Dog Leash Training

One of the most important aspects of a dog training program is probably dog leash training. This will take some time and practice but it is something you should teach your dog at an early age. The older he gets the more difficult it will be to stop him from pulling you around every where you go.

If you don't correct your dog when he pulls on the leash, he will think that it's acceptable behavior. If you carry on walking while he is pulling you are rewarding your dog for his bad behavior. You will pull him back and he will pull you forward, he thinks it's a game.

Before you begin walking, stand still and grasp the leash with both hands. Keep your hands near to your body. Whenever your dog looks up at you, praise him and give him a treat. Or, if he is just sitting or standing still, praise him and give him a treat. You need him to understand that this is good. He will soon discover that the act of paying attention to you is rewarded.

If your dog starts to lean forward or begins to walk forward, lean your body backwards or take a few steps backwards, but don't pull back. Hold your hands against your body and stand still. There may be tension on the leash, but just wait. When your dog relaxes his pull, or when he looks up to you, give him verbal praise and extend your arm down by your side and give him a treat.

Carry on praising your dog until he travels forward toward the end of the leash. If he pulls to the point where there is tension, don't say anything. When your dog releases the tension, then you can once again praise him.

When your dog takes up a standing position next to you, you can start to walk. Say your dog's name and the command "let's go" or "let's walk" and begin to walk forward. This command should be uttered just prior to the dog moving forward.

If your dog walks the right way without pulling forward, keep on walking and reward him now and again with verbal praise and treats.

If you can tell that your dog is about to pull forward, stop walking and stand still. Your dog will wonder why you stopped walking so he will look back at you. Once he does this verbally praise him and give him a treat, as you start to walk forward. Repeat this if your dog is about to pull forward again.

It won't take him long to understand that when his collar is tight, you won't follow him, instead the walking stops. Consequently, he will want to walk gently.

In the early stages of dog leash training you may need to practice this exercise in your home or backyard. Here, your dog will have a chance to get used to walking properly on the leash in a restricted environment. Then, when he is comfortable here, you can walk him on the sidewalk.

You should set your dog up to succeed, not fail. So you need to afford him every chance to be rewarded.

Because this dog leash training exercise will take a lot of practice initially, you may want to use pieces of kibble rather than treats. You can take him on a walk just before a meal time and give him his meal this way. When your dog can walk without requiring a lot of discipline, you can start giving him treats instead.

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