Leash Training Made Simple
15 Jun 2009
Summer is around the corner. Its the perfect time of year to take some dog walks and get rid of that cabin fever. Are your dog walks resembling a marathon - with you in 2nd place behind your dog? These tips are for you!
Change Your Direction
Abruptly changing the direction you’re heading in may be enough distraction to make your dog understand that he needs to follow you. Each time your dog begins to yank on the lead or run in front of you, quickly change direction and start walking in a different direction. When his attention is averted and he returns to walk next to you, follow up immediately with lots of praise. A small dog treat helps, too. 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 great opportunity to use it.
Always Be Consistent
Now that you’ve made up your mind to leash train your dog, always be consistent. Dogs can be easily confused when the rules aren’t consistent. Think of this like you would any other dog obedience training.
The best way to practice your new walking skills is in a familiar place like your driveway or backyard. Once your dog has mastered the art of following you, you can then move on to longer walks in other places.
Keep Up the Good Work
As with all dog training, teaching your dog to walk properly on a leash is an ongoing process. It’s not something your dog will probably “get” in just one session. 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 lavish with your praise! Your dog loves receiving praise and rewards from you. The more praise you give when you “catch him” being good, the more likely he is to pay close attention to what you’re doing.
