Dog Leash Training

Walking your dog can provide many benefits, including improving your health and helping your dog release some of its pent-up energy. However, before you go on that first walk, you need to make sure your dog has been trained to walk properly on a leash. This training should begin from day one and needs to be consistent; otherwise, the walk won't be very pleasurable for either of you.

Why Training is Important

Proper leash training is important for several reasons. First, the walk is the best time to establish that you are the leader. If your dog is running ahead of you and pulling you, it is the leader. Walks also help establish a bond between you and your dog. Dogs love walks, which is obvious from their excitement when you pick up their leash, and they especially love walking with their owners. Without training, however, most people eventually give up walking their dogs because it becomes too frustrating, embarrassing, and sometimes painful. Training is also critical because you need to have control over your dog at all times in public for its safety and for the safety of others. Even the friendliest dog can be a hit by a car, attacked by another dog or become over-friendly with a small child.

Training Tools Needed

Before you start training your dog by leash, you're going to need two tools: an appropriate leash and a collar. Leather or nylon leashes are the best choices. Never use extendable leashes, even with a small dog. These leashes are rarely used to properly control a dog during walks, plus they can be dangerous if they snap back at your face or if the rope gets wrapped around part of your body. With collars, the choice depends on your type of dog. Choke collars are effective for many breeds but those with lots of fur (Saint Bernards, for example) or with high pain thresholds (such as pit bulls) usually require a German pinch collar. Harnesses should never be used with strong dogs because they only allow the dog to exert more of its strength in pulling you. They are good choices for smaller dogs with fragile necks.

Helping Your Dog Get Adjusted

Before heading out the door, your dog will probably need to get used to the collar and the leash you are using. Leave both on it while it's in the house and give it treats or praise when it does not struggle to get out of the collar. Most dogs will adapt quickly unless they have had bad experiences with collars and /or leashes in the past. In those situations, you may need to contact a dog behavioralist or trainer for assistance.

Training Starts at the Door

Inanna the Saint Bernard waits patiently at the door.

Once you're ready to start working on the walk, you have to start off on the right foot. That means you start at the door. Always make your dog sit and wait before you go outside. He is going to be very excited about the walk, so this exercise forces it to calm down and focus on what you want. After your dog is waiting and is calm, open the door and step out first. Remember that you are always supposed to be in front of your dog, so do not let it charge forward. You may have to repeat this exercise several times and use treats to be successful.

The Walk

After you leave the house, the dog should walk beside you. If it tries to pull ahead, give the leash an upward yank. This will give it a correction so it will know that is undesirable behavior. The yank will not hurt your dog but may startle it. If your dog keeps pulling ahead, stop and reverse directions to distract it. Periodically, you should stop and make the dog sit. This re-establishes that you are in control and is a good way to maintain control over your dog during every walk.

Resources

• Leash Training Tips
• Walking the Dog