How to Teach Your Dog to Walk On Leash

The problem with leash walking is not necessarily the dog. The problem is human nature. If you put a leash in our hands, we tend to use it, yanking our dogs along on walks that are not fun for anyone. We also tend to teach leash walking in reverse order. We believe that we first must have a well-behaved dog on-leash before we can have one off-leash. I recommend doing the opposite. Let's teach our dog to behave and follow us off-leash. Now all we have to do is attach the leash and we're walking nicely.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Dog
• A flat, 6-foot leash
• A regular buckle collar or harness

1. Teach your dog to follow you off-leash by engaging him in a fun game. Slap your thighs, snap your fingers, use a silly voice or squeak a squeaky in your pocket to get his attention. When your dog pays attention and follows you, reward him with a yummy treat.

2. Change your pace; turn left and right, start and stop. All the while you are keeping your dog focused on you and following along.

3. Every few yards, ask your dog to sit or lie down. This puts you at the center of your dog's interest. After a few seconds of sitting or lying down, reward your dog by releasing him and have him follow you again. Practice this game until your dog is attentive and eager to follow along.

4. Snap the leash on to your dog’s collar or harness and stand still. If your dog is pulling on the leash, remain stationary until your dog gives you slack in the leash. When he does, praise him and take ONE step forward. Your dog is likely to charge to the end of the leash. If this happens, remain standing still and wait for slack in the leash, no matter how long it takes. When you get the slack, take another single step forward, praise and reward your dog with a food treat. Soon your dog will learn that his pulling on the leash is like putting on the brakes. He doesn’t get to move forward unless the leash is loose.

5. Repeat this activity, increasing the amount of steps you take until your dog is walking attentively on a loose leash.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you practice off-leash training in a safe place like a fenced yard or tennis court.
• Training sessions should be short and simple, always ending on a high note.
• Set yourself and your dog up for success. Make sure there are few distractions.
• The use of choke collars, pinch collars or shock collars is ineffective and potentially dangerous.
• Retractable leashes actually teach dogs to pull. A regular flat leash is best for teaching leash walking.

[tcasper]

on 7/13/2009 I use all these methods myself... they really do work. Great article!

[AdirondackTrina]

on 5/24/2009 Great article about teaching my dog to walk on a leash!

[WritingNag]

on 4/18/2009 Very good advice on leash training! Thanks. 5*

[sixstring2slim]

on 4/17/2009 Hi Peace! Great idea! I bet in most cases, this system of "behavioral chaining" works well with younger dogs? Excellent Tips and Warnings! 5*starz~ Carson

[scleveland]

on 4/17/2009 Helpful tips, thanks five *'s.