How to Teach Your Dog to Walk by Your Side

You see people walking with their dogs nicely strolling by their side and you wonder how they do it. With patience and practice, your dog too can be the awe of the neighborhood.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Collar
• Leash
• Dog treats

1. Begin training your dog in a familiar setting. Use your backyard or an area your dog can be comfortable. Dog parks and crowded areas may distract from your training session.
2. Position your dog to your left side and attach the leash to his collar, then place the leash into your right hand. Use a 4- to 6-foot leash. This allows you to maintain control over your dog, yet allows slack on the leash so your dog learns that you want a loose leash with him by your side.
3. Walk forward while stating, "Come" to your dog. If your dog starts to move ahead of you, pull back on the leash with the, "Heel" command and if your dog lags behind, give a gentle tug on the leash with the, "Come" command.
4. Praise your dog as he is walking by your side. State, "Good Boy" throughout the training to reinforce good walking.
5. Turn in a 180-degree angle to your right to teach your dog to follow your direction and repeat Steps 3 and 4.
6. Stop walking and place your dog into the "Sit" position. Reward your dog with a treat for following your commands.
7. Continue training your dog following Steps 2 through 6. By training on a regular basis, you're reinforcing walking by your side. If you or your dog tire out, take a break and resume training the next day.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient with your dog. Teaching your dog to walk by your side may take time.
• After successfully leash training your dog to walk by your side, remove the leash to teach your dog to walk by your side while unrestrained. Only do this in an enclosed area such as a fenced-in backyard or indoors.
• Check into the Leash Laws in your area that may require your dog to be on a least at all times.