Leash Training Made Simple

Summer is around the corner. Its the perfect time of year to take some dog walks and get rid of that cabin fever. If your dog walks are anything but leisurely strolls, the following tips are just for you!

Mixing It Up

Abruptly changing the direction you’re heading in may be enough distraction to make your dog understand that he needs to follow you. Every time your dog begins to run or walk ahead of you, quickly turn around and begin walking the other way. When he does the right thing and returns to your side, immediately reward your dog with praise and a small dog treat. Don’t scold your dog for pulling ahead, simply catch him off guard and redirect him.

You may have to repeat this many times , even if it means your “walk” is only a few steps at a time, back and forth. The goal is to have your dog following you, and paying attention to the direction you’re headed in. Repeating this process and giving praise and treats when he responds positively, quite often fixes the tug of war game some dogs like to play.

If you already have a remote dog trainer that offers both positive and negative tone reinforcement, now would be a good time to put it to use.

Consistency is Important

Now that you’ve made up your mind to leash train your dog, always be consistent. Be consistent in your application of rules so as not to confuse your dog. Treat your leash walking exercises as you would any other obedience training session.

The best way to practice your new walking skills is in a familiar place like your driveway or backyard. After your dog has mastered his new leash walking skills, you can experiment with longer walks in unfamiliar places.

Keep Up the Good Work

As with all dog training, teaching your dog to walk properly on a leash is an ongoing process. Don’t expect instant understanding. Your dog may need more than one training session to fully understand what you’re trying to teach him. Don’t assume that the training ends when your dog starts walking beside you. You’ll want to continue to use the distraction technique occasionally to keep him on his toes and reinforce what you’ve taught him.

Be generous with your praise – act as though your dog just did the smartest thing ever! Dogs love being rewarded for doing the right thing. Be generous with your praise and offer rewards when your dog is doing the right thing; he will be encouraged to continue payinging attention to you.

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