Common Walking Mistakes Maryland Pet Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Even the most loving Maryland dog owners can unknowingly reinforce bad walking habits. In places like Annapolis, Severna Park, and Crofton—where daily walks are part of the routine—it’s easy to assume that more miles = better behavior.

But the truth is: it’s not just about walking your dog. It’s about how you walk them.

At Pup Scouts, we specialize in structure-first services that help dogs build focus, regulation, and calm behavior. That starts by avoiding the five most common mistakes we see on Maryland sidewalks every day.

❌ Mistake #1: Letting the Dog Lead the Walk

Dogs don’t need to “explore freely” on every walk. In fact, giving full control of the route, pace, and direction sends the message that they’re in charge—and that creates confusion and instability.

✅ What to do instead: Use a consistent pace, route, and starting point. Your dog should move with you, not ahead of you.

❌ Mistake #2: Using a Retractable Leash

These leashes encourage:

• Inconsistent leash tension

• Sudden lunging

• Lack of direction or pacing

• Unsafe control around traffic or dogs

✅ What to do instead: Use a 4–6 ft standard leash with a flat collar or front-clip harness. You’ll reinforce boundaries, not stretch them.

❌ Mistake #3: Letting Dogs Greet on Leash

On-leash greetings often:

• Create leash frustration and reactivity

• Reinforce impulsivity

• Trap dogs in confrontational body language

✅ What to do instead: Teach “see another dog = stay calm and keep walking.” This builds neutrality, not dependency on interaction.

❌ Mistake #4: Changing Walkers Too Often

Dogs build trust through consistency. Having multiple rotating walkers—whether it’s neighbors, sitters, or apps—can delay progress and confuse behavioral expectations.

✅ What Pup Scouts does: Assigns one dedicated professional walker for every dog. Same person, same route, every time.

❌ Mistake #5: Walking Only for Physical Exercise

Many owners think a tired dog is a good dog. But too much physical output without mental structure just builds a stronger, more impatient dog.

✅ What to do instead: Focus on mental regulation through repetition—that’s how structured walks build real-life reliability.

What Maryland Clients Say After Switching to Pup Scouts

✔️ “He doesn’t pull anymore—he just walks next to her like he’s been trained.”

✔️ “We’ve stopped doing random playdates and started seeing real results.”

✔️ “It’s like he knows when it’s time for structure—and he actually likes it.”

We Currently Serve:

📍 Annapolis

📍 Severna Park

📍 Crofton

📍 Arnold

📍 Edgewater

📍 and surrounding areas

Curious if we work in your area? Check here!

🎯 Want a Walk That Builds Behavior—Not Just Burns Energy?

→ Book your Pup Scouts consultation

Good habits start at the end of a leash.