Walking Your Pup.

Yesterday I talked about exercise with your dog, but many think walking your dog on the leash is just too much trouble because they pull so hard!  Leash walking needs to be fun with you and your pet, not a hassle.  To make this a little more enjoyable for the both of you here are a few tips on loose leash walking.

Every dog is different and that means, just like people, they learn better with different techniques.  This is true with how old they are too.  A puppy up to 6 months is brand new to the world so everything they experience is what you make it.  A dog 7 months to 3 years is still an adolescent.  That means they will be easier to get out of that bad habit of pulling you on the leash.  A dog over 3 years may be a little more set in their ways and will be a bit more difficult to get out of their habit of leash pulling.

#1 Attention!

Are you able to get your dog’s attention while out on a walk no matter what is going on around you?  If your answer is no, then that is something you should definitely work on.  Bring some treats or a toy on the the walk with with and your dog to make yourself a little more interesting.  If you do not have your dog’s attention you dog will never walk on a loose leash.  Another way to grab your dog’s attention on walks is to make many many turns.  The more turns you make, the more they will look up at you for direction.

#2 Patience

Patience is one of the keys of training your dog to anything.  If you don’t have patience then your dog will become frustrated and may shut down.  So remember if you are becoming frustrated, take a deep breath and end on a good note ALWAYS!

#3 Define

Let your dog know where you are wanting to go.  Use plenty of treats on this part!  Use the treats to lure them in the right direction.  Once you define where you are wanting your dog to go, they will begin to understand what you are wanting from them.

#4 Short Leash

Keep your dog on a very short leash at first.  If your dog is out in front of you they are in lead of the walk.  You are wanting to be in lead of the walk so making sure the leash is right beside you will give you more control.

#5 Make Like a Tree

As soon as your dog begins to pull STOP and don’t move.  Once your dog comes back to you on a loose leash, praise and begin to walk again.  Concept: Never, EVER move when your dog is pulling you.  This will require lots of patience, because you will feel like you are not going anywhere.  But be patient and your dog will get the idea.

#6 Building on Distractions

Practice first inside with little distractions.  Once you have it down inside with little distractions move outside to practice.  Try first in your front or back yard.  That way it is not too exciting for your dog to become distracted and forget what you are practicing.  Then build up to walking down the street.  PATIENCE, Patience, patience!!!

#7 Practice Practice Practice

The more you practice the loose leash walking, the more proficient you and your dog will become.  You will do great!

Leash walking is one of the best exercises your dog can do.  But this will only become mental and physical exercise if you have all attention on you and your dog.  That means, leave your cell phone at home and give all of your attention to your dog.  Enjoy it as much as your dog is going to enjoy just being with it’s master!