One of the most rewarding aspects of dog ownership is getting to take your dog out on walks. Doing so helps build the bond between you and your furry friend and can help keep you fit and healthy into the bargain. However, before you can take your dog out on walks, leash training is essential.
Training a dog can be tough work, it takes commitment, dedication, and patience. We’ve written up a guide with some advice to help with leash training your dog and have included a few tips that can help prevent your dog from pulling on the leash. Read on to learn more.
Start Early
The key to leash training a dog is to start early. Puppies learn quickly and can absorb information at an astonishing rate.
However, you can’t start taking your tiny puppy out for walks straight away. They will first have to get their vaccinations, and long walks aren’t good for developing puppy bones and joints.
That doesn’t mean you can’t start leash training your pup, though. Let your dog interact with the leash and start getting them used to wearing a collar. Start with small sessions initially, increasing the duration and frequency of these sessions over time. Eventually, your dog will feel completely comfortable wearing a collar and will be quite happy for you to walk them around the house wearing a leash.
First Steps Outside
No matter how well your indoor leash training has gone, it’s a different story when you step outside for the first time. Suddenly, your dog is going to have a whole new world in front of them, and there’s every chance they’re going to go crazy with excitement.
There are new sights to see and scents to smell, your dog will be desperate to get out there and explore this huge new playground. You’re quickly going to notice your dog pulling on the lead in their eagerness to explore. This behaviour can be dangerous; it can throw you off balance and can damage your dog’s neck, as well as their eyes and ears.
One of the most important parts of leash training involves stopping your dog from pulling on the leash. How can this be done? Find out below.
Teaching the Heel Command
There are various tricks you can teach your dog; sit, lie down, and paw are among the most popular. However, few are as useful as heel. This should be one of the very first commands your dog learns, and it will prove invaluable for the rest of their life.
Heel teaches your dog to walk alongside you and maintain your pace as you walk. This is the key to stopping your dog from pulling on the leash, it will keep them walking along at a steady pace, ensuring the leash is loose and comfortable.
Heel training should start in the home or the garden, somewhere where there will be minimal potential distractions. Walk at a slow steady pace, and hold treats in your hand on the side you want your dog to be on. When they come over to get a treat, say ‘Heel’ in a calm but firm voice. Allow them to walk along with you for a few moments, ensuring they maintain the same speed, and then give them a treat.
Over time, your dog will come to associate walking alongside you with getting a treat. Eventually, you can remove the treats entirely, and your dog should repeat the behaviour after hearing the vocal command.
When you take your dog outside, they may find it more difficult to concentrate on the heel command. It’s perfectly fine to use treats again in this situation to help your dog remember how to respond to heel.
Anticipating Behaviour
The outside world can be unpredictable. Even a well-trained dog can be excited, startled, or alarmed by something, which can cause them to momentarily forget their training and react instinctively. Things like passing bikes, joggers, or other dogs can alarm your dog, and cause them to lunge or even lash out.
Walking your dog can be a relaxing and rewarding experience, with studies revealing that the activity is an effective stress reliever. However, you must remember that you are responsible for your dog while you are out in public, which means you must remain vigilant and watch out for potential risks or hazards.
For example, if you see another dog approaching, cross the street to give your dog space and prevent a fight from potentially breaking out. Similarly, if you see a cyclist approaching, stop and stand between the cyclist and your dog. This will stop your dog from feeling like they have to protect you from this strange sight and will ensure the cyclist is not disturbed by your dog barking.
Conclusion
Leash training your dog is one of the most important parts of dog ownership. Start leash training early and be sure to teach the heel command to prevent your dog from pulling on the leash. Finally, remember to remain aware of your surroundings when out on a walk to reduce the risk of your dog barking, lunging, or acting aggressively.