Getting your dog to walk on a leash is an essential part of any training regimen for dogs of any age. However, it can also be a bit challenging for dog owners. Nevertheless, proper leash training is critical to ensuring your puppy or adult dog remains safe and happy during walks. After all, a well-leashed dog makes for a peaceful walk free from bad habits like pulling, tugging, and distractions. Consider a few tips for how to each your dog to walk properly on a leash.
1. Start with the Basics: Get Your Dog Comfortable with the Leash
Leash training doesn’t necessarily begin outdoors. Instead, it starts with getting your dog comfortable wearing a collar and leash. Dogs are simply not used to collars, leashes and harnesses, so introducing them to these items may create unfamiliar sensations. Before you even head out the door, let your dog have the time to adapt to their leash apparatus.
- If your dog hasn’t worn a collar or harness before, start by introducing those items. Let your dog wear them for short periods, and gradually lengthen the timeframe. During this time, reward your dog with treats for staying calm while wearing their new accessories.
- Once they are comfortable with the collar or harness, attach the leash and let your dog drag it around indoors. Don’t apply tension at this time, and remember to supervise your dog so they don’t get the leash caught on anything.
Once your dog gets used to the leash, you can begin taking them for short training walks around the house or in the yard. This training time will allow your dog to adapt to the leash within a familiar setting, while helping build positive bonds of trust between you and your dog. Once you begin to venture farther afield, be sure that you keep walks light at first, only lasting about 10 – 15 minutes. Eventually, you can begin to take longer walks. However, it’s important to let your dog adjust to the process, first.
2. Focus on Loose-Leash Walking
The goal of leash training is to teach your dog to walk with a loose leash. In other words, the leash should not be tight or taut between you and your dog during your walk. A dog that pulls on the leash is not only difficult to control but may also develop bad habits that can be hard to break. Rather, you’ll essentially want to create a situation where your dog walks with you, and the leash serves as a safety mechanism for extraordinary situations.
Start teaching loose-leash walking, begin in a quiet area with few distractions that might tempt your dog to pull away. When your dog starts to pull ahead, stop walking and wait for them to come back to your side. When they do, reward them with a treat. Doing so will teach the dog that staying with you is a positive thing to do. It may take some time for your dog to understand that pulling will stop the walk, and walking nicely will keep the walk going. However, a little patience will go a long way.
3. Keep Common Leash-Walking Problems In Mind
Every dog’s reaction to leashes and walks is going to be different, and even with the best training, some dogs may struggle. As you and your dog begin going on longer walks, keep an eye out for the following issues:
Pulling on the Leash
Most dogs are naturally curious, excited, and prone to following their own impulses. As a result, they’re quite likely to pull on leashes, simply because something has excited them or piqued their interests. It’s important to help dogs learn that pulling on the leash will actually get them nowhere. The following best practices might help you in this training:
- Teach that pulling means stopping: When your dog begins to pull on the leash, stop walking. Wait until the dog returns to you or slackens the leash. Once this occurs, reward the dog and continue walking.
- Change direction: If your dog continues to pull, change direction without warning, but without pulling too had on the leash. Changing direction will force the dog to pay closer attention to you, and eventually, they will begin to stay closer.
- Use positive reinforcement: Continue to reward your dog as they learn to stick close to you. Rewarding good behavior helps establish positive reinforcement with your dog and lets them know that obedience leads to rewards.
Certain walking equipment, such as front clip harnesses and head halters, are designed to discourage pulling and may be a better fit for certain dogs. The leash on a front clip harness clips in front of, rather than behind a dog’s neck. A head halter, which is something like a muzzle, can also help guide the dog’s head and encourage them to walk calmly.
Chasing or Lunging at Distractions
Some dogs might easily become distracted by other dogs, people, squirrels, cats, cars, or anything else. During a walk, this might cause them to consistently pull on the leash. To help correct the problem, you can begin teaching your dog to focus more on you than the surrounding environment. A few way to do so include:
- Using the “Look at Me” command: Train your dog to look at you when you say “Look at me” or another cue, and reward them when they follow your direction.
- Redirecting them with treats: If your dog is fixated on something, redirect their attention back to you by showing them a high-value treat. Reward them for staying focused on you and walking calmly.
- Increasing their distance from distractions: If you know your dog is prone to reacting, be sure to put plenty of space between them and potential triggers. For example, if your dog reacts to other dogs, try crossing the street when you see another dog coming toward you. Over time, you might begin to decrease the distance as your dog learns to focus on you.
Pacing or Sniffing Constantly
Some dogs may have trouble focusing on the walk itself and may want to sniff everything in their path. While it’s natural for dogs to sniff, excessive sniffing can slow down the walk and cause a bit of frustration. On the one hand, you should allow your dog to take short sniff breaks, but you should also encourage them to keep moving. To do so, you might use “Let’s go” or another verbal cue. You might also be able to redirect the dog’s attention to other items — like a treat — and then praise them when they refocus on walking.
Final Thoughts: Consistency Is Key
Training your dog to walk on a leash properly takes time, but it’s well worth the effort. By being consistent, patient, and using positive reinforcement, you can teach your dog to walk calmly by your side and enjoy daily walks without stress or frustration. However, don’t forget that every dog learns at its own pace, and it’s okay to experience setbacks. With a little patience and attention, soon you and your dog will be able to enjoy your walks together more than ever before. It may even become the best part of your days.
Is your dog pulling, lunging, or reacting while walking? Do you want to teach your puppy critical leash skills young? If so, Sit Means Sit Philadelphia can help. Our certified dog trainers will work with your dog to instill lifelong obedience skills they can use when on-leash, off-leash, at home, or in public. To get started, request your free evaluation today!
The content of this blog is created by the Sit Means Sit Philadelphia marketing team. The marketing team are not certified dog trainers, and the information provided here is for general purposes only. Every dog is unique, and the tips and advice shared may not be suitable for all dogs. For personalized guidance regarding your dog’s training and behavior, we recommend consulting with a certified Sit Means Sit professional dog trainer. If you’re interested in scheduling a free dog training consultation, please contact us or call (215) 593-0539 today.
