Leash Walking Tips

Did you know that one of the biggest problems for dog owners is leash walking?  Every week I get a call from someone complaining about the way their dog pulls. It can actually be dangerous for you to walk your dog if he is a really bad puller.  I've seen people dragged down and hurt by their dog's pulling problem. So today, I'm going to share with you some valuable tips on leash walking.  Here they are:

Tip #1: Never try to walk a dog that has been cooped up all day.

If he has been lying around waiting for you, let him burn off some of his energy before you take him for a walk. Throw a ball, play tug-o-war, or some activity to tire him out before the walk.

Tip #2: Use a gentle leader.

One of the best collars on the market is the gentle leader head collar. It works by controlling your dog's head. When you control the head you can control the body, much the same as a horse bridle.  They really are great collars.  If your dog has a hard time adjusting to it, for the first week or so, just put it on for a short time while he is doing something he loves - like eating.  Very quickly he'll start to make a positive association with the gentle leader, and it will no longer pose a problem.

Tip #3: Teach him where you want him to be.

Your dog does not know that he is supposed to be walking on your side.  Spend some time using a lure. Put a little piece of food in your left hand and hold it close to your dog's nose. Have him follow the lure, reward him every five or six feet.  As he gets better, go for longer and longer periods.  Once he learns where you want him, you can fade out the lure.

Tip #4: Don't let your dog's opposition reflex kick in.

When you apply pressure, he will resist with counter-pressure.  If you pull back on the leash, he will resist and pull harder...opposition reflex.

The secret to leash walking is always keeping the leash loose. Don't allow the leash to become tight.  This takes a lot of patience at first, but it is well worth the effort.