Loose Leash Walking Tips

Before you can begin teaching your dog how to walk with a loose leash, the dog should be used to the leash. Check out our article on leash training for dogs if you have no prior experience.

This first step is crucial in order to ensure that you can progress to the nest step which is loose leash walking. Ensure that you puppy has been properly

To begin, you should have a 6-fot lead which is attached to the dog’s collar. Ensure you have a proper grip on the leash.

You may also want to teach the dog some basic commands such as “heel.” Training collars such as prong collars may be used but this is not advised.

When walking, ensure that the leash is always held loosely and is not tight. If the dog tugs on the leash or pull the leash, then stop immediately. Stand your ground even if the dog continues to pull. In time, the dog will see that his behaviour is not getting him anywhere and he will stop pulling. When the leash is loose, you can then begin walking once again.

Praise the dog for correct behaviour. Lavish the dig with praise every time he walks without pulling. If he pulls, you stop show the dog that you do not encourage his behaviour by ignoring him. Praise him when he is content to walk by your side.

Make the walk interesting for the dog. Dogs have a short attention span, if their eye catches something that is more interesting when you are out for a walk the dog is bound to pull. You can keep the dog’s interesting by changing the pace, moving faster that way the dog walks as if he is trotting.

It is also good to encourage the dog to keep looking back at you. Use of a clicker has worked well for some people where every time the dog makes eye contact you make a clicking sound with the clicker then offer the dog a treat.

Repeat this several times, afterward make a noise using the clicker, if the dog looks at you and makes eye contact, give the dog a treat and praise him. This can be applied in loose leash walking where, if you feel the leash is getting taut, you make a noise with the clicker. This method is especially useful for leash pulling problems in excitable dogs.

Since the dog has learned to associate the clicking sound with eye contact he will look at you. When this happens offer the dog a treat as a means of reinforcing the good behaviour.

Never yank the leash when the dog pulls as this causes the dog’s head to turn suddenly and may result in injury. Instead you can use the stopping method or you can go back a few steps every time the dog tags. This serves to help the dog understand that pulling on the leash causes the walk to stop but when he stops pulling, the walk resumes and he is rewarded.

Loose leash walking is important for dog owners and makes walks with the dog a more enjoyable experience. It ensures that you keep control of your dog and you do not overexert yourself too much in trying to keep a hold of the dog.

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