Spring is here in the beautiful Boston Mountains, and if you are anything like me, you are ready to get out and enjoy it! There isn’t much better than a relaxing hike with your best friend, but for so many, walking the dog is anything but relaxing!

I sometimes imagine that, if our dogs could change one thing about us, it would be the speed at which we move. Our dog’s natural gait is typically much faster than ours, and varies in speed. It’s no wonder they often drag us out the door and down the road!

Training your dog to walk nicely on the leash can be great for both of you. He will get more exercise and stimulation, and you will be able to enjoy his company while getting exercise. While this exercise can take some time, it is really worth doing.

Here are some step by step tips to help you teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash.

1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT. All mammals have an involuntary reflex that causes them to pull against anything that pulls on them. It’s called “opposition reflex”. The more pressure your dog feels pulling him back, the more pressure he will apply to try and counter it. Switching to a piece of equipment that reduces the pressure on your dog when he pulls will actually reduce the force with which he pulls. I recommend a harness for my clients. In addition, a harness is safer for your dog. The neck is a sensitive area, and damage to the trachea, esophagus, and thyroid are permanent.

2. IF YOUR DOG IS PULLING, STOP IMMEDIATELY. Any behavior we reward will be repeated, and if your dog is trying to get to a particular smell or location and he pulls you there he will receive his reward. This will teach him to pull on the leash to get where he wants to go. So the first thing you need to do is establish a new rule: He no longer gets to move when the leash is tight. When he tightens the leash, stop. Try and get his attention the first few times and see if he doesn’t reduce the tension on the lead himself. Once he does, proceed forward. If he stands (or sits) with the leash pulled tight, give him your verbal command for walking (I use “Let’s go!”) and turn and go the other way.

3. TEACH YOUR DOG WHERE TO WALK. This doesn’t mean teach him where NOT to walk. There are so many places you don’t want him to walk. The best course of action is to teach him where you DO want him to walk. Reward the position with treats, toys, and praise. Be consistent about where you want him to walk. Practice sits in heel position, and take a few steps at a time, rewarding him as he stays in step with you. If you focus on where NOT to walk your dog may get confused or even give up. He may also develop leash frustration, which often turns into leash aggression. We want the walk to be fun for everyone, not torture for all.

Stick with it, keep practicing, and have fun!

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About Dawn Sims

I have been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). I am also a freelance writer for dog related publications.
I have been training dogs since 1997, promoting force-free, science based training methods, instructing group classes and providing private in-home dog training. I have worked extensively with dogs with behavioral issues, including those suffering from anxiety, aggression and other stress related disorders. I have dedicates much of my free time to rehabilitating and re-homing shelter dogs with a variety of rescue organizations.
As part of my passion for advocating science based dog training methods, I have had the privilege to lecture at Virginia Tech’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
In 2014 I returned to Arkansas after 12 years in rural North Carolina, where Happy Hound Pet Services began in 2007. I live in Rudy, Arkansas, with my husband, eight dogs and occasional foster dogs.