The 5 best ways to train your dog to walk on a leash without pulling or dragging.
A daily walk is one of the most crucial things for a dog's health. Frequent walks support your four-legged friend's mental health by providing enjoyable new smells and socialization opportunities, as well as maintaining their musculoskeletal health, fitness, and ideal body condition. The best part is that walks can help them spend quality time bonding with you, their favorite person!
Walking your dog on a leash can be stressful and dangerous for both pet owners and their dogs if the dog behaves erratically. Here are five veterinarian-approved methods for teaching dogs to walk calmly on a leash so you and your dog can put your best foot forward when you're out and about.
Which kind of leash is ideal for your dog?
First things first: get your dog a strong leash (1.5–2 meters is the ideal length) so they can explore and sniff when it's safe to do so!
For several reasons, retractable leashes are not advised. First of all, they make it challenging to regulate your pet's distance from you, which can be a serious safety risk if your pet is close to a busy road or an unfriendly dog approaches. Second, a fast unreeling retractable leash string has painfully "flossed" many an owner's hand or leg. Finally, if dogs start running before you can activate the leash length locking mechanism, they can gain a lot of momentum and you could be pulled off your feet or have the leash pulled in the interim.
What supplies are needed to teach your dog to walk on a lead?
Wiggly Dachshunds, tiny explorers, senior sidekicks, puppies-in-training, and squishy-faced cuties like Bulldogs and Pugs are all excellent candidates for harnesses. This is due to the fact that these dogs typically have more sensitive necks and tracheas (windpipes), so pressure from a leash may exacerbate spinal injuries or airway problems.
Generally speaking, the ideal harness for your pet will be adjustable in a few places to guarantee a snug and comfortable fit around their neck and shoulders as well as their chest. Instead of a horizontal strap across your dog's shoulders, which can obstruct the proper extension of their front legs, the main load-bearing portion of the harness should ideally run in a "Y-shape" just beneath their neck on both sides and then down the front center of their chest.
A harness with a leash attachment clip at the front of the chest in addition to the standard attachment clip at the top of the back or shoulders may also make training stronger pups easier.
In order to avoid cutting into your best friend's neck and to be strong enough to support their weight should they ever pull against it, collars should be the right thickness. They should fit snugly enough to prevent them from slipping off over their heads, but still allow one or two fingers to fit underneath.
However, prong collars or choke chains (also called "check collars") should never be used. They may result in major injuries as well as stress and discomfort for your dog.
Step 1: Make sure your dog is at ease using the leash.
Leash training should begin when your puppy is at the height of socialization; this can be done in enclosed yards before your puppy finishes their immunization series or indoors in the security of your home. Your dog will benefit from early positive exposure to lead training, walking, and socializing with other dogs since it will make them feel at ease and at ease in these circumstances later on.
Leash training is still possible at any age, so don't worry if your dog is already an adult. However, it's a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about referring your pet to a trained trainer for desensitization and counterconditioning training techniques as well as other supportive measures if your pet exhibits nervous or reactive behaviours during walks or in other unfamiliar situations. This guarantees that your dog receives the best care possible during these crucial life stages!
Step 2: Make use of reward-based instruction
The most efficient and compassionate method of teaching your dog is reward-based dog training, which is always advised. This entails ignoring any undesirable behaviours and rewarding your dog with treats, praise, or a favorite toy when they exhibit positive behaviours (to encourage them to repeat that behaviour in the future). Treats should be 1cm square pieces of a "high value" food that won't upset your pet's stomach, like dried beef liver, dried chicken breast, or a high-quality pet jerky (like plain dried lamb, kangaroo, or beef).
Because training sessions are entertaining and enjoyable for both pet parents and furry friends, reward-based training enhances the quality of the relationship between pet and owner. Aversive training methods and verbal or physical punishment should be avoided because they not only don't teach dogs how to behave, but they can also cause anxiety and defensive aggression. Maintaining your dog's comfort throughout the procedure is crucial.
Step 3: Learn to walk on a loose leash
The majority of untrained dogs naturally pull on a leash because they are eager to explore and make new friends. But your dog needs to understand that they don't have to drag you around to enjoy new sights and smells.
Start by teaching your dog or puppy to walk on a leash using a method called "loose-leash walking," which is advised by the RSPCA. This can be achieved by rewarding your dog with a delicious treat every few steps while they are walking on the leash without pulling. If your dog begins to pull, stop right away and wait for them to come back to your side. They learn from this that pulling behavior equates to no walkies!
If your dog still pulls in spite of this training, try using a front-attach harness instead of a collar. In this manner, you can leash your dog from behind and turn them if they pull with the front end of the leash.
Step 4: Instruct crucial commands
In order to keep your dog from picking up potentially hazardous objects on walks, like trash or a poisonous plant, you can also teach them to leave things alone through reward-based training. This entails teaching your dog a verbal cue like "leave it."
It basically entails holding a treat in your closed hand, ignoring your dog's attempts to nudge your hand for the treat, and letting them take it when they move slightly away from it. Different trainers may employ different methods to teach this. Add a playful cue word once your dog has mastered this trick, then use it like magic when you go for walks. Not to mention the delicious treats—good dogs should be rewarded!
Step 5: To ensure off-leash safety, practice recall
Recall, or teaching your pet to return when called, is covered in the last chapter of the "perfect walkies playbook." You will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to walk off-leash in approved off-leash areas while also keeping them safe.
Start in a secure area, such as your backyard, and proceed with these enjoyable, simple steps!
- Call your dog's name, take a few steps ahead of them, and walk them on a long leash.
- Use the command "come" and provide a reward when your dog comes running to you.
- Before giving the order, put more space between you and your dog.
- Practice using the leash at home first, then in public places where your dog might be distracted.
- When your dog can recall information 80% of the time on a long leash with lots of distractions, move on to off-leash work in a secure, quiet area.
Entering a busy park with lots of exciting distractions right away could send your dog on an adventure that could be dangerous for them and stressful for you! Gradually improve their abilities for fun that is safer and less frustrating.
It's crucial to remember that while some dogs—like focused herding dogs like Border Collies—may find learning recall relatively simple, other pets—like beagles following a scent—may be more prone to getting side-tracked.
Maintaining consistency is essential.
It takes patience, rewards, and repetition to teach your four-legged friend how to walk on a leash. When faced with an unpredictable distraction while out and about (such as another dog barking at them), dogs in the early stages of training frequently perform well in calmer settings but seem to forget everything. But if this continues to be a problem for your pet, talk to your veterinarian for suggestions on a qualified trainer who can assist.
Walkies that are stress-free
Patience, practice, and lots of treats are necessary for proper leash training! Although it's common for dogs to become sidetracked, keep an eye out for any possible threats.
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