Dog Training - Fantastic Tips To Teach Your Dog To Walk Nicely On a Loose Lead

Walks will be more pleasant for both of you if your dog walks nicely on a lead. In this instance, although treats may help, the reward your dog wants is that you continue with your progress. Remember, your dog wants to get there and humans move more slowly than dogs.

The walk starts as soon as the lead is picked up. Only reward the behaviour that you wish your dog to repeat. Therefore, if your dog is leaping around, do not progress until he is calmer. Then try again. As soon as the lead is attached to your dog, stand still. If your dog pulls forward, gently bring him back to your side and loosen the lead. If he pulls again, repeat.

When he is standing at your side, on a loose lead, reward him by taking a step forward. Then stand still. If he is pulling, repeat the above. Only take a step forward when he is standing calmly at your side, on a loose lead. This is time consuming but try to be patient and consistent and remember to practise. For some reason, although we practise teaching our dog to sit and lie down, we think that our dog should learn to walk on a lead during his walks but this makes life harder for everyone. Spend a few minutes teaching your dog how to walk nicely on a lead. Practise around the house, in the driveway, on the street and when you go out for a walk. There is a great deal of learning that can take place before you and your dog even get out of your front door.

If your dog is pulling before you open the door, do not be surprised if he continues to pull during the rest of the walk. If you are having difficulties, stop when your dog pulls, bring him back to your side, and try one of the following:

• Stand still and wait

• Loosen the lead, and repeat until he will wait with you

• Ask your dog to look at you and reward this

• Ask your dog to sit, and reward him

• Walk backwards

• Turn around and walk in the opposite direction

• Walk in a small circle

• Do not allow your dog to dictate where you are going

The aim of all this is to teach your dog that progress will only be made when he is at your side on a loose lead. If he pulls, progress slows down. Therefore, it is in his best interest to stay at your side. The equipment you use on your dog can make a difference. Harnesses and headcollars can be a great help. They will not teach your dog, but they can be helpful for him while you teach.

Do not be unpleasant to your dog. The aim is to teach him that the best place is to be by your side. This cannot be achieved by threatening, pulling, jerking or shouting.

Old-style training relied on the use of jerking the dog around on a choke chain, Fortunately, enlightened thinking has meant that this is now an outdated method. Not only was it generally ineffective and unpleasant, it caused physical problems with dogs.