Dog Leash Training Tips
Believe it or not, dogs don’t naturally know how to walk on a leash. When you see dogs walking well on a leash, it’s due to proper training. Today, we’re going to discuss easy dog training tips to get you and your pup comfortable while on-leash.
Tip #1: Don’t Use a Retractable Leash!
People are such fans of retractable leashes but for the newbie leash walker, these are not appropriate for training. Even small dogs really do need fixed-length leashes. Most dog trainers would agree.
Once your dog is well-behaved and really does listen to your commands, you can allow your dog to explore with a retractable leash. Remember, a retractable leash is an advanced tool.
Tip #2: Practice Inside First
Start indoors! This will give you and your puppy time to gain some confidence in your leash skills.
- Begin by putting a collar and leash on indoors. Take away all distractions such as toys and treats.
- Reward your dog when the leash is loose, and they are looking to you. Give them verbal positive reinforcement and a small treat when they look to you for direction.
- Walk forward. If you dog follows and keeps the leash slack, say give positive verbal reinforcement and a small treat.
Keep doing this until your dog consistently keeps the leash slack and follows you. Next, it’s time to move outdoors.
Tip #3: Practice Outside Next
Once you and your dog are comfortable on-leash, it’s time to venture outside. Use all the strategies you worked on indoors when outside.
Everything out there will be interesting and exciting for your dog! So many smells and visually stimulating sounds and sights. That can mean they are so focused on their environment that they don’t practice their trained behaviors. If they misbehave or become a danger to themselves, bring their leash training back indoors.
Long walks, especially for small dogs, aren’t always necessary. Take a walk to take the trash out or take a turn about the yard. The rest of their exercise can come from playing fetch or other games.
If your dog is a habitual puller, consider different types of harnesses such as a head halter or front hook harness. This can help reduce the pulling.
Tip #4: Become a Tree
It’s inevitable that a dog is likely to pull when their new to being on-leash. So, our biggest advice for this behavior is to become like a tree! According to the American Kennel Club, “If your dog starts pulling in the other direction, turn yourself into ‘a tree.’ Stand very still and refuse to move until your dog comes back to you. Do not yank or jerk the leash, and do not drag your dog along with you. Alternative harnesses, like front-hook harnesses, and head halters are designed for dogs that tend to pull.”
Tip #5: Tire Your Dog Out First
You know what? Tired dogs are awfully well behaved. Before taking that walk, run then around the house, play tug-of-war or fetch, and really tire your pup out.
Why?
Because a tired dog is less likely to pull, lunge and misbehave on a leash if they are already tired. Although walks really can tire a dog out, for the sake of leash training your puppy, this is a good strategy. The secondary benefit to this strategy is that your dog is more likely to pay attention to your cues and commands.
Tip #6: Practice, Practice, Practice
Of all our dog leash training tips, this one is the most crucial. Dogs thrive on routine and repetition. Every day should include some time on leash. Whether you’re taking a walk in the yard or around the block, use the leash daily. Even boring errands to and from the car to the bank or wherever is convenient is a great way to practice.
The importance of dog training and consistency is crucial to your dog’s positive behaviors. And the importance of a you, as a dog owner, being knowledgeable is equally important. According to Cattledog Publishing, “When working with dogs, little differences—such as speed and direction of movement, body posture, arm placement, as well as exact timing and placement of the rewards can have huge differences in the ability of the owner to communicate what they want, and hence in how the dog performs. Luckily, it’s possible to identify and break training and behavior modification skills down into their component pieces and to develop practice drills. Once a person’s technique improves, their dog immediately starts performing better for them.”
That’s good news for you! Educating yourself is the biggest step toward behavior modification in your dog.
A Trained Dog is a Happy Dog!
We hope these dog leash training tips help you properly train your pup! These strategies aren’t only for puppies, of course! Believe it or not, an old dog CAN learn new tricks. With a bit of patience and lots of love, your dog will be walking confidently on leash in no time.