How To Train Your Dog To Walk On Leash

Tip #1: Never try to walk a dog that has been cooped up all day.

If your dog has been lying around waiting for you, let him burn off some of his energy before you take him for a walk. Throw a ball, play tug-o-war, or do something to calm him down before the walk.

Tip #2: Use a Gentle Leader head collar.

One of the best collars on the market is the Gentle Leader head collar. It works by controlling your dog's head. With the Gentle Leader, your dog cannot put his weight behind the leash and pull. When all else fails, they really are great collars.

Tip #3: Teach your dog where you want him to be.

This is an obvious, but often overlooked part of training your dog to walk olitely on leash. Your dog does not know that he is supposed to be walking on your side.

Spend some time using a food lure. If you walk your dog on your left side, put a little piece of food in your left hand and hold it close to your dog's nose. Have him follow the lure and reward him with it every five or six feet.

As he gets better at understanding and staying right by your side, go for longer and longer periods between rewards.

Tip #4: Don't let your dog's opposition reflex kick in.

When you apply pressure, your dog will resist with counter-pressure. If you pull back on the leash, he will resist and pull harder...opposition reflex.

The secret to leash walking is always keeping the leash loose. Don't allow the leash to become tight.

More help with loose leash walking.

Behind every dog that pulls is an owner that allows him or herself to be pulled. If you own a dog that pulls, think how often you have allowed him to lean on the leash and drag you in one direction or another while you pull back just as hard or hold on with a death grip.

Dogs and owners both need to learn that the leash is ALWAYS loose.

The leash is your connection to one another and allows you to go out in public together. Whether you are out for a walk or just standing still, neither one of you should be pulling on the leash. Your dog's leash is a training aid and a piece of safety equipment. To be effective, it should never be tight and should be used as little as possible.

STEP 1

If you want your dog to walk on your left side, hold the leash in your right hand. This leaves your left hand free to reinforce your dog with some tasty treats when he is giving you the behavior you want.

STEP 2

If your dog becomes wild and starts pulling, stop and become a statue. Wait as long as it takes for him to settle. (Patience is very important at this stage in the game.)

When he turns to see why you are doing nothing, reinforce him with a treat for looking at you.
STEP 3

When you have your dog's attention again, begin your walk. If he starts rushing off without you, ask for moving attention by backing up briskly.

When your dog is following you attentively, reinforce him with a treat and start moving forward again.

STEP 4

Reinforce attention with treats and praise and all attempts he makes to keep the leash loose.

If he charges out to the end of the leash, stop and turn into a statue and repeat step 2 above.

STEP 5

When your dog is attentive again, repeat step 3. Continue this procedure for the remainder of your walk. You make no forward progress when the leash is tight. When the leash is loose, you reward your dog by continuing to walk and giving him treats, pats, and praise.

Patience, patience, patience! Until you and your dog can successfully keep the leash loose while making forward progress, think of your walks as training sessions. Do not expect to make it around the neighborhood on your first attempt.

Dogs do what works!! As soon as they learn that the two of you are not going anywhere until they lighten up, they will stop pulling.

More help with loose leash walking.