Leash Training Made Easy
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!
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. Every time your dog begins to run or walk ahead of you, quickly turn around and begin walking the other way. 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 dog training collar that offers both positive and negative reinforcement with tones, now would be a great opportunity to use it.
Consistency is Important
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.
Practicing your dog’s new skills in a familiar place, such as your driveway or backyard, is the best way to start to your training. 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 be discouraged if your dog isn’t instantly getting it. Patience and consistency will pay off in the long run. Even after your dog has learned what is expected, you’ll still want to reinforce the behavior by occasionally using the distraction technique given above.
Don’t be stingy with the praise and treats! Dogs instinctively want to please their owner and love being rewarded and praised for obeying. 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.
