How to Leash Train an Older Dog
All dogs should be taught to safely walk on a leash under their owners' control. This offers protection from moving vehicles, vicious dogs and other dangers. Most dogs learn the skill as puppies, but some older dogs lack the knowledge because owners were lax. Teaching an older dog to walk on a leash is not difficult, but it does require persistence.
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Things You'll Need
- 6-foot leash made from leather or cotton
- Buckle collar
- Choke collar
- Prong collar
- Treats
Instructions
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Choose which type of collar will best accommodate your dog's needs and personality. Choke collars are like a chain type that fits around the dog's neck and snaps when pulled in quick jerks but doesn't cause pain or choking. Simple leather buckle collars are common for dogs that do not pull excessively. The prong collar looks menacing, but is humane and often used for overly strong dogs. It works by pinching and applying pressure when the dog pulls or lunges forward. Always use a 6-foot leather or cotton training leash for maximum control.
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Hold the leash bunched in your right hand, stretched across your body. Control the leash with your left hand by gripping about two feet of the leash up from the dog's collar. Have a pocket full of treats ready, perhaps in a fanny packs. Walk forward with your dog. Talk to your dog and try to get the dog to look up at you and pay attention. Many dogs enjoy a sing-song voice that offers encouragement.
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Snap the leash back quickly and then release it if the dog lunges forward or lags behind. Say "heel" in a firm voice. Try this repeatedly as you are walking forward with no turns. When the dog gives you its full attention without lunging or lagging, give it abundant praise and a treat.
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Change direction suddenly once the dog has mastered walking in a straight line without lunging. The dog should be paying attention to you so it can easily swing into the turn. But if the dog pulls and tries to continue going straight, or does not respond, snap the leash a couple of times to get its attention. Remember to snap and release quickly. Never pull the dog or maintain pressure on the dog's leash. When the dog changes directions with you, give abundant praise and a treat.
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Teach the "sit" command when the dog has mastered walking forward on a leash and turning on a leash without lunging or lagging. On a leash, a dog should walk beside you with no pulling, lunging or lagging. When you stop, the dog should stop and sit. The dog should wait to resume the walk from a sitting position. Teach "sit" by stopping, turning toward the dog, and pushing the dog's rear end to the ground with one hand while pulling gently up on the dog's neck by the leash. Say "sit." When the dog sits promptly, give praise and a treat.
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Resume walking from a sit position by confidently stepping forward and saying "heel." If the dog does not follow, snap the leash quickly so the dog gets the idea to get up from the sit position and move out. Offer abundant praise and a treat when the dog promptly leaps into a heel beside you.
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Practice heeling every day for at least 15 minutes per session. Soon the dog will look forward to the positive training interaction sessions with its owner. Training is a superb way to form a deep bond between the both of you. Once the dog has mastered "heel," you can branch out to other obedience exercises. A dog that heels safely on a leash will one day learn to obey without a leash and will heel happily beside its owner.
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Tips & Warnings
Always offer abundant praise. Dogs flourish more on praise than treats.
When the dog is not lunging or lagging, the trainer should hold the leash loosely.
Never use an electric dog collar when teaching a dog to walk on a leash. These collars should only be used by expert dog trainers. They can be destructive both physically and mentally to the dog.
Always use either a leather leash or a cotton leash that is 6 feet long. Never use a nylon leash because nylon can and will quickly burn your hands from excessive pulling or one quick pull.
