3 Tips for Building Trust With a New Canine Client On their First Walk
Building trust with a new canine client can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for dog walkers. This article offers expert-backed strategies to ensure a successful first walk and establish a strong foundation for future interactions. From reinforcing eye contact to allowing the dog to set the pace, these tips will help create a safe and comfortable environment for both the walker and their furry companion.
- Reinforce Eye Contact for Trust
- Let the Dog Set the Pace
- Create a Safe Space for Exploration
Reinforce Eye Contact for Trust
Building Trust with New Canine Clients on First Walks
The most effective strategy for building trust with a new canine client on their first walk is establishing a relationship with that dog through reinforcing eye contact.
My Go-To Method
The best way to do this is to have food rewards easily accessible in a bait bag during your first walk. When the dog happens to look at you, say "good" and give them a food reward. What we're doing is reinforcing the dog for looking at us—making eye contact with us. This simple reward process teaches our dog that looking at us is a good thing and that they can look to us for guidance in the future.
The Long-Term Impact
Over time, if we're able to continue with this approach, something powerful happens: anytime our dog feels a little stressed out, anxious, or nervous about something going on around us, instead of being stressed or nervous about it, our dog will simply look at us and check in with us. We can say "good," reward them, or just keep walking—but the bottom line is our dog learns that by looking at us, they don't need to worry about anything that's going on around us.
Key Signals I Look For
The main signal I'm watching for is that initial eye contact—any moment when the dog chooses to look at me rather than focusing entirely on their environment. This tells me they're starting to see me as relevant and potentially trustworthy. Once I start getting those check-ins, especially in slightly stressful situations, I know we're building that crucial foundation of trust and communication.
Let the Dog Set the Pace
When I meet a new dog for the first time, I don't rush right into the walk. I let the dog set the pace. Sometimes that means kneeling down sideways, letting them sniff me, or even just standing quietly until they feel ready. Dogs communicate so much through body language—soft eyes, a loose tail wag, and relaxed ears tell me they're starting to feel comfortable. On the other hand, stiff posture, lip licking, or avoiding eye contact are signs I need to slow down and give them more space.
My go-to strategy is to pair calm energy with positive reinforcement. A few gentle words, some tasty treats, and keeping the leash loose can go a long way toward showing the dog that I'm safe and predictable. Trust starts with respect—and once a dog feels respected, the walk becomes a partnership instead of a tug-of-war.
Create a Safe Space for Exploration
Honestly, the best way I've found to build trust with a new dog on their first walk is to let them set the pace — literally and emotionally.
I never rush in with loads of energy or fuss. I just get down to their level, stay calm, and let them come to me for a sniff and a hello. It's like saying, "No pressure, I'm just here to hang out." My own dog Ted (he's a dachshund with a big personality) taught me a lot about reading body language. Some dogs are full of energy right away — tail wagging, ears up — but others need time to feel safe.
On the walk, I watch how they move — are they pulling back or sticking close? Are they curious or cautious? I give them space to explore and don't tug on the leash unless I absolutely have to. A few high-value treats help too — food is a great icebreaker!
It's not about being the boss straight away — it's about showing them they can relax around you. Once they know you've got their back, the trust builds naturally.
