What an Ekiden relay race taught me about dog training

I did not expect a Japanese relay race to stop me in my tracks on a photo shoot in Henley, but that is exactly what happened.

We had arrived at Mill Meadows, cameras ready, dogs on leads, when we noticed gazebos going up across the field. Then came the drums, then the cheering, curious, we found out it was Ekiden, a Japanese team relay race with a history stretching back over a century, and one of the most popular running events in Japan.

What is Ekiden?

Ekiden is a long-distance team relay race with roots in Japanese culture dating back to 1917. Unlike a traditional relay, Ekiden runners race across various terrains and distances at each stage, and instead of passing a baton, athletes pass a Tasuki, a fabric sash worn across the body.

What makes Ekiden unique is not the format but the philosophy behind it. Winning is not about individual speed. It is about athletes with different strengths taking the Tasuki at exactly the right moment to create a collective result. Every runner energises the next. Every stage builds on the last. The team succeeds not because one person is the fastest, but because everyone contributes the right thing at the right time.

It is, at its heart, about trust, timing and working together for something bigger than any one individual.

Why it stopped me in my tracks

When I looked into what Ekiden was after the shoot, something clicked. What I read was such a similar description of what happens in a training session between a dog, their owner and myself.

Think about it. The dog brings instinct, energy, a unique way of reading the world and an enormous capacity to learn when given the right conditions. The owner brings commitment, love, knowledge of their dog's individual quirks, and the day-to-day consistency that makes training stick. I bring the expertise, the structure, the ability to read what is happening between dog and owner and to know when to step in and when to step back.

None of us can do it alone. The baton passes between human, dog and trainer, calling on each of our strengths at the right moment. And when it works, when the timing is right and everyone is pulling in the same direction, something extraordinary happens.

Not control. Not obedience. Partnership.

Real life has a way of proving the point

What made the Ekiden moment even more perfect was what happened next.

Our little Iris, a Border Terrier puppy and one of our shoot day participants, watched the whole scene unfold with the kind of bright-eyed curiosity that Border Terriers do so well. The drums, the crowds, the runners, the cheering. She took it all in her stride.

Iris at Mill Meadows with all the Ekiden runners behind her

For a young puppy, that kind of calm confidence around unexpected noise and activity is not a given. It is built, gradually, through positive exposure and the steady reassurance of an owner who trusts the process. Watching Iris that morning was a quiet reminder that the work we do in training sessions does not stay in the training session. It goes with the dog everywhere.

With Henley Regatta in full swing recently, that felt particularly timely. The Thames in summer is busy, noisy, full of boats and crowds and the kind of stimulation that can send an under-prepared dog into overwhelm. However, a dog who has been gently, positively prepared? That dog can enjoy it.

Does your dog struggle in busier places? If busy riverside walks, crowds or unpredictable environments feel stressful for you and your dog, I would love to help. A short discovery call is all it takes to start the conversation, booking is super easy just follow this link.  

Taking a moment in Mill Meadow

What the Ekiden philosophy means for dog training

I spend a lot of time thinking about what good dog training actually looks like, and it is not what most people imagine when they first get in touch with me.

It is not about the perfectly executed sit in a sterile environment. It is not about a dog who never makes a mistake or an owner who never gets it wrong. It is not about quick fixes or shortcuts or dominance or control.

It is about building something together, over time, with patience and consistency and a genuine understanding of what your dog needs as an individual.

Just like Ekiden, it is about knowing when to pass the baton. Knowing when your dog needs you to lead and when to give them space to figure something out. Knowing when to ask more of them and when to celebrate exactly where they are. Knowing when to call in support and when to trust the work you have already done.

That is what tailored, instinct-led training looks like in practice. And it is why I moved away from group classes two years ago in favour of one-to-one sessions built around the real life of each dog and owner I work with.

Dog training in Henley and Berkshire: Why location matters

Mill Meadows in Henley is  lovely place to work with clients. The riverside setting, the open green space, the mix of distractions from boats and cyclists and dogs and picnickers, it creates the kind of real life training environment that a village hall simply cannot replicate.

Caversham Court Gardens, the Thames towpath and the green spaces across Reading and Henley are where my clients actually walk their dogs. So that is where we train. In the places that matter, with the distractions that are real, building confidence that actually transfers into everyday life.

If you are based in Berkshire or Henley and you have been looking for dog training that feels genuinely tailored to your life and your dog, I would love to hear from you.

The Relationship you want is closer than you think

The Ekiden runners at Mill Meadows that morning did not know they were going to inspire a blog post about dog training.

But they reminded me of something I believe deeply. That the best results never come from one person working alone. They come from a team, each bringing their strengths, trusting each other, and passing the baton at exactly the right moment.

That is what I offer every dog owner I work with. Not a magic fix. Not a perfectly obedient dog. But a partnership, built together, that makes everyday life feel easier, calmer and more joyful for both of you.

If that sounds like what you have been looking for, I would love to chat.

About Barkshire Dog Training

Barkshire Dog Training offers instinct-led, force-free dog training across Berkshire and Henley. I specialises in tailored one-to-one sessions, Predation Substitute Training, and ongoing support that fits around real life, including riverside walks, cafe visits, and everything in between.

If you are looking for dog training in Berkshire, dog training in Henley, or support with a dog who pulls, struggles with recall, or finds the world a little overwhelming, I would love to chat.