How to Train Your Dog for Walks

Training your dog is more about training yourself to interact with your dog in a correct way. It's easy once you get the hang of it!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Treats
• Calm Mind
• Minimal Distractions
• Much Patience
• ...More Patience!

1. 
   Becoming a pack leader is more than just yelling and controlling a dog!

   Teaching your dog can be simple if you think of how their wild relatives live: in a pack. The first thing you want to do is assert that you have brought the animal into YOUR pack. This should make you PACK LEADER, but only if you can assert yourself as such. Imagine someone you "follow" and try to list reasons why you like following or trusting them. Are they kind but firm? Do they handle problems easily and not irrationally? Do you look to them for things you're unsure of? Are they quick to defend you if trouble arises? A pack leader is calm but assertive and can handle situations. Don't hit, yell or abuse your dog. This does not make you pack leader, it makes them fearful. If you act in an erratic way, they see the position as pack leader available and will try to fit into it and that doesn't turn out well for you or them!

2. 
   Make sure you're the first one out of the house.

   After you have gained your animal's trust and you have demonstrated leadership qualities, you can begin walking them. Like the old saying goes, a tired dog is a good dog! Every dog likes to roam the outdoors so take that opportunity to walk your dog. Walking your dog should be enjoyable for both of you and this is one of many places where the pack leader quality is employed. When you leave the house, make sure you lead as this starts the walk with you in control.

3. 
   Keep the dog to your side or behind you while walking him/her.

   Once you and your dog are on the sidewalk, your pack leading skills are put to the test even more. Do not let your dog walk ahead of you. If your dog is walking ahead, she/he is leading the pack, which is you! This means you must have the dog walk beside or behind you at YOUR pace. If your dog is a little stubborn, you can give a quick (not abusive or harsh) tug on the leash to grab his attention and give a "CH!" sound while pulling him/her back to your side. If he/she still refuses, you can pull the leash back, which will pull him to your side and then you can put your leg in front of him to demonstrate you are leading this walk and not him. It may take a few tries but the repetitive demonstration of your pack position will sink in and he/she will learn to walk beside or behind you in no time at all!

Tips & Warnings

• Any dog at any time can learn to walk with it's leader this way. Age doesn't matter! You can assert your role as pack leader at any time and the dog will begin to respect it if you keep it constant.
• Don't think that one walk will teach your dog to behave, it is a constant role you've decided to fill. If you want the dog to always look to you as a pack leader, you must always demonstrate an assertive yet peaceful demeanor.
• Dogs can feel your energy, how you feel, etc. so you must feel completely in control, otherwise the roles may switch and that leads to an unhappy friendship between human and canine.
• We look at dogs like people with fur but they look at us like hairless dogs. We're their pack and they're ours but humanizing an animal is one of the worst things you can do. Remember, even though they might understand commands or some speech, they're still animals!
• Be careful with some animals like rehabilitated dogs and aged dogs, sometimes they need more care and consideration. Rehabilitated dogs sometimes have trouble breaking the routines of their painful past and older dogs sometimes have trouble hearing or seeing so make sure to take these ideas into consideration when walking a dog.

[NightowlMama]

on 7/12/2009 my brother needs this one thanks