Dog Training - Simple Shortcut To Teach Your Dog To Walk On A Lead
Today’s Cool Dog Newsletter is the first one of a series of two that deals with the issue of lead walking your dog.
We all have seen or have been part of the familiar view of dog pulling its owner during a walk. It looks like the dog is taking the owner for a walk, and not the other way around!
In the article that follows, I will be introducing the basics of lead walking. I remember how wonderful it was the first time that I was not pulled by my dog when walking. This walk, different from the others was a relaxed, enjoyable one. You too, can enjoy this feeling (almost effortlessly) while walking your dog. Get back the control you need.
Here is your article:
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Title: Simple Shortcut To Teach Your Dog To Walk On A Lead
Author: Dr. Mayra Alfonso
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Teaching your dog to walk on a lead is important to his safety and yours especially if he is a large dog. Even walking small dogs that have the tendency to pull their owners could be a hazard and an uncomfortable situation.
A basic rule is that dogs should never be allowed to run at will, they should be on a lead at all times unless they are with you in a safe and secure place.
Dogs need to learn to walk on a lead without pulling your arm out of its joint, and without strangling themselves.
As in all other forms of training, start indoors. If you have never put a collar in your dog, first you need to place the collar on the floor and allow the dog to smell it. Do not allow him to play with it or buy it.
The next step you would need to do is to place the collar around the dog’s neck. Make certain the collar fits tight, but that is not too tight that would strangle your dog. The rule of thumb is that you don’t want to be able to put more than two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. You will need to find the right fit for your dog.
Regardless of how big your dog will get in the future, don’t buy him a lead or dog collar that are too heavy, and don’t get a collar for a small puppy when you have one that weighs in at 25 pounds, use common sense when fitting the collar.
Then, you may want to attach the lead to his collar and let him drag it around for a while, be sure that it doesn’t get tangled up in something and hurt him. Do not leave him unsupervised during this time. At least allow him to smell and become familiar with the lead. Again, be sure that the collar and lead are comfortable and fit properly.
With the dog on your left side, hold the lead and reward in your right hand, use your left hand to hold the slack in the lead. Get his attention and give him the command to “sit”.
As you walk, start off with your left foot, as he walks beside you; give him the “heel” command.
If he tries to pull forward, gently pull back on the leash. Once the dog has come back to you, or has stopped pulling, allow him to start walking again. Every time he pulls forward, you need to pull on the opposite direction. What this would do, is to teach your dog that as soon as he continues pulling, he is going nowhere.
In retrospect, love and patience teaches love and patience, these are both things we want our dogs to know. Dog training is the basis for a dog that everyone enjoys being around, and becomes a happy and healthy dog.
Have a great Cool Dog day,
Dr. Mayra Alfonso
