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 amount to a jog in the park for your dog with you in tow, this article is 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. 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 he does the right thing and returns to your side, immediately reward your dog with praise and a small dog treat. Tempting as it is, don’t scold your dog for tugging on the leash. Just redirect his attention by abruptly changing direction.

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 idea is that you want your dog to be paying attention to you and your movements. 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 own a remote dog trainer that offers both positive and negative tone reinforcement, now would be a good opportunity to put it to use.

Consistency is Important

Once you’ve made up your mind that you want your dog to walk obediently beside you, don’t give in! Be consistent in your application of rules so as not to confuse your dog. Treat this as you would any other training session.

Initially its best if you stick to familiar places, like your backyard or driveway, to practice your new leash training skills. Once you’re confident your dog understands what’s expected of him, begin taking longer walks in less familiar 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. You’ll want to continue to use this technique occasionally to keep your dog on his toes and reinforce his new behavior.

Be generous with your praise – act as though your dog just did the smartest thing ever! 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.