Why the First Five Minutes Matter: Setting the Tone for Every Walk

"Start your gundog walk with connection, not chaos. Here’s why the first five minutes can shape focus, calmness, and cooperation all the way through."

Why the First Five Minutes Matter: Setting the Tone for Every Walk

Helping your gundog work with you, not just for you.

Whether you’re heading into the woods, across fields, or just down the lane, the first few minutes of a walk can make or break the tone of the entire outing—especially if you're walking a gundog breed.

Labradors, spaniels, and retrievers often come with buckets of enthusiasm, strong hunting instincts, and a keen desire to explore the world with their noses. That’s part of what makes them such brilliant working dogs. But without structure and focus from the very beginning, that enthusiasm can easily spill over into frantic pulling, selective hearing, and frantic zig-zagging.

Why the Start Matters So Much

Dogs, like people, respond to routines and patterns. The first five minutes of any activity often set the emotional and behavioural tone for what follows. If the walk starts with your dog yanking at the lead, barking with excitement, or rushing ahead the moment you're out the gate, that becomes the ‘norm’ for the rest of the outing.

For gundog breeds in particular—bred to hunt, retrieve, and work at a distance—this can lead to a dog that’s quickly out of contact with their handler, mentally and physically. Before you know it, they’re in full-on ‘hunt mode’ before you’ve even reached the field.

The Power of a Grounded Start

Taking five intentional minutes at the start of your walk can:

Build connection between you and your dog.
Prevent overstimulation and reduce reactivity or overexcitement.
Encourage loose-lead walking and attentiveness.
Reinforce your cues in a low-pressure setting before you reach distractions.
Set a calm, cooperative tone that carries into more complex work or free time.

How to Make the First Five Minutes Count

1. Pre-Walk Check-In

Before you even open the door or the car boot, take a breath. What’s your dog’s emotional state? What’s yours? If your gundog is already vibrating with energy, take 30 seconds to ask for calm behaviours—sit, eye contact, or simply standing quietly—before setting off.

2. Start with Structure

Use a short lead and move with intention. Reward for engagement, focus, and walking beside you. A few simple “let’s go” cues with reinforcement can help your dog remember you’re a team, not two individuals heading in separate directions.

3. Don’t Rush the Transition

If you're heading to an off-lead area, avoid flinging the lead off the second you reach the field. Let your dog settle first. Ask for a sit, some check-ins, or a quick hand-target game. This reaffirms your presence before freedom begins.

4. Sniff Walks with Purpose

Gundogs love to sniff—it’s how they make sense of the world. Let them have that, but on your terms. Use a cue like “go sniff” to give permission, then “let’s go” to move on. This builds a rhythm of listening and responding right from the start.

A Real-Life Example

Take Griff, my adolescent working golden retriever. If I open the truck door and let him fly out full of adrenaline, the walk starts with chaos—pulling, barking, and no interest in me whatsoever. But if I open the door, ask for a calm sit, then lead him out with a few reinforcement games and some loose lead walking, we’re far more likely to stay connected throughout the whole session.

That early connection—even just 2–3 minutes of it—makes all the difference.

Final Thoughts

Gundogs were bred to be brilliant—but brilliance needs direction. By being intentional about how you begin each walk, you’ll find more focus, more connection, and ultimately, a more enjoyable experience for both of you.

So the next time you clip on the lead, remember: those first five minutes aren’t just a prelude—they’re the foundation. Make them count.