Walks with the dog are an essential part of every dog owner’s daily routine. However, for some, the daily walk with their beloved four-legged friend turns into a veritable nightmare. The dog pulls on the leash when it sees other dogs or simply out of joy or curiosity. Stress, fear, and insecurity can also be potential reasons for a dog pulling on the leash. When walking is no longer enjoyable but becomes a struggle, it’s time to take action to relax future walks for both owner and dog. Learn here how to train loose-leash walking effectively and make leash walking enjoyable for both the dog and the owner.
Preparation is Key
Before taking the dog for a walk on a leash for the first time, a little preparation is necessary. It’s best to start early, getting a puppy accustomed to a leash. Young animals are usually more open-minded than older ones and more enthusiastic.
Stay consistent but patient with the exercises. Successful, short training sessions are always more effective than long, frustrating ones. Complete the following preparation steps to pave the way for relaxed walks.
Acclimatization Phase:
No dog gets a leash put on and walks without restrictions right away. Most dogs initially find it spooky to wear a collar or harness and have to walk on a leash. For this reason, take sufficient time to lovingly and patiently acclimate the dog to the new situation.
Positive reinforcement is crucial when attaching the leash by petting, praising, and feeding your dog. The dog must understand that it’s great to have a leash on. Avoid pulling on the leash to prevent any discomfort in the dog. Dogs should not be punished by pulling on the leash.
Stay Firm and Confident:
During the walk on the leash, you are the leader. This comes with responsibility. You guide the walk. From the dog, trustful following is expected. Do not abuse this trust. Do not put the dog in uncomfortable or even dangerous situations from which it cannot escape while on the leash. Positive reinforcement is necessary when the dog faces and successfully overcomes its insecurities. Be consistent in your approach. You determine, for example, when to sniff around a bush and when not to.
Make Distinctions:
Every dog is different. Some can concentrate longer than others, and some find it easier to walk on a leash than others. Especially when teaching your dog to walk at heel, it makes sense to set clear boundaries for when “heel” is required and when it’s not.
For instance, you can use a harness for a loose walk in the woods or field on a long leash. It’s not a big deal if the dog lags behind or rushes ahead in these settings, and the risk of injury is relatively low due to the harness.
If you find yourself in places where a strict “heel” is essential, you can use the collar instead. This signals to the dog that it should stay close to your side. Train “heel” with the collar only so that the dog can clearly differentiate when it is crucial to stay by your side and when it has more freedom. This helps many dogs behave appropriately in different situations.
Leash Training Begins
- Choose a low-stimulus environment for the initial training. This makes it easier for the dog to concentrate. Allocate enough time and train intensively with the dog before actually going for a walk on the leash.
- Attach the leash to your dog and try to keep it loose at first. Ensure that the dog is focused and attentively following you by supporting it through verbal cues followed by rewards. Often, this is enough to create initial positive associations with leash walking.
- Walk slowly. Whenever the dog pulls on the leash, simply stop. Reward your dog as soon as it redirects its attention to you and stops pulling on the leash. If the problem persists and the dog pulls on the leash, tools like your voice and treats remain the most effective means to support the learning process.
- If the initial steps are successful, you can associate a command with the learned behavior, such as “leash.” This helps the dog better internalize the difference between when it strictly needs to walk at heel and when it can walk calmly and relaxed on the leash with the owner. If a situation becomes precarious, and the dog pulls on the leash, a short command can provide security and guidance for its behavior.
- It is crucial that you, as the pack leader, appear confident and radiate assurance. Only then will the dog not feel compelled to take initiative in uncertain situations.
- The better the leash training works, the more varied and challenging you can make it. Introduce small obstacles or switch to a more varied environment – the possibilities are limitless. If uncertainties arise again, simply revert to a lower difficulty level and reinforce the previously practiced situations.
- Once the dog is firmly leash-trained and you feel confident and comfortable, you can also integrate challenging everyday situations into your daily walks. A visit to the bakery, the shopping center, or a bus ride – dare to take your dog with you and show it the world. Soon, your dog will be a reliable and secure companion for you.
Important:
Is your dog still pulling on the leash despite following all the steps and tips consistently? Do not hesitate to consult a trained dog trainer for advice. They can support you in leash training and provide individual tips and tricks for specific situations.
If all else fails, it may also be useful to introduce the dog to the veterinarian to identify and treat possible causes of discomfort or pain associated with wearing and being led on the leash.
Daily walks are among the most delightful everyday experiences with a dog. To ensure they run as smoothly as possible, good preparation and a bit of regular leash training are advisable. Take your time and be patient. Soon, you too will be able to enjoy this walk with your dog.
