Leash Training Basics​

One of the first things to do while leash training your dog is to put aside all prejudgements regarding dog behavior. The misconception is that dogs who pull while walking on a leash try to be in "control" or "alpha" over their owner. That thought process can harm the training process and create barriers during training.

With positive reinforcement training, you can look at the more simple reason a dog may be pulling: they have never been taught the behavior you want from them, and the outdoors is exciting. It can be overstimulating, and there are many things to explore!

A leash can be frustrating for a dog at first. They cannot roam freely, explore what they want to explore, and smell what they want to smell. Being on a leash prevents a dog from acting as they usually would, so patience in training is critical. Teaching a dog how to properly walk without painful measures (like prong collars, shock collars, excessive yanking, or pulling) is essential to make the process as smooth as possible.

Recommended Equipment

Some dogs do well with a regular flat collar and leash. However, if your dog pulls excessively, the pressure from the collar could damage the throat and trachea. If you have a dog that may back out of a flat collar, you may want to fit your dog with a martingale collar. Other walking tools might be an excellent place to start your leash-led journey together.

A Chest Harness is a great tool to take pressure off a dog's neck and throat. It evenly distributes pressure around their body and adds stability to the walk. Harnesses that link to the front can help with excessive pullers as it will guide their body to the side and give them less leverage to pull you.

Head Halti or other head collars can be beneficial if your dog is an excessive puller. Whenever a dog pulls forward, it will automatically bring its head around and prevent them from being able to pull forward. If you choose to use a head collar of any variety, make sure to start with slow introductions for short periods in your home before venturing out into the public. These collars can take an adjustment period, and slow starts will make you and your pet more comfortable. It is recommended to have a flat or martingale collar in conjunction with the head collar for additional safety.

Prong Collars and Shock Collars West Valley Humane Society does not agree with or support using prong or shock collars while training your pet. Positive reinforcement training allows for force-free training that promotes a positive relationship between you and your dog. Any device that causes pain harms the relationship between you and your pet, can lead to discomfort and may cause behavioral concerns down the road.

How to get started

Stop and Wait

Sometimes, in our efforts to curb the behavior, we can accidentally reinforce it. If you are getting over-excited (yelling, sudden movements, etc.), you can harm the situation more than help. Whenever your dog pulls in any direction, try stopping and waiting. Removing the excitement from the situation is sometimes all needed to refocus the energy on the walk itself. Once the leash relaxes, and your dog focuses, you can try walking again. This process can take time, and patience and consistency are key!

Reversing Direction

Another technique you can use is to turn and walk in the opposite direction from whatever is stimulating your dog. Any time your dog is going in a direction that is not part of your walking path, you can face the direction you came and start walking back.

Rather than yanking or using forceful methods, try giving treats to encourage your dog to follow your lead. A cue like "let's go" or "come on" can help provide a verbal cue for the action. This can help to recenter your dog while walking.

Once the leash is relaxed, or you are successfully walking in the opposite direction, you can turn back and continue on your way. This process can take a few tries, but between your cues, treats, and consistency of not being able to move forward with their behavior, your dog will catch on quickly!

Make yourself exciting

One way to keep your dog focused on you during walks is to give them an incentive to follow your lead. Teaching your dog "look at me" and getting a treat reward for looking up at you can help your dog remain focused on you. Having a firm set of recalls (like "look at me" or "let's go") can be really important when going into unknown environments.

Another way to have your dog stay focused on you while walking is to be unpredictable in your walking patterns. If your dog doesn't know where you will turn next, it will be more likely to follow your lead. Try turning in an odd or reversing direction but going towards the dog rather than away. Always use praise and treats to reward them for doing well at following.

Goals

Your goal is to reward your pet for the positive relationship you are building. Rewarding your dog for following instructions, walking well on a leash, and staying by your side will only help guarantee that behavior will happen again. Using punishing methods can harm the trust in your relationship and confuse your dog as they are trying to learn a new skill.