Loose Leash Walking
Why is walking on a loose leash important? Going for a walk with you provides Fido with the physical exercise required and also helps meet his mental and social needs. Insufficient exercise can contribute to problem behaviors including destructiveness (chewing and digging), investigative behavior (garbage raiding), hyperactivity, unruliness, excitability, attention-getting behaviors and even some forms of barking.
Who is walking who here?
Why do dogs tend to pull, chase and forge ahead? Dogs that are particularly exploratory, playful or investigative pull their humans down the street as they are attracted to appealing things (children, squirrels, rabbits, other dogs). As you pull backwards in an attempt to restrain Fido, his natural reaction is to pull ahead even harder since most dogs tend to pull against pressure.
This exercise is designed to teach Fido to pay attention to you and not pull ahead on the leash. The final product of consistent work in this area is a dog that doesn’t pull you down the street and knows it is his job to pay attention to you so you can walk together comfortably. We want Fido to learn that even when encountering any of the enticing smells that can lure a canine, the rule is don’t pull, stay by my side. The leash is like a telephone line between you and Fido. Learning to walk on a loose leash is essential if you ever want to advance to off-leash work. Leash manners are like table manners – they are non-negotiable.
How do I get my dog to walk on a loose leash?
Step one: Take a deep breath and loosen that grip on the leash! Give Fido 2-3 feet of leash, depending on his size. Some dogs do best if you hold a treat by your side in the beginning to help them focus on the task at hand (pun intended.) When Fido becomes distracted and begins to pull on the leash, call his name, make an immediate U-Turn and walk in the opposite direction. He will be surprised and stop or turn to follow you. Immediately, click, reward and praise. In the beginning, even the smallest attempts to curb his enthusiasm to “go it alone” should be applauded. Our goal is to teach Fido to stop drifting off and pay attention to you. When you stop, Fido is to stop. In the beginning, give him the command to sit and help guide him into position. With time and consistency, this will become automatic behavior.