’s walk with Koda the Husky is the perfect example! When an owner mentions a dog might be a bit reactive, or when I'm taking on a bigger, stronger breed, a trial walk is the best way to get to know them safely and build trust.
I took Koda on my favorite test route, which lets me see how a dog handles all kinds of real-world situations:
📍 Quieter side roads to settle into the walk
📍 Busier main roads to check traffic and noise reactions
📍 Woodland paths to see how he handles closer dog encounters
📍 Open park areas to test his focus with dogs running off-lead at a distance
📍 Spotting cats, livestock, and other typical distractions along the way
Koda was brilliant! He didn't react to a single thing and was an absolute star from start to finish. ✨
Trial walks aren't about 'testing' a dog to fail them, they’re about understanding their boundaries so I can keep them safe, happy, and well-matched on future walks!
