Maybe you know it. Your dog walks a pretty long distance most of the time….
But suddenly there is something more exciting than you, or you come down to the free-run area and then the leash can fortunately come off....
Many dogs today are actually not very good at walking properly on a leash, but even more owners are not very good at training them.
Besides the fact that you as a dog owner are annoyed by having your arm torn off, you often see dogs get neck and back injuries from pulling on the leash on daily walks.
….Avoid the following if the dog pulls
✔ Do not train your dog to walk nicely on a flexline. It is impossible for the dog to know how long the leash is, and it quickly learns that the leash gets longer when the dog pulls.
✔ Avoid having the leash constantly tight. When the dog is walking nicely or sitting and waiting, it is important that you have the leash loose, so that the dog knows that it is the reward for “walking nicely”
✔ Don't go in the direction the dog is pulling. If there is a bird, cat or scent that the dog insists on WANTING to go to – then change direction and go the opposite way.
….GOOD ADVICE FOR TEACHING YOUR DOG TO WALK NICELY
Always start by having the dog's focus. That is, before you start the walk, spend 1-2 minutes doing some contact exercises or similar that create focus on you from the dog's side.
See contact exercises here
✔ Fill your pockets with treats and only start training when you have the time and patience.
When the dog pulls, stop and remain standing. Wait for the dog to make contact with you (look or walk back towards you) so the leash becomes loose again and then continue. Be prepared that you may only move a few meters at a time for a period of time.
✔ Turn around or change route if the dog is too interested in scents or other things, and thus loses focus on you.
✔ Remember to praise the dog when it walks nicely, and remember to keep the leash loose.
The 3 things you should avoid if your dog pulls
Maybe you know it. Your dog walks a pretty long distance most of the time….
But suddenly there is something more exciting than you, or you come down to the free-run area and then the leash can fortunately come off....
Many dogs today are actually not very good at walking properly on a leash, but even more owners are not very good at training them.
Besides the fact that you as a dog owner are annoyed by having your arm torn off, you often see dogs get neck and back injuries from pulling on the leash on daily walks.
….Avoid the following if the dog pulls
✔ Do not train your dog to walk nicely on a flexline. It is impossible for the dog to know how long the leash is, and it quickly learns that the leash gets longer when the dog pulls.
✔ Avoid having the leash constantly tight. When the dog is walking nicely or sitting and waiting, it is important that you have the leash loose, so that the dog knows that it is the reward for “walking nicely”
✔ Don't go in the direction the dog is pulling. If there is a bird, cat or scent that the dog insists on WANTING to go to – then change direction and go the opposite way.
….GOOD ADVICE FOR TEACHING YOUR DOG TO WALK NICELY
Always start by having the dog's focus. That is, before you start the walk, spend 1-2 minutes doing some contact exercises or similar that create focus on you from the dog's side.
See contact exercises here
✔ Fill your pockets with treats and only start training when you have the time and patience.
When the dog pulls, stop and remain standing. Wait for the dog to make contact with you (look or walk back towards you) so the leash becomes loose again and then continue. Be prepared that you may only move a few meters at a time for a period of time.
✔ Turn around or change route if the dog is too interested in scents or other things, and thus loses focus on you.
✔ Remember to praise the dog when it walks nicely, and remember to keep the leash loose.