Walking your dog on a leash is not only a good way to keep your dog safe and under control, but also a great opportunity to bond with your furry friend and provide them with some exercise and mental stimulation. However, not all dogs are naturally comfortable or well-behaved on a leash. Some may pull, lunge, bark, or even refuse to move. If you want to teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash, you will need some patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Here are some steps you can follow to train your dog to walk on a leash.
Step 1: Choose the right equipment
Before you start training your dog to walk on a leash, you need to make sure you have the right equipment for both of you. You will need:
- A collar or harness that fits your dog well and does not cause discomfort or injury. Avoid choke chains, prong collars, or shock collars, as they can hurt your dog and make them fearful or aggressive. A flat buckle collar or a front-clip harness are good options for most dogs.
- A leash that is sturdy, comfortable, and long enough to allow some slack but not too much. Avoid retractable leashes, as they can be dangerous and give your dog too much freedom. A 4-6 feet long nylon or leather leash is ideal for most situations.
- Treats that are small, soft, and tasty. You will use them to reward your dog for walking nicely on a leash. Choose treats that your dog loves and does not get often, such as cheese, chicken, or peanut butter.
- A clicker (optional). A clicker is a small device that makes a clicking sound when you press it. You can use it to mark the exact moment when your dog does something right and then follow it with a treat. This helps your dog learn faster and more precisely what you want them to do.
Step 2: Introduce the collar and leash
Before you take your dog outside for a walk, you need to make sure they are comfortable wearing the collar and leash. Some dogs may be scared or annoyed by these new items and try to get rid of them. To avoid this, you need to introduce them gradually and positively.
- Start by putting the collar or harness on your dog when they are relaxed and calm. Give them lots of praise and treats for wearing it. Do this several times until your dog does not mind the collar or harness.
- Next, attach the leash to the collar or harness and let your dog drag it around the house. Again, give them lots of praise and treats for being calm and ignoring the leash. Do this several times until your dog does not care about the leash.
- Finally, pick up the leash and follow your dog around the house. Do not pull or tug on the leash, just let it hang loosely. Give your dog praise and treats for staying near you and not pulling on the leash. Do this several times until your dog is used to having you hold the leash.
Step 3: Teach your dog to pay attention to you
One of the most important skills for walking nicely on a leash is for your dog to pay attention to you and follow your cues. If your dog is distracted by everything else in the environment, they will not listen to you or walk where you want them to. To teach your dog to pay attention to you, you need to make yourself more interesting and rewarding than anything else.
- Start by teaching your dog their name. Say their name in a cheerful tone and when they look at you, click (if using a clicker) and give them a treat. Repeat this several times until your dog responds to their name every time.
- Next, teach your dog the “watch me” cue. Hold a treat near your face and say “watch me”. When your dog looks at you, click and give them the treat. Repeat this several times until your dog looks at you when you say “watch me”.
- Then, practice the “watch me” cue with distractions. Have someone else hold your dog on a leash while you stand a few feet away. Say “watch me” and when your dog looks at you, click and give them a treat. Gradually increase the distance and add more distractions, such as toys, noises, or other people or animals. Always reward your dog for looking at you when you say “watch me”.
Step 4: Teach your dog to walk by your side
Once your dog is comfortable wearing the collar and leash and paying attention to you, you can start teaching them to walk by your side. This will prevent your dog from pulling, lagging, or wandering off. To teach your dog to walk by your side, you need to reward them for being in the right position and correct them for being in the wrong position.
- Start by choosing which side you want your dog to walk on. It does not matter which side, as long as you are consistent. For this example, we will use the left side.
- Hold the leash in your right hand and a treat in your left hand. Stand next to your dog with your left leg next to their right shoulder. Say “Let’s go” and start walking forward. As you walk, hold the treat near your left leg and lure your dog to follow you. When your dog is walking by your side, click and give them the treat. Repeat this several times until your dog walks by your side without the treat.
- Next, add some turns and changes of direction. As you walk, randomly turn left, right, or stop. Use the treat to lure your dog to follow you and reward them for staying by your side. This will teach your dog to pay attention to you and follow your lead.
- Then, practice walking by your side without the treat. Hold the leash in your right hand and keep your left hand near your left leg. Say “Let’s go” and start walking forward. When your dog is walking by your side, click and give them a treat from your pocket or a pouch. Gradually increase the time between treats until your dog walks by your side without needing a treat.
Step 5: Teach your dog not to pull on the leash
Even if your dog knows how to walk by your side, they may still try to pull on the leash when they see something exciting or interesting. This can be frustrating and dangerous for both of you. To teach your dog not to pull on the leash, you need to make pulling unrewarding and staying by your side rewarding.
- Start by choosing a cue that means “stop pulling”. It can be anything you want, such as “easy”, “no pull”, or “uh-oh”. For this example, we will use “easy”.
- Hold the leash in your right hand and keep some slack in it. Say “Let’s go” and start walking forward with your dog by your side. If your dog starts to pull on the leash, say “easy” and stop walking. Wait until your dog stops pulling and looks at you, then click and give them a treat. Then resume walking.
- Repeat this every time your dog pulls on the leash. Your dog will learn that pulling makes you stop and staying by your side makes you go.
- You can also use a technique called “penalty yards”. If your dog pulls on the leash, say “easy” and turn around and walk in the opposite direction for a few steps. Then stop and wait for your dog to catch up with you and look at you, then click and give them a treat. Then resume walking in the original direction. This will teach your dog that pulling makes them lose ground and staying by your side makes them gain ground.
Step 6: Practice in different situations
Once your dog has learned the basics of walking on a leash, you can start practicing in different situations and environments. This will help your dog generalize their skills and become more confident and well-behaved on a leash.
- Start by practicing in familiar places, such as around your house or neighborhood. Gradually increase the duration and distance of your walks.
- Next, practice in new places, such as parks, trails, or streets. Choose places that are not too crowded or noisy at first, then gradually expose your dog to more challenging situations.
- Finally, practice in real-life situations, such as crossing streets, meeting other dogs or people, or going to pet-friendly stores or cafes. Always be prepared and alert for any potential hazards or distractions.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips to help you train your dog to walk on a leash successfully:
- Be consistent. Use the same cues, equipment, and rules every time you walk your dog on a leash.
- Be patient. Training takes time and repetition. Do not expect perfection overnight.
- Be positive. Use praise, treats, toys, or play as rewards for good behavior. Do not use force, pain, or intimidation as punishments for bad behavior.
- Be flexible. Adjust the difficulty level of the training according to your dog’s progress and mood. Do not push them too hard or too fast.
- Be fun. Make walking on a leash an enjoyable experience for both of you.
Conclusion
Walking on a leash is an essential skill for every dog owner and their canine companion. By following these steps and tips, you can train your dog to walk on a leash in a positive and effective way. Remember to always keep safety first and have fun with your furry friend! 🐶
