How Can I Train A Dog To Walk On Leash?

You’re out on the street giving your dog a walk. How noble of you, it’s great that you’re a responsible pet owner and understand the role of exercise in your dogs physical and mental well-being. Maybe you’re asking, how can I train a dog to walk on leash?

The issue is that the doggy on the end of the leash is overexcited with the activity. They act like walking on a leash is a tug-of-war contest or a “pull as hard as you can” marathon? Well, don’t stress; teaching your dog to walk nicely on a lead is a rite of passage for all dog owners.

But with a little patience, some tasty treats, and a dash of humor, you’ll have your pup strutting their stuff in no time.

Train Dog To Walk On Leash The Right Way

#1. Get the Right Gear

First, it’s time to gear up. Think about the situation like you’re getting Fido ready for a career in professional walking.

Choosing the Perfect Leash and Collar

Dog Leash – The leash should be a standard design, non-retractable, and about 4–6 feet in length. Avoid retractable leashes, they grant your dog too much freedom to roam and are more difficult to use in training sessions.

Collar or Harness – A well-fitted collar is essential gear. But in some cases, dogs do better with a harness, especially when they’re strong at pulling. The front-clip harness also works to reduce pulling.

Pro Tip – You want the harness or collar to be tight, but loose enough to comfortably slide two fingers underneath it.

#2. Condition Your Puppy to the Leash

Before you head outdoors, get your dog used to their new gear at home. Put your dog on the leash and let them walk around the home wearing their harness or collar. This practice gets them used to the leash, helping them understand it’s part of their day and not something to freak out over.

Inside Leash Training

Make it Fun – Make clipping the leash on a fun, positive experience. Every time you place the leash on, give treats and praise.

Short Sessions – Practice walking around the house with the leash on for short periods of time. Try to keep sessions positive and stop while you’re ahead.

#3. Teach Basic Commands

Okay. Now that your dog is comfortable with the leash, it’s time for some basic commands to help the walk progress smoothly.

The Basic Leash Walking Commands

“Heel”: Instructs your dog to walk by your side. Begin by keeping a treat in your hand at hip level and when your dog moves into the position on your side, say “heel” then give them the treat and praise them.

“Sit”: Train your dog to sit and stay when commanded to do so. This is actually very handy in situations when you feel uneasy and you’d like your pet to stay still, for instance, when you’re standing on the corner at a traffic light, or when approaching strangers.

“Leave it”: This command stops your dog from investigating things on the route that might be potential harmful; to them, like a dead bird.

#4. Go Outside

Ready to head outside? Remember, all things come to those who wait. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is perfect leash walking.

Get Outside and Start Your Outdoor Adventures

Short Walks – Start by taking short walks in a quiet, low-key place. You might start in your front yard or a peaceful neighborhood street.

Positive Reinforcement – Bring plenty of small treats with you and reward them when your dog walks beside you and doesn’t pull.

If Your Dog Is Pulling

Stop and Go – When your dog pulls, just stop walking. Don’t start walking until there’s slack on the leash. This teaches your dog that pulling gets them nowhere.

Change Direction – This is effective when your dog is determined to pull like heck, suddenly shifting their focus.

#5. Practice, Practice, Practice

Training requires consistency, so think of leash walking as part of your daily routine and practice as often as possible.

Daily Training Tips

Daily Walks – This is vital; try taking your dog on a walk at least every day, more if possible.

Mix It Up – Take walks to various locations. Walk on quiet streets, busy parks, and even in different neighborhoods to teach your puppy how to walk well in all environments.

Be Patient – Training can be frustrating but look on the bright side. Dogs are practically hardwired to our emotional state and they emulate it in their behavior.

#6. Frequently Encountered Issues

So, let’s face it. Training isn’t always a piece of cake. Here are some common problems that you might face on your training journey.

Dog Gets Easily Distracted

High-Value Treats – If your dog is more interested in everything but you, bring out the big guns: special treats that they don’t get very often.

Practice Focus – Engage your dog with commands such as “look at me.”

Dog Is Anxious or Nervous

Baby Steps – Keep the walks short and sweet and take your time.

Confidence Building – Ensure you praise and reward your dog to build their confidence. Avoid areas with a lot of foot traffic or overwhelming conditions when starting out.

Overactive Dog

Burn Off Energy First – Run through a quick game of fetch or tug-of-war before your walk to help burn off some of that extra energy.

Regular Exercise – Make sure your dog is getting enough overall exercise. A tired dog makes a well-behaved dog.

#7. Celebrate Your Successes

Finally, praise those small successes. Every time the dog walks with a loose lead, it’s a success, and you should acknowledge it.

Make Up for Lost Time – Enjoy some playtime after the walk to properly tire them out.

Reinforcers – Special treats or toys are rewards for their work. Praise the dog and shower them with love, they’ll love the positive attention.

Unleash the Power of Online Training Platforms

Training your dog to walk with a leash is a tough yet rewarding experience. But you don’t have to do it on your own. Online dog training platforms deliver a resource to ensure you, and your furry friend see the training through to success.

Not only that, they provide videos and step-by-step guides, suggest expert tips, and create personalized training plans. The beautiful thing about online training platforms is the flexibility of learning at your own pace, on your own schedule, and in the comfort of your home.

These fully interactive training platforms make use of elements such as live webinars, Q&A sections, and community forums, to ask questions and share progress with other dog owners. So why not join an online training platform and change your chaotic walks into calm, enjoyable experiences for you and your pup? Happy training, and may your walks be filled with joy and wagging tails!