Helping Train a Great Walker

Dog needs walks; it is one of the most essential aspects of owning a dog, and it can be one of the most enjoyable. Taking an afternoon stroll with your best friend on a nice day? What could be better? That’s if he walks with you nicely, doesn’t pull on his leash, try to veer off and chase cats, dogs, pedestrians, or cars, or sniff and paw at every interesting scent he comes across. Here are some tips for making sure you both look forward to your walks.

Before you even move out the door, make sure that your dog is sitting calmly. Don’t put the leash on until he is calm, otherwise every time he sees that leash, he will jump and make your life a bit more stressful. When he’s calm, put the leash on. Open the door and go out first. You go out first because you are the leader of your pack. Dogs will try to assert their dominance, not because they want to take over the house, but because it is their instinct. You have to be the leader, so make sure he lets you out first. If he goes out first, bring him back in and try again.

Pulling is one of the biggest problems when it comes to walking dogs, and if you have a large breed, you will probably get much more of a workout than your pooch. If you have a puller, try this: put your dog on his leash and start walking. When he starts to pull, firmly grasp the leash and start walking in the opposite direction. Chances are he’ll catch up and start to do it again. You do the same thing, changing direction abruptly. The point is to let him know that he cannot pull, and that you are in charge and decide where to go. Keep doing this consistently and work with him. He’ll pick it up very quickly. Make sure to reward him when he walks well with treats and lots of praise.

Keep your dog’s leash at the same length. Dogs thrive on consistency; when your dog is learning to walk well on a leash, he needs the length to be the same. A retractable leash teaches him that he can walk wherever he wants. You’ll have a much harder time teaching him to stay with you. Keep the leash slack and don’t put tension on it. If he pulls and it goes taut, reverse directions quickly.

It is important to be patient and use positive reinforcement often. When your dog is walking well, reward him randomly with a treat and praise. This way, he won’t expect at any specific time and walking well will become a habit. When you praise your dog, “Good dog,” is nice, but not really clear for your dog. Is it nice that he stuck his tongue out? Is it nice that he shook his head or scratched his belly? He doesn’t know, so you need to tell him. Reinforce with “Walk,” when he is doing well. Say it in an encouraging and positive way. Name it and reward it.

Most importantly, be consistent and keep practicing. Your dog will get it, and you will be amazed at how much more pleasant walks are.