Training Your Dog to Walk on a Leash

You have a new dog, perhaps a puppy or even an older dog you’ve adopted or rescued. The first thing you want to do with your new canine companion is to start going for walks. Even if you have an enormous fenced in backyard, going for a walk with your dog is a necessity.

Why Walk Your Dog

First, walking your dog is a good form of exercise for him and for you. And who doesn’t need a little bit more exercise?

Dog walking is also a good time to start teaching your dog that you are the one who is the authority in the family. You do this by having the dog walk beside you instead of running ahead of you. You also do it by controlling when your dog can stop walking instead of letting him spend a few minutes sniffing everything you walk by.

Numerous opportunities for socialization will also occur during the walk. You’ll encounter other people, other dogs, and a wide range of cars, noises, and other experiences your new canine needs to be comfortable with.

But even if you know you should walk your dog, the bigger question is how to do this feat successfully.

Start with the Right Tools

You need to have the right tools before you start walking your dog. First, you need a leash. Most leashes will work fine. Some people prefer leather; others prefer nylon. The choice is up to you. However, the only leash you should NOT choose is a retractable/extensive leash.

These extensive leashes are popular but they are not good for dog walking. Their design makes correcting your dog difficult and encourages you to let your dog run freely ahead of you. These leashes can also be dangerous. If the thin leash cord gets wrapped around you or your dog, for example, it can cause serious injuries.

Besides the leash, you also need a collar. Here’s where things get a bit trickier because different collars are going to work better with some dogs over others. Here’s a breakdown:

• Flat collars – These are the standard nylon and leather collars you see in pet stores for sell.
• Slip collars or chokers – These are often made from metal and come in a variety of sizes.
• Prong choker – These are like slip collars but have prongs on the ends that are used for corrective purposes.
• Head halters – These fit over the dogs head and act similar to a horse’s halter collar
• Harness – This type of “collar” doesn’t fit around the dog’s neck at all but around his upper body.

So which is best for leash training? Flat collars are good to have on your dog most of the time but they aren’t great for corrections. Slip and prong collars are some of the best. Prong collars are good for dogs with thick hair. Head halters are generally recommended by trainers but despised by dogs so it might be best to avoid them. Harnesses should never be used with dogs that have a lot of strength because it allows them to exert a lot of force on you. However, they are a perfect choice for dogs with small, fragile necks that could be injured using collars.

You should also invest in some dog treats that will help you with the training.

Leashing Training Steps

Good dog walking habits start before you even leave the house. You don’t want to try to work with a dog who is very excited so wait until your dog calms down before placing the collar and leash on him. This is a good habit to get into and is one your dog will quickly pick up on if you do it consistently.

When he is calm, make sure he is in a sitting position and place the collar and leash on him. If he gets excited again, you’ll have to wait again until he calms down. Then open the door you are going to be using to exit for the walk. Keep him seated. Open the door and step outside then call your dog to you (you’re still holding the leash this whole time, of course). If he gets up from the seated position before you call him, make him sit back down, calm down again, then repeat the process.

Once you are outside, you must work on keeping your dog’s head parallel to your leg. You don’t want even one of his ears to be in front of you. If that happens, pull up quickly and sharply on the leash to correct your dog. If he does not slow down or return to the correct position, turn around and start going the other way. You may have to do this many times until your dog starts to get the idea of where you want him to walk.

Corrections should also be done if your dog tries to stop when you do not want him to. However, you should also ask your dog to stop at random times so he will get used to heeling at your command.

Remember to praise your dog and give him treats when he does what you want to reinforce desired behaviors.

You should try to walk your dog at least two times per day for approximately 30 minutes each time. Some active dogs might even require longer periods of walking or additional outlets, such as a tread mill or dog park, to work out all of their energy.