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I agree, finding ways to enjoy the walk itself (in such good company) makes all the difference in engagement. When doing training walks with clients, I often wonder out loud what their dog might be smelling/hearing/thinking. It really puts a smile on my face when the clients join in! I know we are only guessing but educated-anthropomorphizing can be a great tool for building empathy.
I honestly think helping our clients see the joy that their dogs have being in motion and exploring while on their walks can be reinforcement to the clients themselves!
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