🐶Walk, Play, Train: Making Every Charleston Outing a Teaching Moment

🦴 TL;DR:

Dog walks aren't just for exercise—they're a perfect time to teach skills like recall, impulse control, and loose leash walking. Add fun training games like “Red Light, Green Light,” “Find It,” and “123 Walking” to level up your walks. Bonus points for using local Charleston parks as your training ground!

Why Add Training Games to Walks?

As Charleston dog walkers and sitters, we at Charleston Pet Nanny know how hectic life can be. Adding training games to your daily dog walk keeps your pup mentally stimulated and helps reinforce good behavior—without needing extra time out of your day.

These games are especially helpful for:

• Improving recall (coming when called)

• Building impulse control

• Practicing loose leash walking in real-world settings

• Strengthening the bond between you and your dog 🐕

🎲 3 Fun Dog Training Games to Try on Walks

1. “Red Light, Green Light” Recall Game

Great for: Recall & responsiveness

Let your dog wander ahead on a longer leash. Then:

• Call their name + “Come!”

• If they return = reward with high-value treats 🎉

• If they don’t = say “Red light!” and stop walking until they engage

• Once they look or move toward you = “Green light!” and resume

➡️ Increase distance & distractions over time for a challenge.

2. “Find It” Scent Game

Great for: Mental enrichment & nose work

Secretly toss a treat or two in the grass and cue “Find it!” Let your pup sniff it out.

• Use safe, natural treats that are easy to spot

• Try it in parks like Hampton Park or James Island County Park

• Hide treats under leaves, logs, or benches for extra fun

3. “123 Walking” Impulse Control Game

Great for: Leash etiquette & focus

Start walking with a loose leash. Then say:
“1, 2, 3, walk!” → Take a few steps → Stop suddenly

• Wait for your pup to sit at your side

• Reward with a treat

• Repeat with increasing step counts & distractions

Ideal for preparing your dog for crowded events or public spaces around Charleston.

🐾 Tailoring Games to Your Dog’s Age

Every dog learns at a different pace. Here’s how to adapt your walks by age:

🐶 Puppies (4–12 weeks) – Socialization stage

Introduce new sights, sounds, people, and gentle games like “Find It” for confidence building.

🐕 Young pups (12–24 weeks) – Training-ready stage

Start recall and impulse control games. This is your golden window to instill good habits.

🐕‍🦺 Adolescents (6+ months) – Challenge zone

Add distractions, increase game difficulty, and consider Charleston obedience classes for group learning.

✅ Dog Walk Training Tips for Success

• Bring high-value treats—small, smelly ones work best

• Keep sessions short and reward often

• Don’t push it—stop if your dog gets frustrated

• Stay positive, be patient, and have fun!

👉 Need help? Contact a professional dog trainer—or reach out to us at Charleston Pet Nanny for trusted local pet care and dog walking in Charleston.

🌴 Make Charleston Your Training Playground

Charleston is full of pup-friendly places to train and explore:

• 🌳 Hampton Park – shady paths, lots of scents

• 🌊 Sullivan’s Island – perfect for recall games (check leash laws)

• 🌆 Downtown strolls – practice leash etiquette in high-distraction zones

Just remember to:

• Bring water

• Watch for heatstroke signs

• Follow leash laws & park rules

🐕‍🦺 Final Thoughts

Dog training doesn’t have to mean boring drills in your backyard. With a little creativity, your Charleston dog walks can be the highlight of your pup’s day—and a great way to build obedience, confidence, and joy 🐾

📞 Need backup?
Whether you’re working late or headed on vacation, we’re here to help with:
✅ Personalized pet sitting
✅ Reliable Charleston dog walking
✅ Puppy check-ins
👉 Book with Charleston Pet Nanny