February is recognized as Dog Training Education Month, a reminder that training isn’t just something that happens in a class; it’s something that happens every day. While professional dog trainers play an essential role in teaching new skills, consistency between sessions helps those skills stick. At Hearts at Home Pet Sitting, our dog walkers offer that consistency. While dog walking is not a replacement for training, it can meaningfully support and reinforce the work families are already doing. Here are 3 awesome ways our dog walkers reinforce dog training.
1. Providing Healthy Outlets for Energy
One of the most overlooked elements of training success is exercise. Dogs with excess energy often struggle to focus, regulate their behavior, or respond reliably to cues. For this reason, regular, structured walks provide:
- Physical exercise that supports overall health
- A healthy outlet for challenging emotions
- Mental stimulation through sniffing and exploration
- Reduced restlessness and pent-up energy
When dogs have appropriate outlets for energy, they’re more capable of practicing calm behaviors and responding to cues. A dog who has had a midday walk is often more balanced and receptive than a dog who has been stuck indoors all day.
In communities like Yorktown, Poquoson, Newport News, and Hampton, VA, where many families commute or manage busy schedules, midday walks can be especially valuable in preventing the buildup of energy that sometimes shows up as barking, chewing, overexcitement, and other “bad” behaviors.
2. Rewarding Good Manners in Real-Life Settings
Training doesn’t only happen during designated sessions. It happens during everyday moments. Professional dog walkers can reinforce polite behaviors during real-world interactions and walks.
This may include:
- Waiting calmly at the door before leashing up and exiting
- Walking on a loose leash
- Sitting before crossing streets
- Greeting people appropriately
When dog walkers consistently acknowledge and reward desired behaviors, dogs learn that good manners matter everywhere, not just during formal lessons. This type of reinforcement strengthens habits through repetition in natural environments. The more they are rewarded for the behaviors we want to see, the more likely they are to repeat them.
3. Reinforcing Boundaries and Practicing Cues
With clear communication from clients or your dog trainer, our dog walkers can also help reinforce specific cues and boundaries during visits. We encourage you to outline the cues you use with your pets in their TTP profiles so our team is aware and we can be consistent during visits.
Examples include:
- Practicing “sit,” “down,” “off,” “stay,”or “wait”
- Reinforcing polite leash handling or walking through doorways calmly
- Maintaining household limits like not jumping up during greetings, waiting before food or treats, respecting thresholds, and not sniffing inappropriately
By practicing cues and limits consistently, dogs receive repeated exposure to expectations in a low-pressure setting. This repetition, from members of the family and caregivers outside the family, helps build clarity.
As I noted above, it’s important to note that professional dog walkers follow client instructions and respect the training approach chosen by the family. When expectations are aligned, walks become an extension of the training plan rather than a separate experience. At Hearts at Home Pet Sitting, we are happy to support training that is positive reinforcement-based and fear-free. We do not use aversive methods or punishment when interacting with the pets in our care.
3 Awesome Ways Our Dog Walkers Reinforce Dog Training
Training success is rarely about intensity; it’s about consistency. Small, daily reinforcements add up over time.
During Dog Training Education Month and beyond, it’s worth remembering that everyone involved in a dog’s routine plays a role. At Hearts at Home Pet Sitting, we are proud to support the training goals of families across Hampton Roads by providing structured, thoughtful walks that help dogs practice what they’ve learned. Because training doesn’t end when class does!
The Best Dog Walkers in Yorktown, Poquoson, and Neighboring Communities
Hearts at Home Pet Sitting has been the most trusted dog walking and pet sitting company in Yorktown, Poquoson, Newport News, and Hampton, VA, since 2012. Our dog walking, dog sitting, and cat sitting services are tailored to each family and pet’s needs, ensuring your peace of mind and their safety every day and every visit.
To register your pet(s) or home with us, please complete a new client questionnaire here. Existing clients may request services here.
Please visit our website or contact us by email at Hello@HeartsAtHomePetSitting.com or by phone at 757-745-9868 to learn more.
Those outside our service area are encouraged to find a pet sitter near you at the Pet Sitters International or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters websites.
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