Walk Less, Train More: Quality Dog Training Advice

Quality Over Quantity: Walk Less, Train More

Here’s your permission to walk less and train more.

Many dog owners feel like the only way to meet the needs of their high-drive, working-breed dogs is to walk them further and further as their behaviour escalates. But in reality, there’s far greater benefit in focusing on quality over quantity when it comes to dog training.

Whether you’re working on gundog training or teaching your dog to walk nicely on the lead, shorter, focused sessions often produce faster, more sustainable results.

Why Quality Over Quantity Matters

Working dogs, such as gundogs or herding breeds, thrive on mental and physical stimulation that enriches their natural instincts and skills. Walking endlessly without purpose often reinforces unwanted behaviours like pulling, overexcitement, or frustration.

By investing time into purposeful training sessions instead of repetitive long walks, you can teach your dog the behaviours you want. Early development lays the foundation for years of enjoyable companionship, and this approach works for family pets and gundogs alike.

A 20-Minute Training Example with My Spaniel

To show you how this can work, here’s an example of how I structured a recent 20-minute training session with my own Spaniel:

1. Warm-Up: Building Focus and Engagement

• Practised sit-stays, increasing the duration up to 2 minutes.
• Gradually increased distractions to challenge her focus.

2. Drills: Working on Specific Goals

• Ran three retrieving drills targeting memory, steadiness, and marking ability.
• Used a place board to encourage steadiness.

3. Cool-Down: Ending with Calm

• Finished with a short loop around the nature reserve to allow decompression.

This short session met her physical and mental needs, reinforced specific behaviours, and kept her motivated to work with me.

What’s the Problem with Long, Unfocused Walks?

Many owners worry that walking less will negatively impact their dog, leading to boredom or frustration. However, these long walks often repeat the same behavioural issues instead of addressing them. For example:

• A dog that pulls on the lead will continue to pull unless given targeted heelwork training.
• Overexcited behaviour is unlikely to resolve without practising calm engagement exercises.

Walking further isn’t always the solution—training smarter is.

How to Train Quality Over Quantity

Here’s how you can make the most of your time with a focused training plan:

Set Clear Goals for Each Session

Before heading out, decide what you want to achieve. For example:

• Heelwork: Practise short bursts of focus and control to teach your dog to walk nicely on the lead.
• Retrieve Training: Use drills to improve steadiness and delivery.
• Place Board Work: Reinforce boundaries, positioning, or calm behaviours.

Adjust Duration Based on Your Goals

A 15-30 minute session, broken into 2 or 3 smaller exercises, is far more productive than an hour-long walk that reinforces problem behaviours.

Make It Fun and Rewarding

Training should be enjoyable for both you and your dog. Use treats, toys, and praise to keep motivation high.

If you’re looking for expert help to implement this approach, I provide personalized support for gundog training and obedience training. Whether you’re in Barton, Balsham, or other areas nearby Cambridge, I can help you transform your dog’s behaviour.

https://angliandogworks.com/collections/adw-dog-training-cambridge

Final Thoughts: Less Can Be More

By focusing on quality over quantity, you’ll not only meet your dog’s needs but also strengthen your bond and achieve faster results. Purposeful training enriches your dog’s day and leaves them fulfilled.

Next time you’re tempted to walk further to tire out your dog, try swapping it for a focused training session instead. You’ll both see the difference.